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Holland_Festival_componist_Steve_Reich_kop,_Bestanddeelnr_928-6490

October 3rd

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Steve Reich Born October 3, 1936

Music for 18 Musicians

Steve Reich
By Hans Peters for Anefo – http://proxy.handle.net/10648/ac867f40-d0b4-102d-bcf8-003048976d84, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=65869252

Stephen Michael Reich, born on October 3, 1936, is an influential American composer renowned for his contributions to minimal music during the 1960s. His compositions exhibit distinctive features such as repetition and innovative structures. In his essay, “Music as a Gradual Process,” Reich expresses his fascination with music that evolves perceptibly over time. Early works like It’s Gonna Rain and Come Out utilised tape loops, creating a unique sound through phase shifting, where musical phrases gradually fall out of sync.

Reich’s landmark pieces, such as Drumming and Music for 18 Musicians, showcase intricate patterns and rhythms, with influences from various musical traditions. His style later incorporated themes from his Jewish heritage, as seen in Different Trains, which contrasts his childhood train journeys with the haunting experiences of children during the Holocaust. Today, Reich’s innovative techniques continue to inspire many composers and musicians around the world, solidifying his legacy as one of the key figures in contemporary music.

Mike_Post_(born_1944)_in_a_2024_interview_for_Popdust

September 29th

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Mike Post Born 29 September 1944

Quantum Leap Theme

Hill Street Blues Theme

Mike Post
By POPDUST, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=163033858

Mike Post, born Leland Michael Postil on September 29, 1944, is a renowned American composer celebrated for his captivating television theme music. He has created memorable themes for popular shows such as The Rockford Files, Law & Order, and Magnum, P.I. His musical journey began early; he first made waves with the hit single “Popsicles and Icicles” in 1964. By age 23, he won his first Grammy Award for the instrumental arrangement of “Classical Gas.”

Post’s contributions to television music are significant. He earned acclaim for the theme of The Rockford Files, which became a hit, reaching number 10 on the U.S. charts. His innovative sound for the Law & Order series, marked by the iconic “dun, dun,” has become widely recognised in popular culture. Over the years, he has collaborated with well-known artists like Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton, and even composed for BBC’s sitcom Mammoth. His work continues to influence the world of television music.

Vincent_Youmans

September 27th

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Vincent Youmans 27 September 1898 – 5 April 1946

Tea for Two

Vincent Youmans
By https://thebsreport.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/vincent-youmans.jpg, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=50127022

Vincent Millie Youmans was a celebrated American composer and producer born on September 27, 1898, in New York City. He became one of Broadway’s leading composers, known for his collaborations with talented lyricists like Ira Gershwin and Oscar Hammerstein II. Youmans created memorable music, many of which became popular standards. His early pieces featured short melodic phrases, but he later embraced longer, more complex melodies.

Youmans began his career as a song-plugger in Tin Pan Alley and gained fame with his hit songs from musicals such as “No, No, Nanette” and “Tea for Two,” which captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. Despite his success, Youmans faced challenges in his personal life, including struggles with alcoholism and health issues. Sadly, he battled tuberculosis for many years, which ultimately led to his retirement in 1934.

Extreme,_Tons_of_Rock,_Oslo_Norway_(53843209558)

September 20th

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Nuno Bettencourt Born September 20, 1966

More Than Words

Nuno Bettencourt
By Birgit Fostervold from Arendal, Norge – Extreme, Tons of Rock, Oslo Norway, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=155101137

Nuno Duarte Gil Mendes Bettencourt, born on September 20, 1966, in Portugal, is a talented Portuguese-American guitarist, best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Extreme. He joined this Boston-based group in 1985 and contributed to their debut album, “Extreme,” released in 1989. Bettencourt’s exceptional skills earned him accolades, including recognition as the 197th greatest guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.

Beyond Extreme, Bettencourt has been involved in various musical projects, such as Mourning Widows, DramaGods, and Satellite Party. He has worked with famous artists like Janet Jackson and Dweezil Zappa, showcasing his versatility in the music industry. Nuno’s distinct style and innovative guitar playing continue to influence many aspiring musicians today. He remains a celebrated figure in rock music history.

Hans-Zimmer-profile

September 12th

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Hans Zimmer Born 12 September 1957

Paul's Dream

Time

F1

Hans Zimmer
By ColliderVideo, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74281970

Hans Zimmer, born on 12 September 1957 in Frankfurt, Germany, is a celebrated film composer and music producer. He has created the music for over 150 films, winning two Academy Awards, a BAFTA, and five Grammy Awards. Zimmer’s most notable works include the scores for The Lion King (1994) and Dune (2021), both of which earned him Oscars for Best Original Score. He is renowned for blending electronic music with traditional orchestral sounds, revolutionising film scores since the 1980s.

Zimmer began playing the piano as a child, but disliked formal lessons, preferring to teach himself. His passion for film music grew when he listened to his favourite film composer, Ennio Morricone. He moved to London as a teenager and started his career writing advertising jingles, eventually collaborating with film directors like Christopher Nolan on multiple occasions. His innovation and creativity have made his music iconic, enhancing many beloved films and influencing future composers around the world.

