BIO AND ARTISTS
Patricia Burgess is a multimedia artist, composer and producer.
A jazz saxophonist, Burgess incorporates classical forms and harmonic language into her work. She merges computer generated sound environments with Tibetan traditional music, creating a new eclectic synthesis. Her work Reflections of the Watermoon premiered at Merkin Concert Hall. Music for theater classics include Hamlet and The Seagull.
Working in opera and theater led to collaborations with poets, dancers, theater directors, actors and visual artists. Her current work is focused on mixed media and creating event installations. Awards include the National Endowment for the Arts, Meet the Composer, New York State Council of the Arts and Lower Manhattan Cultural Center.
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Patricia Burgess Multimedia Works
2009
AMELIA’S FLIGHT - GLOBAL CONNECTIONS, a shaman from Dakar, talking drums, sitars, Tibetan bells and improvisations by Patricia Burgess concluding with her composition on the Noble Liberator Tara, Spokane Falls Community College
WOODSTOCK, THE ANNIVERSARY - Patricia Burgess, saxophone, Woodstock, NY
AMELIA’S FLIGHT - A Tribute to Amelia Earhart, a multimedia installation created by Patricia Burgess and Ina Kozel, performed by the Watermoon Arts Ensemble at Top of the Rock Observation Tower, Rockefeller Center, New York
CONCERTS IN LAS TERRANAS AND SANTA DOMINGO - Patricia Burgess, saxophone, The Dominican Republic
2008
NOTHING WITHOUT A WOMAN, a multidisciplinary jazz suite with mock radio interviews celebrating unconventional women. Composer/ Saxophonist Patricia Burgess and Vocalist Cara Angela Liguori, St Peter’s Episcopal Church.
2007
MOON, a collaboration with Dario Vaccaro for saxophone, bass and an electric wind instrument, Dance New Amsterdam. Made possible in part through Meet the Composer and the New York State Council of the Arts
2006
NO FEAR, based on The Liberator Noble Tara, Roberta Pickford, piano, Alex Coke and Burgess, saxophones, Atlantic Center for the Arts
FRIENDS for big band based on a slave song, lead by Sam Rivers, Atlantic Center for the Arts
2005
REFELECTIONS OF THE WATERMOON, workshops in Mt. Abu, India
PRAYER FLAGS, Burgess, saxophone
THE WHOLE WIDTH, Pamela Z, vocals and Burgess, saxophone
2003
REFLECTIONS OF THE WATERMOON, Atlantic Center for the Arts, aerial dance performance with Joanna Haigood of Zaccho Dance Theater
REFLECTIONS OF THE WATERMOON, an interdisciplinary opera for 7 women and baritone. With Joan La Barbara, Robin Sneider, Alexandra Sweeton, Daniel Neer, Catherine Gale, Beth Cullinane, Michal Cohen and Amy Cervini at Merkin Concert Hall in NYC.
1999
MILEREPA, the story of Milarepa, a Tibetan saint and the most beloved poet of Tibet Libretto
1997
NAGARJUNA & SCHOENBERG, this libretto compares the thinking process of Nagarjuna, an ancient Indian scholar, with Arnold Schoenberg.
1995
SKY DANCER, a libretto using musique concrete from sounds recorded by Burgess in modern Bhutan, Nepal and India to emphasize the timelessness of Yeshe Tsogyel’s life
THE SKY UNVEILED, a libretto about the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots of World War II.
1994
VENUS OF WILLENDORF II, music for theatre and video by Ariane Smith and Mark McKenna; Synthesizers, drum machines and percussion
LYSISTRATA -THE HUMAN CARTOON, collaboration with Ariane Smith and Mark McKenna; Piano, electric piano, synthesizers, bass, trumpet, trombone, tuba, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, percussion, Sound FX; Toontheatre CO., N.Y.
1993
THE DREAM OF THE FOUR DIRECTIONS, an interdisciplinary opera, Eleven voices, synthesizer, guitar, tenor sax, upright bass, drums; Medicine Show, Burgess, Jack DeSalvo, Tony DeSisto and Bruce Ditmas
THE DECAMERON I & II, a collaboration with Ariane Smith; Piano, electric piano, bass, drums, percussion, accordion, trombone, trumpet and tenor saxophone; Theater Row, NYC
1992
VENUS OF WILLENDORF I, music for video by Ariane Smith and Mark McKenna; Synthesizers, drum machines, percussion, SFX; Tribeca Performing Arts
1988
THE RIVERMAN, Piano, strings, trumpet, horn, bass and percussion; Independent Theater Company, New York, NY; Director Anne DeMare
THE BALCONY, Piano, bass, drums, accordion, violin, war sound effects and vibes; Independent Theater Company, New York, NY; Director Anne DeMare
HAMLET, Orchestra plus synthesizers; Independent Theater Company, New York, NY; Director Anne DeMare
TROJAN WOMEN, Taiko drums, timpani, percussion ensemble, synthesizers, strings and French horn section; Independent Theater Company, New York, NY; Director Anne DeMare
1987
JEST, SATIRE, IRONY AND DEEPER SIGNIFICANCE, Piano, bass, drums, string quartet, tenor saxophone, trombone, tuba and percussion; Independent Theater Company, New York, NY; Director Anne DeMare
THE GHOST SONATA, Synthesizers, percussion and electric guitar; Independent Theater Company, New York, NY; Director Anne DeMare
THE SEAGULL, Piano, acoustic guitar, alto flute and string quartet; Independent Theater Company, New York, NY; Director Anne DeMare
MACHINAL, Percussion ensemble, piano, bass and industrial SFX; Independent Theater Company, New York, NY; Director Anne DeMare
1986
LAISONS DANGEUREUSES, Modified for accordion and tenor saxophone; Patricia Burgess and Pauline Oliveros; Experimental Intermedia in New York
LAISONS DANGEUREUSES, collaboration with Wiska Radkiewicz. Piano, microphone and tenor saxophone; Patricia Burgess and Wiska Radkiewicz; Princeton University
1985
THE GAME OF REBIRTH, theater piece for 5 synthesized sound environments from 5 locations with live musician; Patricia Burgess; NYC Dharmadhatu
58 MINUTES, Magnetic tape with live drums, saxophone, synthesizer, soprano and dancer; First performance Donna and Helen Decker, Bruce Ditmas, Keith Gardner and Patricia Burgess; Snug Harbor, Staten Island
1984
PORT OF ENTRY, a collaboration with Steve Clorefeine for tenor saxophone, actress, architect and director; First performance Steve Clorefeine and Patricia Burgess; Art on the Beach for Creative Times