 | Thisbiography of a living personneeds additionalcitations forverification. Please help by addingreliable sources.Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced orpoorly sourcedmust be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentiallylibelous. Find sources: "Philip Aaberg" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(March 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Philip Aaberg | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1949-04-08)April 8, 1949 (age 76) |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Piano |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Labels |
|
| Website | sweetgrassmusic |
Philip Aaberg (born April 8, 1949) is an Americanpianist andcomposer.[1] He gained international recognition through a series of successful piano recordings released onWindham Hill Records. Although classically trained, Aaberg incorporatesclassical,jazz,bluegrass, rock, and new music elements into his compositions and musical structures.[2] Although best known for his solo piano work, he is most at home in thechamber jazz genre. His compositions are noted for their "rigorous keyboard technique, diverse influences, and colorful compositional style."[3]
Aaberg was born inHavre, Montana, in 1949, and raised inChester, Montana.[3] By the age of 14, he was performing with local bands at dances.[4] Aaberg won aLeonard Bernstein Scholarship to study music at Harvard.[5] After receiving hisBachelor of Arts degree in music fromHarvard, he moved toOakland, California and played in blues clubs for several years.[6] He also toured and recorded as a member ofElvin Bishop's Group at the time of its greatest popularity, and co-wrote the title song of the band's 1976Struttin' My Stuff release, an album which also included Bishop's biggest hit, "Fooled Around and Fell in Love,"[7] featuring Aaberg on piano.[8][9]
In 1985, Aaberg signed a recording contract withWindham Hill Records and released a solo album titledHigh Plains. He followed this up with seven more solo albums: Out of the Frame (1988),Upright(1989),Cinema (1992). Aaberg also appeared regularly on the Windham Hill Sampler albums over the past 20 years and has had success in various collaborations and ensemble projects.[6]
Aaberg has performed with theBoston Pops Orchestra and has appeared at the Marlboro Chamber Music Festival. As a guest artist, he has performed on over 200 albums and on PBS's All-American Jazz program, which earned him anEmmy Award nomination. He has appeared withPeter Gabriel andTom Johnston of theDoobie Brothers in concert.[6]
| This section of abiography of a living persondoes notinclude anyreferences or sources. Please help by addingreliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourcedmust be removed immediately, especially if potentiallylibelous or harmful.(February 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
In 2000, Aaberg began his record label with his wife Patty, Sweetgrass Music, through which he has since endeavored to produce music that "connects a global audience to the sweeping landscape of the West." Releases includeField Notes (2000),Live from Montana (2000), which received a Grammy nomination,Christmas (2002),Blue West (2005), andHigh Plains Christmas (2013). Throughout his career, Aaberg has produced music that consistently translated Montana's farms, ranches, and native cultures into "musical concepts" and has "forged a unique keyboard style that paints an audible portrait of his home state."[2] Philip also produces a public radio program "Of the West: Creativity and Sense of Place". He received a Montana Governor's Award for the Arts and in 2011, received a Montana Arts Council Innovator Award. His score for "Class C: The Only Game in Town" was nominated for a regional Emmy. Philip and his wife, Patty, run Sweetgrass Music, the Great Northern Bed and Breakfast, the Westland Suite, and The Bin (recording studio).
Solo recordings
Collaborations
Guest appearances
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
