Brian Whistler
Brian Whistler has been playing and writing
music since his late teens. At an early age, Brian showed a unique talent for
composition and improvisation at the piano. While first attracted to pop music,
he soon realized that the pop genre was too narrow a format for his musical
vision. He has spent his life experimenting with blending world, jazz, classical
and folk influences, while still retaining a strong pop sensibility. The new
album, "Forgotten Voices", his first CD, forges a signature synthesis of many
styles, including Brazilian jazz, Balinese bamboo music, African and Haitian
drumming, and electronic world fusion elements.
Although initially self taught, Brian went on to study music formally at
Livingston College, continuing his studies at California Institute of the Arts
in Valencia CA. His early teachers were Helene Mirich, Morton Subotnick,
William Douglas and Harold Budd.
After graduating from CalArts in 1974, Brian moved to northern CA where he played in
jazz and pop groups throughout the bay area for over 25 years. He was also dance
accompanist/composer for the Ann Woodhead Dance Company for several seasons. He composed
pieces for several productions of the Mercury Moving Company and was a familiar
figure for years at Sonoma State University where he was a resident
accompanist/composer in the dance department. Brian continued his private studies in Sonoma County
with celebrated composer/author/educator William A. Mathieu
Although he focused on honing his composition skills in the early 1980's
, during this period he developed a passion for jazz piano, which still plays a
major part of his musical life. He has composed music for independent films,
industrials and public television. In 1990 He scored the pilot for an environmental
series that was hosted and narrated by the late Christopher Reeve. Throughout the 1990's,
he performed his original music with his band Ya Yari to large jazz festival audiences
throughout northern CA, opening for bands such as Yellowjackets and steel drum virtuoso,
Andy Narrel.
About fifteen years ago, Brian became fascinated with mallet instruments,
and began studying vibraphone technique. While journeying in Bali, he fell in love with
Balinese music and studied the bamboo marimba or
Tingklik music. He has made four trips to Indonesia to date, both to continue his
studies there and to visit his Balinese "second family"
In recent years, Brian has turned his attention from performing to
producing. He has produced several pop and jazz CDs by bay area artists and has
also found a niche working with artists in the asian pop market. He also teaches
privately.
Brian continues to collaborate with his longtime associate, singer/guitarist
Pablo Rodriguez. They are currently in production for their next CD which will focus
on the world music and wordless chant elements touched upon in "Forgotten
Voices
Pablo Rodriguez
Pablo Rodriguez started playing guitar as a teen living in the wilds of east LA.
He was initially attracted to pop music, especially the Beatles. Soon his ears
stretched beyond the confines of pop music and into the realm of classical
guitar where he absorbed the music of Bach, Ponce, Sor and other luminaries. He
discovered composer/performer Ralph Towner who had a profound effect on his
musical direction.
At the same time as he began his guitar studies, Pablo began to develop as a
singer. First performing in local dance bands, he became interested in vocal
improvisation and soon found himself branching out into the jazz world. He had
the privilege of studying with Bobby McFerrin for a few years and is a longtime
student of legendary voice guru, Seth Riggs. Pablo has become a superb
teacher of vocal technique in his own right. He teaches privately and in the Waldorf schools
throughout the bay area.
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