RMC appoints Barry Guy
Barry Guy (born April 22, 1947) is a central figure on the European improvisation music scene. With his many years as a trendsetting double bass player, improv musician and composer in the intersection between contemporary scores and free jazz, he has had great importance for the development and renewal of these genres, including as founder and artistic director of the London Jazz Composers Orchestra.
With the honorary title Barry Guy will periodically conduct workshops and master classes at RMC, giving the conservatory and music community access to his unique skills.
Barry Guy has composed, toured and recorded with a wide range of small and large ensembles since the late 1960s. His music is a distinctive synthesis of many stylistic influences, driven by exceptionally solid craftsmanship, playful curiosity and desire to experiment.
As a bassist Barry Guy has inspired several generations of double bass players with his virtuoso playing methods driven by innovative techniques and timbre manipulations. He has previously taught at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama (London) and has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Middlesex University (London).
"Barry Guy will be a great inspiration for students and teachers at RMC. He has an incredibly wide view as a musician, composer and innovator, from European classical music and contemporary scoring, on to jazz and free improvisation, which will contribute to emphasize the conservatory’s core values and vision," says Henrik Sveidahl, principal of RMC.
Barry Guy follows alternative rock icon Thurston Moore and jazz star Jason Moran as the third in a series of new appointments of honorary professors at RMC.
The goal is to assign a collegium of music industry personalities at the highest international level which together covers the width of RMC - both within the genres and professions in contemporary rhythmic music. RMC expects to introduce one or two additional honorary professors in 2017.
"The collegium of honorary professors at RMC is a noticeable contribution to the conservatory’s vision of being a pacesetter among the world's leading educational institutions in contemporary rhythmic music," says Henrik Sveidahl.
Read more about the appointment of Jason Moran as Honorary Professor at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory HERE
Read more about the appointment of Thurston Moore as Honorary Professor at the Rhythmic Music Conservatory HERE
