Philip Aaberg
Encyclopedia
Philip Aaberg is an American pianist, keyboardist, and composer. He gained international recognition through a series of successful piano recordings released on Windham Hill Records
. Although classically trained, Aaberg incorporates classical, jazz, bluegrass, rock, and new music elements into his compositions and musical structures. Although best known for his solo piano work, he is most at home in the chamber jazz
genre. His compositions are noted for their "rigorous keyboard technique, diverse influences, and colorful compositional style."
in 1949 and raised in Chester, Montana
. By the age of 14, he was performing with local bands at dances in Chester. Aaberg studied music at Harvard University
on a Leonard Bernstein scholarship. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in music, he moved to Oakland, California
and played in blues clubs for several years. He also toured and recorded as a member of Elvin Bishop's Group at the time of its greatest popularity, and co-wrote the title song of the band's 1976 "Struttin' My Stuff" release.
and released the highly acclaimed solo album High Plains that showcased his eclectic musical background. He followed this up with five solo albums: Cinema (1992), Field Notes (2000), Live from Montana (2000), which received a Grammy nomination, Christmas (2002), and Blue West (2005). Aaberg also appeared regularly on the popular Windham Hill Sampler albums over the past 20 years and has had success in various collaborations and ensemble projects.
Aaberg has performed with the Boston Pops Orchestra
and has appeared at the Marlboro Chamber Music Festival. As a guest artist, he has performed on over 200 albums and on PBS's All-American Jazz program, which earned him an Emmy Award
nomination. He has appeared with Peter Gabriel
and the Doobie Brothers
in concert.
Collaborations
Guest appearances
Windham Hill Records
Windham Hill Records is a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment specializing in Acoustic, New Age and Folk music. Originally founded in 1976 as an Independent record label by guitarist and carpenter William Ackerman and his then-wife Anne Robinson, Windham Hill was a successful and well-respected...
. Although classically trained, Aaberg incorporates classical, jazz, bluegrass, rock, and new music elements into his compositions and musical structures. Although best known for his solo piano work, he is most at home in the chamber jazz
Chamber jazz
Chamber jazz is a genre of jazz based around small, acoustic-based ensembles where group interplay is important. It is influenced aesthetically by musical neoclassicism and is often influenced by classical forms of non-Western music. That stated in many cases the influence is traditional Celtic...
genre. His compositions are noted for their "rigorous keyboard technique, diverse influences, and colorful compositional style."
Early life
Philip Aaberg was born in Havre, MontanaHavre, Montana
Havre is a city in, and the county seat of, Hill County, Montana, United States. It is said to be named after the city of Le Havre in France. The population was 9,621 at the 2000 census.-History:...
in 1949 and raised in Chester, Montana
Chester, Montana
Chester is a town in and the county seat of Liberty County, Montana, United States. The population was 847 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Chester is located at ....
. By the age of 14, he was performing with local bands at dances in Chester. Aaberg studied music at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
on a Leonard Bernstein scholarship. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in music, he moved to Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
and played in blues clubs for several years. He also toured and recorded as a member of Elvin Bishop's Group at the time of its greatest popularity, and co-wrote the title song of the band's 1976 "Struttin' My Stuff" release.
Windham Hill years
In 1985, Aaberg signed a recording contract with Windham Hill RecordsWindham Hill Records
Windham Hill Records is a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment specializing in Acoustic, New Age and Folk music. Originally founded in 1976 as an Independent record label by guitarist and carpenter William Ackerman and his then-wife Anne Robinson, Windham Hill was a successful and well-respected...
and released the highly acclaimed solo album High Plains that showcased his eclectic musical background. He followed this up with five solo albums: Cinema (1992), Field Notes (2000), Live from Montana (2000), which received a Grammy nomination, Christmas (2002), and Blue West (2005). Aaberg also appeared regularly on the popular Windham Hill Sampler albums over the past 20 years and has had success in various collaborations and ensemble projects.
Aaberg has performed with the Boston Pops Orchestra
Boston Pops Orchestra
The Boston Pops Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts, that specializes in playing light classical and popular music....
and has appeared at the Marlboro Chamber Music Festival. As a guest artist, he has performed on over 200 albums and on PBS's All-American Jazz program, which earned him an Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
nomination. He has appeared with Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
and the Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers
The Doobie Brothers are an American rock band. The group has sold over 40 million units worldwide throughout their career. The Doobie Brothers were inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2004.-Original incarnation:...
in concert.
