Bloom was born inBoston, Massachusetts, to Joel and Evelyn Bloom. She began as a pianist and drummer, later switching to thealto saxophone, and eventually settling on the soprano saxophone as her primary instrument.[1] She first began playing the saxophone at age 9, studying with woodwind virtuoso Joseph Viola, chair of theBerklee College of Music Woodwinds Department,[2] from 1968 to 1979, and studying music atYale University from which she received a liberal arts degree and a master's degree in music (1977). Following Yale, Bloom relocated toNew York City. She founded Outline Records while in New Haven and released several recordings under that label.[3]
She was the first musician to be commissioned by theNASA Art Program.[4] in 1989 she created three original musical compositions:Most Distant Galaxy, for soprano saxophone and live electronics, prepared tape, bass, drums, and electroacoustic percussion;Fire & Imagination, for soprano saxophone, improvisors, and chamber orchestra; andBeyond the Sky, for wind ensemble.[5][6][7]
Her 2013 release,Sixteen Sunsets, received a Grammy nomination for the 56th Grammy Awards in the Best Surround Sound category, with sound engineer Jim Anderson.[10]
Bloom won the Chamber Music America New Jazz Works award in 2015 for a new composition inspired by the 19th-century American poet Emily Dickinson.[11]
The resulting work, entitled "Wild Lines" premiered in 2016 to positive reviews.[12]
Bloom won the 2017 Grammy Award for Best Surround Sound category at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards for her album “Early Americans.”[13]
