GLEN
VELEZ
SUMMARY BIOGRAPHY
The name Glen Velez is synonymous with the frame drum. He is regarded as one of the most influential percussionists and world music composers of our time and is largely responsible for increasing the popularity of frame drums in the United States and around the world. In 1983, the Remo Drum Co. developed a line of frame drums called the Glen Velez Signature Series, and the Cooperman Drum Co. introduced a hand made Signature Series Glen Velez Tambourine and Frame Drum line in 1999. Of Mexican-American ancestry, Velez started his career playing jazz on the drum set but soon gravitated to hand drums from around the world, seeking out teachers from many different musical traditions. Since then he has gained international recognition as a solo artist and is known for his 15 year recording and performing collaborations with composer Steve Reich and the Paul Winter Consort. John Cage acknowledged Velez' mastery when he wrote a solo frame drum piece especially for him in 1989. He has also collaborated with Tan Dun, the Israel Philharmonic, the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Suzanne Vega, Pat Metheny, Zakir Hussein, New York City Ballet, Orchestra of St. Luke's, and Orpheus Chamber Ensemble. His own compositions have been featured on National Public Radio's All Things Considered and have been commissioned by the Rockefeller Foundation and the Jerome Foundation. He has written music for theater and dance and recorded numerous albums on ECM, CBS, RCA, GRP, Warner Brothers, Deutsche Gramophone, Geffen, Nonesuch, Capital, and Sony
|
