Jeffrey Gavett

Biography

Jeffrey Gavett, baritone, is dedicated to the creation and presentation of new music as composer, performer and improviser. He has performed with a broad range of collaborators, ranging from the indie rock group Clogs to new music groups Ensemble de Sade, ICE, SEM Ensemble, Signal, Talea Ensemble, and Wet Ink Ensemble. His own ensemble loadbang has premiered more than 15 new works in the past two years, working closely with composers to create a repertoire for its unique instrumentation (trumpet, trombone, bass clarinet, baritone voice). He has worked with such composers as Nick Didkovsky, Reiko Füting, Liza Lim, Somei Satoh, Steven Takasugi, David Lang, and Terry Riley, performing the music of the latter two at the 2008 Bang on a Can Summer festival, where he was a fellow.

Since his arrival in New York, Mr. Gavett has sung many premieres, including Somei Satoh's The Passion and Matt Marks's The Adventures of Albert Fish; US premieres of Liza Lim's Chang-O, Philip Maintz's Fluchtlinie, and Steven Takasugi's Strange Autumn; and works by Nils Vigeland and Susan Botti in a performance at Zankel Hall. Recently he performed at Merkin Hall with Signal, under the direction of Brad Lubman. In this performance he sang the US premiere of Harrison Birwistle's scena The Corridor and the premiere of Nico Muhly's Stabat Mater, and was praised for his "attractive" voice by the New York Times. In 2008 he was involved in the World Premiere of the full version of Xenakis's Oresteia, which took place at Miller Theater, featuring ICE conducted by Steven Osgood; Mr. Gavett sang in the chorus and covered the twin roles of Kassandra and Athena, later performing the complete role in concert.

As a composer, Mr. Gavett has had his works performed at the Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival, Issue Project Room, Manhattan School of Music, The Stone, and The Tank. He is a winner of the R and R Young Composition Prize of Westminster Choir College. His work involves the juxtaposition of rules and randomness, microtonality, and computer aided composition.

Mr. Gavett is also an accomplished ensemble singer, having performed with VOX Ensemble, the choirs of St. Thomas and St. Bartholomew's Churches, and symphonic choruses under conductors such as Harry Bicket, Charles Dutoit, and Lorin Maazel. During his time as an undergraduate at Westminster Choir College he was a member of the Westminster Choir and Westminster Kantorei. He graduated Summa cum Laude, receiving prizes in voice, composition, and German. He recently completed his studies with Lucy Shelton as part of the inaugural class of Manhattan School of Music's Contemporary Performance Program.

In his spare time, Mr. Gavett is a computer hobbyist, and is interested in the intersection of music and technology, ranging from recording to interactive electronics.

Short bio

Jeffrey Gavett, baritone, is a composer, performer, and improviser living in New York City. He holds degrees in Voice and Contemporary Performance from Westminster Choir College and Manhattan School of Music.

Tiny bio

Jeffrey Gavett sings new things