Portrait_of_Charlie_Parker_in_1947

August 29th

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Charlie Parker 29 August 1920 – 12 March 1955

Confirmation

Charlie Parker
By William P. Gottlieb – https://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/4843755786/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=20705291

Charles Parker Jr., known as “Bird”, was an American jazz musician born on August 29, 1920. He played the alto saxophone and became one of the most important figures in jazz history. Parker was a key developer of bebop, a style of jazz that is fast-paced and highly intricate. His innovative approach introduced new rhythms, fast chord changes, and unique harmony in his music.

Parker was raised in Kansas City, where he began playing the saxophone at the age of 11. His love for music grew as he joined local jazz bands and participated in jam sessions. He faced many challenges, including his father’s struggles with alcoholism and his own addiction to drugs later in life. Despite these challenges, Parker’s talent shone through and he made significant contributions to music.

His compositions, such as “Yardbird Suite” and “Ornithology”, are still celebrated today. Parker’s music transformed jazz into an expressive art form and he inspired many musicians.

Dolly Parton

August 25th: Dolly Parton

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Dolly Parton 19 January 1946 – 25 August 2026

Jolene

9 to 5

Dolly Parton
By RCA Records – eBayfrontback, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54429601

Dolly Parton was an American singer, songwriter, actress and businesswoman. She became famous for country music, but her work reached film, television and theatre too. She wrote songs such as Jolene, I Will Always Love You and 9 to 5. Many people called her the Queen of Country because she sold more than 100 million records and won many awards.

Dolly grew up in a poor family in Tennessee. As a child, she loved singing in church and learnt guitar early. She worked hard, moved to Nashville after school, and began writing songs for other singers. Later, her own career grew, and she performed on stage and on screen.

Dolly also used her success to help others. She founded the Dollywood Foundation and the Imagination Library, which sends books to children. This charity shows her belief that reading matters. She also supported hospitals, disaster relief and other good causes.

Louis_Prima_crop

August 24th

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Louis Prima December 7, 1910 – August 24, 1978

Sing,Sing,Sing (With a Swing)

Louis Prima
By William P. Gottlieb – This image has been extracted from another file, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15641500

Louis Prima was an American trumpeter and singer born in 1910 in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in a musical Italian-American family, with his mother ensuring that he learned to play instruments. He initially played the violin before discovering jazz and the trumpet. In the 1930s, Prima formed his own jazz band, blending different styles of music, including jazz and swing. He famously recorded the piece “Sing, Sing, Sing,” which became a huge hit for Benny Goodman.

Throughout his career, Prima embraced his Sicilian roots by incorporating Italian music and language into his songs, which was quite unique at the time. He performed in various venues, including lively clubs in Las Vegas, where he became a popular entertainer. One of his most notable achievements was providing the voice for King Louie, an orangutan in Disney’s “The Jungle Book.” Prima’s vibrant personality and fusion of styles left a lasting impact on the world of music, influencing many artists who followed.

Count_Basie

August 21st: Count Basie

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Count Basie 21 August 1904 – 26 April 1984

One O'Clock Jump

Count Basie
By James J. Kriegsmann – Scan via Heritage Auctions. Cropped and retouched by uploader; see upload history below for unretouched cropped version, or compare the full untouched scan with original margins (see “other versions”). Other information via the Library of Congress, which holds a copy of the photograph (LCCN 00650704)., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=99710525

Count Basie was an American jazz musician who became famous for leading a big band. Born in 1904 in New Jersey, he learned piano from his mother and loved music from an early age. As a young man, he played in Harlem, toured with travelling shows, and worked hard to improve his skill.

In Kansas City, Basie joined the Bennie Moten band and later formed his own orchestra. His group became known for a strong rhythm section, lively riffs, and clever arrangements. Basie also used two tenor saxophones, which gave the music a richer sound. One of his best-known pieces was One O’Clock Jump.

Basie helped many other musicians become famous, including Lester Young, Freddie Green and Joe Williams. He worked with singers such as Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, and his band entertained audiences for many years. Count Basie died in 1984, but his music is still remembered as an important part of jazz history.

Christina_Perri_@_Grammy_Museum_07_11_2022_(52300441692)

August 19th

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Christina Perri Born 19 August 1986

A Thousand Years

Christina Perri
By Justin Higuchi – Christina Perri @ Grammy Museum 07/11/2022, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=122228957

Christina Perri is an American singer and songwriter, born on August 19, 1986. She first gained fame with her song “Jar of Hearts,” which was featured on the dance show So You Think You Can Dance in 2010. After this breakthrough, she signed with Atlantic Records and released her first EP, The Ocean Way Sessions. Her debut album, Lovestrong, came out in 2011 and has been certified platinum.

Perri is well-known for her romantic ballad “A Thousand Years,” which was written for the film The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2. The song sold over 10 million copies and the music video reached two billion views on YouTube by December 2021. In addition to her successes, Christina has released several albums and EPs, including lullaby collections for her daughters. She moved to Los Angeles at the age of 21 to follow her dreams, facing challenges along the way, but continues to inspire many with her heartfelt music.

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