Sweetgrass Music years
In 2000, Aaberg began his own record label, Sweetgrass Music, through which he has since endeavored to produce music that "connects a global audience to the sweeping landscape of the West." Throughout his career, Aaberg has produced music that consistently translated Montana's farms, ranches, and native cultures into "musical concepts" and has "forged a unique keyboard style that paints an audible portrait of his home state."Discography
Solo recordings- 1985 High Plains
- 1988 Out of the Frame
- 1989 Upright
- 1992 Cinema
- 2000 Field Notes
- 2000 Live from Montana
- 2002 Christmas
- 2005 Blue West
Collaborations
- 1986 The Shape Of The Land (with Michael Hedges and William Ackerman)
- 1987 Morning Walk (with Metamora)
- 1990 Meridian (with Bernie Krause)
- 1995 A Wild Christmas (with Bernie Krause)
- 1998 A Christmas Heritage (with New Grange)
- 1999 New Grange (with New Grange)
- 2001 Tasting The Wine Country (with the Mike Marshall Quintet)
- 2008 CrossTime (with Darol Anger)
- 2009 Three Part Invention" (with Tracy Silverman and Eugene Friesen)
- 2010 Raven (with Kristina Stykos)
Guest appearances
- 1985 Windham Hill Sampler '86
- 1985 Windham Hill: Autumn Portrait
- 1989 Windham Hill Sampler '89
- 1986 Winter's Solstice, Vol. 2
- 1989 Winter's Solstice, Vol. 1
- 1990 A Winter's Solstice, Vol. 3
- 1990 Restore the Shore
- 1990 Windham Hill: The First Ten Years
- 1991 Windham Hill Sampler '92
- 1992 The Impressionists: A Windham Hill Sampler
- 1994 Windham Hill Piano Sampler 2
- 1994 Windham Hill Sampler '94
- 1995 A Winter's Solstice, Vol. 5
- 1995 Windham Hill: The Romantics
- 1996 Different Mozart
- 1996 Redbook Relaxation: Tranquility
- 1996 Redbook Relaxers: Daybreak
- 1996 Redbook Relaxers: Dreamscape
- 1996 Redbook Relaxers: Romance
- 1996 Redbook Relaxers: Twilight
- 1996 Sanctuary: 20 Years of Windham Hill
- 1997 Candlelight Moments: Meditative Moments
- 1997 Candlelight Moments: Moonlight Reflections
- 1997 Candlelight Moments: Serene Sounds
- 1997 Heritage
- 1997 Meditation: Restore
- 1997 Redbook Relaxation: Piano Reflections
- 1997 Redbook Relaxers: Dinner Party
- 1997 Redbook Relaxers: Lullabies
- 1997 Summer Solstice: A Windham Hill Collection
- 1997 Twilight Jazz (BMG Special Products)
- 1998 Best of New Age (Columbia River)
- 1998 Moonlight Reflections (BMG Special Products)
- 1998 Quiet Moods: Meditative Moments
- 1998 Quiet Moods: Romantic Reflections
- 1998 Thanksgiving: A Windham Hill Collection
- 1998 Tones of Christmas
- 1998 Yoga Zone: Music for Yoga Practice
- 1999 Moonlight Moments
- 1999 Sun Dance: Summer Solstice, Vol. 3
- 2000 Healing Harmony
- 2000 New Age Christmas [BMG Greeting Card CD]
- 2000 Redbook: Daybreak
- 2000 Redbook: Dinner Party
- 2000 Redbook: Lullabies
- 2000 Redbook: Piano Reflections
- 2000 Redbook: Romance
- 2000 Redbook: Tranquility
- 2000 Redbook: Twilight
- 2000 Windham Hill Classics: Harvest
- 2000 Windham Hill Classics: Journeys
- 2000 Windham Hill Classics: Persuasion
- 2000 Windham Hill Classics: Reflections
- 2001 A Winter's Solstice, Vol. 1: Silver Anniversary Edition
- 2001 Meditation: Relax Restore and Revive
- 2001 New Age Moods [BMG Special Products]
- 2001 Windham Hill Classics: Matters of the Heart
- 2001 Windows: Windham Hill 25 Years of Piano
- 2002 Ansel Adams: Original Soundtrack Recording from the Film by Ric Burns
- 2002 Meditation: Relax
- 2002 Peace of Mind (Windham Hill)
- 2003 A Windham Hill Christmas, Vol. 2
- 2003 Adagio: A Windham Hill Collection
- 2003 Prayer: A Windham Hill Collection
- 2003 Windham Hill Chill: Ambient Acoustic
- 2004 Relaxation (Windham Hill)
- 2004 Windham Hill America
- 2004 Windham Hill Christmas: I'll Be Home for Christmas
- 2004 Windham Hill Sampler: Winter Wonderland
- 2005 A Quiet Revolution: 30 Years of Windham Hill
- 2005 A Windham Hill Christmas: The Night Before Christmas
- 2005 Cinema: A Windham Hill Collection
- 2005 Essential Winter's Solstice
- 2005 Heritage
- 2005 Released
- 2006 Sundown: A Windham Hill Piano Collection
- 2007 True
- 2008 Blue Dreams
- 2008 "Meditations"