Kyle simpson
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“The music keeps unfolding, like a magic carpet: its function is always to support the narrated text.”
Kyle Simpson
Kyle Simpson, composer, trumpet player, and bandleader, is a graduate from Lawrence Conservatory of Music in Appleton, WI and The University of Montana in Missoula, MT. His composition teachers were Fred Sturm at Lawrence and Charles Nichols at The University of Montana. Simpson has written many works for large jazz groups, chamber jazz groups, solo trumpet, synthesized electronic music, Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble. His compositions have been featured at the Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival in Missoula, where he also performed with Lew Soloff and Paquito D'Rivera. Other compositions have been featured at the Fête de la Musique Ile d'Yeu, France(2011), Atlantic Music Festival (2017), Alba Music Festival, Italy (2016), Uzmah Upbeat Croatia (2014), Charlotte New Music Festival (2013), Ostrava Days Czech Republic (2011), and The Henry Mancini Institute(2006), Los Angeles. Simpson’s music has been described as, “lively with rhythmic vitality” and also, “lyrical with a brooding elegance.”
Simpson currently resides outside of Pittsburgh, PA where he is an Assistant Professor teaching instrumental music at Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA. He is also presently in the DMA program in composition at West Virginia University studying with Dr. Joseph Dangerfield and Dr. Sarana Chou.
Film & Media Composer
For the past 10 years, Simpson has made forays into film music. He was awarded a Film Music Scholarship in New York City at the NYU/ASCAP Film Scoring workshop, where he worked one-on-one with film composers Mark Snow, Ron Sadoff, and Ira Newborn. He also just returned from a Film Music Workshop in Southwest California (Palomar Film Music Workshop) working with composers Roger Neil and Larry Groupé in learning more about the craft of film & media composition. Simpson has also worked regionally with filmmakers John Cantine and Tom Kurlander in scoring videos and short films in Pittsburgh (see Media and Film Scoring).
Events
December 1st at 8pm and December 2nd at 3pm 2018, Trinity Senior High School, Washington, PA. The Washington Symphony Orchestra will feature Kyle Simpson’s original music in their holiday concert entitled HO HO HO with the WSO.
December 14th 2018 at 7:30pm, Wallace’s Whiskey Room & Kitchen at Hotel Indigo, East Liberty Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh-based contemporary jazz group Kyle Simpson Jazz Collective presents the best of Christmas jazz classics. It is a joy to hear the group play many of the Holiday favorites we thought we all know so well, yet the Kyle Simpson Jazz Collective might pleasantly surprise you with their original approach to holiday jazz, including favorites of Duke Ellington's version of the Nutcracker. Join us at the Wallace's Whiskey Room to experience the holiday cheer. Admission is free.
News
In this section you can read about the different projects in which Kyle has participated.
Kyle Simpson collaborates yet again with the Pittsburgh’s famous Carnegie Science Center
Carnegie Science Center’s educational program Science on the Road brings science to kids all over the United States, and Kyle is currently in the process of scoring the music for Science on the Road’s newest game show.
Premiere of new orchestral work that highlights Pittsburgh's history
Premiere with Washington, PA Symphony
In 2012 Kyle Simpson premiered his symphonic work with the Washington PA Symphony. The piece was called "They Stepped Through the Fire."
Kyle Simpson releases newest jazz album
W&J professor releases jazz album
During his undergraduate studies at Lawrence Conservatory of Music in Appleton, Wis., Washington & Jefferson College assistant professor of music Kyle Simpson had one goal: He wanted to be the best at music with the hope that it would take him places in the competitive industry.
Collaboration with actor/director Tom Kurlander
PROFESSOR’S MUSIC TO APPEAR IN GROUND-BREAKING DOCUMENTARY ON ALZHEIMER’S
W&J Assistant Professor of Music Kyle Simpson, along with Pittsburgh-based musician and filmmaker Tom Kurlander, is composing the music for 21Voices: Touched by Alzheimer’s. Kurlander is producing this new documentary to raise awareness about how Alzheimer’s affects families and caregivers as well as patients. The film will feature twenty-one interviewees chosen for their distinct purview and experience with Alzheimer’s and dementia, including patients, families, caretakers, first responders and researchers.
Something In Between
by Kyle Simpson Jazz Collective
Newest Release featuring original composition with big band and chamber groups.
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Kyle Simpson Jazz Collective
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Kyle Simpson Jazz Collective
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Kyle Simpson Jazz Collective
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Kyle Simpson Jazz Collective
Current Film & Media Scoring Projects:
8dio Scoring Competition: Constellations
Using only 8dio sample libraries, I tried to illuminate the magic and sense of wonder I have always had about space and the infinite beyond. I hope you enjoy this interpretation of 8dio’s Constellations.
All of the suddens exhibition at Pittsburgh Glass Center
A Short film entitled “All of the Suddens” is now screening at the Pittsburgh Glass Center as a part of master glass artist Kelly O’Dell’s exhibition. The film was made in collaboration with JumpStart Films. Directed and produced by Tom Kurlander. Music by Kyle Simpson.
Carnegie Science Center Promo: Science on the Road,
Music by Kyle Simpson
Van Gogh in Motion scored by Kyle Simpson
This video art is so beautiful, I decided try my own score to this already beautiful work. The original music in the video is incredible, gorgeous, and very fitting. In no way was this attempt to outdo the original, but I was so moved by the images, I wanted to write some music for it.
Aftermath short film by John Cantine
Here's a short film I helped score, creating Beginning and End credits for director John Cantine's film Aftermath. Featuring performances by the Freya Quartet.
Reference Point webseries by John Cantine
I have been scoring the webseries created by Pittsburgh Filmmakers Director John Cantine: Check out Season 1, Season 2 is also now available as well. Reference Point Series.
Synopsis of Season 1: When Zannie West (Alex April) is hired as librarian at a small arts school, she finds herself surrounded by a whole workplace of wacky neighbors, including her boss Bill Dailey (Frank D. Wilson). With the help of her new friend Tori (Cassidy Adkins) can she bring order to the library, or is there more going on than meets the eye?
Reference Point is a web series created by John Cantine, Samantha Rayward, and Erin Sanderson.
This has been really fun and exciting to score. Season 1 presents lots of different challenges than Season 2, you'll have to watch it to see all the different aspects between the two seasons.
Composer for Podcast:
Science News and Questions (SNAQ)
Carnegie Science Center Production: Hosted by Charissa Sedor and Ralph Crewe
Podcast can be found by clicking on the button below: