John Eacott
Encyclopedia
John Eacott is a British composer
and Principal Lecturer in Music at the University of Westminster
.
, post-industrial metal bashers Test Dept
, Roman Holliday
, acid jazz group Vibraphonic, and a diverse array of artists including Damon Albarn
, Goldie
, Stereo MCs
, The The
, Georgie Fame
, Terry Edwards
and the Scapegoats.
Since the completion of his PhD in 2007, Eacott has focused on making accessible live performances using algorithmic composition
as part of his organisation Informal . Flood Tide, which premiered at Trinity Buoy Wharf, Docklands
in June 2008, is a musical performance generated by tidal flow. Flood Tide works by submerging a sensor into tidal water, the data from which is transformed by Eacott's custom computer software, into notation
read live from computer screens by musicians. Flood Tide has been performed ten times since its premiere, most notably at Southbank Centre's See Further-Festival of Science and Arts in 2010 and the Mayor's Thames Festival in 2009.
Eacott's work Hour Angle works from a similar system to Flood Tide, yet its notation is generated from the movement of the sun. Hour Angle performances include the summer solstice of 2010 at Royal Observatory Greenwich.
Informal have staged algorithmic works by John Eacott at venues including Royal Shakespeare Company
, The Mayor's Thames Festival, Southbank Centre and Royal Observatory Greenwich, and have worked with such organisations as Southbank Centre's vocal group Voicelab, and youth jazz musicians Tomorrow's Warriors.
Eacott's production, It's What You Make It, inaugurated the Soundscapes Theatre, is a 360-degree theatre equipped with 3D surround-sound.
In 1995, Eacott won funding for an Urban Music
summer school. In 2001, he lectured at Stetson University
. In 2008, he held a workshop about SuperCollider
. In 2010, Eacott took part in the Locus Sonus Symposium Sonification in Aix en Provence, France.
Eacott lectures in Contemporary Music at the University of Westminster
.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and Principal Lecturer in Music at the University of Westminster
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
.
Life
Eacott's career started in the 1980s with anarchic jazzers Loose TubesLoose Tubes
Loose Tubes was a British jazz big band/orchestra active during the mid-to-late 1980s. Critically and popularly acclaimed, the band was considered to bethe focal point of a 1980s renaissance in British jazz...
, post-industrial metal bashers Test Dept
Test Dept
Test Dept were an industrial music group from London, one of the most important and influential early industrial music acts. Their approach was marked by a strong commitment to radical socialist politics.-History:...
, Roman Holliday
Roman Holliday
Roman Holliday was a 1980s British band, whose style of music was a mixture of swing and pop. They are best known in the UK for their hit single, "Don't Try To Stop It", which reached number 14 in the UK Singles Chart in the summer of 1983...
, acid jazz group Vibraphonic, and a diverse array of artists including Damon Albarn
Damon Albarn
Damon Albarn is an English singer-songwriter and record producer who has been involved in many high profile projects, coming to prominence as the frontman and primary songwriter of Britpop band Blur...
, Goldie
Goldie
Clifford Joseph Price, better known as Goldie is an English electronic music artist, disc jockey, visual artist and actor. He is well known for his innovations in the jungle and drum and bass music genres, having previously gained exposure for his work as a graffiti artist...
, Stereo MCs
Stereo MCs
Stereo MCs are an English electronic dance group, which formed in Clapham, London in 1985. They are best known worldwide for their 1992 transatlantic Top 20 hit single, "Connected"...
, The The
The The
The The are an English musical and multimedia group that have been active in various forms since 1979, with singer/songwriter Matt Johnson being the only constant band member.-Early years :...
, Georgie Fame
Georgie Fame
Georgie Fame is a British rhythm and blues and jazz singer and keyboard player. The one-time rock and roll tour musician, who had a string of 1960s hits, is still a popular performer, often working with contemporaries such as Van Morrison and Bill Wyman.-Early life:Fame took piano lessons from the...
, Terry Edwards
Terry Edwards
Terry Edwards is an English musician.Edwards gained a degree in music from the University of East Anglia in 1982, where he was also a founding member of The Higsons. He produced and played on the debut album by Yeah Jazz "Six Lane Ends"...
and the Scapegoats.
Since the completion of his PhD in 2007, Eacott has focused on making accessible live performances using algorithmic composition
Algorithmic composition
Algorithmic composition is the technique of using algorithms to create music.Algorithms have been used to compose music for centuries; the procedures used to plot voice-leading in Western counterpoint, for example, can often be reduced to algorithmic determinacy...
as part of his organisation Informal . Flood Tide, which premiered at Trinity Buoy Wharf, Docklands
Docklands
Docklands is the semi-official name for an area in east London, England. It forms part of the boroughs of Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Newham and Greenwich. The docks were formerly part of the Port of London, at one time the world's largest port. They have now been redeveloped principally for...
in June 2008, is a musical performance generated by tidal flow. Flood Tide works by submerging a sensor into tidal water, the data from which is transformed by Eacott's custom computer software, into notation
Musical notation
Music notation or musical notation is any system that represents aurally perceived music, through the use of written symbols.-History:...
read live from computer screens by musicians. Flood Tide has been performed ten times since its premiere, most notably at Southbank Centre's See Further-Festival of Science and Arts in 2010 and the Mayor's Thames Festival in 2009.
Eacott's work Hour Angle works from a similar system to Flood Tide, yet its notation is generated from the movement of the sun. Hour Angle performances include the summer solstice of 2010 at Royal Observatory Greenwich.
Informal have staged algorithmic works by John Eacott at venues including Royal Shakespeare Company
Royal Shakespeare Company
The Royal Shakespeare Company is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs 700 staff and produces around 20 productions a year from its home in Stratford-upon-Avon and plays regularly in London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and on tour across...
, The Mayor's Thames Festival, Southbank Centre and Royal Observatory Greenwich, and have worked with such organisations as Southbank Centre's vocal group Voicelab, and youth jazz musicians Tomorrow's Warriors.
Eacott's production, It's What You Make It, inaugurated the Soundscapes Theatre, is a 360-degree theatre equipped with 3D surround-sound.
In 1995, Eacott won funding for an Urban Music
Urban contemporary
Urban contemporary is a music radio format. The term was coined by the late New York DJ Frankie Crocker in the mid 1970s. Urban contemporary radio stations feature a playlist made up entirely of hip hop/rap, contemporary R&B, pop, electronica such as dubstep and drum and bass and Caribbean music...
summer school. In 2001, he lectured at Stetson University
Stetson University
Stetson University is a private university with four colleges and schools located across the I-4 corridor in Central Florida. The primary undergraduate campus is located in DeLand, Florida, USA. In the 2012 U.S...
. In 2008, he held a workshop about SuperCollider
Supercollider
A Supercollider is a high energy particle accelerator. The term may refer to:* Superconducting Super Collider, planned 80 km project in Texas, canceled in 1993...
. In 2010, Eacott took part in the Locus Sonus Symposium Sonification in Aix en Provence, France.
Eacott lectures in Contemporary Music at the University of Westminster
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
.
Works
As well as Flood Tide and Hour Angle, previous algorithmic / generative works include The Street, an interactive sound environment (2000), Morpheus, a CD Rom of generative electronica (2001), and Intelligent Street, in which users alter a public sound environment by sending text messages (2003).Algorithmic works
- Flood Tide - music generated live from tidal flow.
- Hour Angle - music generated live from the declinationDeclinationIn astronomy, declination is one of the two coordinates of the equatorial coordinate system, the other being either right ascension or hour angle. Declination in astronomy is comparable to geographic latitude, but projected onto the celestial sphere. Declination is measured in degrees north and...
and hour angleHour angleIn astronomy and celestial navigation, the hour angle is one of the coordinates used in the equatorial coordinate system to give the position of a point on the celestial sphere....
of the sun. - Intelligent Street - a work where users can affect soundscape by sending text messages.
- Diffusion - a package of generative jingles for radio station Resonance FM.
- Emotions - nominated for BAFTA in 2002.
- Morpheus - an album of generative tunes published by mushimushi.
Theatre
- 1992 GormenghastGormenghast seriesThe Gormenghast series comprises three novels by Mervyn Peake, featuring Castle Gormenghast, and Titus Groan, the title character of the first book.-Works in the series:...
for the David Glass Ensemble - 2002 Royal Shakespeare CompanyRoyal Shakespeare CompanyThe Royal Shakespeare Company is a major British theatre company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England. The company employs 700 staff and produces around 20 productions a year from its home in Stratford-upon-Avon and plays regularly in London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and on tour across...
production of Timon of AthensTimon of AthensThe Life of Timon of Athens is a play by William Shakespeare about the fortunes of an Athenian named Timon , generally regarded as one of his most obscure and difficult works...
arrangements.
Film scores
- Caught Looking (1991)
- North of Vortex (1991)
- A Bit of Scarlet (1997)
- Escape to Life with Vanessa RedgraveVanessa RedgraveVanessa Redgrave, CBE is an English actress of stage, screen and television, as well as a political activist.She rose to prominence in 1961 playing Rosalind in As You Like It with the Royal Shakespeare Company and has since made more than 35 appearances on London's West End and Broadway, winning...
(2000) - AlfieAlfieAlfie is a 1966 British film directed by Lewis Gilbert, starring Michael Caine. It is an adaptation by Bill Naughton of his own novel and play of the same name. The film was released by Paramount Pictures....
starring Jude LawJude LawDavid Jude Heyworth Law , known professionally as Jude Law, is an English actor, film producer and director.He began acting with the National Youth Music Theatre in 1987, and had his first television role in 1989...
(2003) (jazz club) arrangements.
Television soundracks
- 3 Steps to Heaven (1995)
- In the Footsteps of Alexander the Great BBC2 documentary series (1997)