Gary Prince
Guitarist Gary Prince is an active performer and educator in the Washington, DC area, specializing in improvised music across genres. As a resident fellow at Bloombars, Gary both runs and organizes Guitars Not Guns (Sundays 3:00-4:00), and leads the meditation group (Sundays 4:30-5:30); besides appearing regularly at Seed the Sound and other events.
In December of 2009 Gary completed and self-released his first full-length CD of all improvised music with saxophonist Kate Olson, Improvised Duets. All of the music on the album was created without any predetermined music qualities, moods, or goals. This album speaks to the heights of expression and creativity possible when two master musicians and close friends improvise without boundaries. The CD is available both at Bloombars and online through www.myspace.com/freeimprovisation.
During the week, Gary is on the guitar faculty of the Levine School of Music, where he teaches contemporary electric and acoustic guitar styles in private lesson, class, and workshop formats. As a performer in the DC area, Gary plays regularly with groups and on recordings in styles ranging from electric blues to acoustic folk to free improvisation, and is an active composer of original material for solo guitar.
A graduate of the University of Michigan, Gary holds degrees in both Jazz & Contemplative Studies and Psychology. As a member of the Creative Arts Orchestra at the University of Michigan, he played with artists including Pauline Oliveros, Oliver Lake, Steve Coleman, Henry Grimes, Arthur Blythe, and Nichole Mitchell. An active member of the International Society for Improvising Musicians (ISIM), Gary has been a performer at the 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 ISIM conferences, leading his own ensembles at both the 2008 and 2009 events. A native to the Washington, DC metro area, Gary has been living in the city since September, 2008.
Music links:
www.myspace.com/freeimporvisation
www.myspace.com/improvisersanonymous
www.myspace.com/garyprince
