abstract
| - Born: 17th February 1949, Heathfield, England.British composer, improviser and multi-instrumentalist, who has situated himself for more than thirty years in the area where rock music and new music meet. Co-founder of the British underground band %22Henry Cow%22 (1968-78), Frith moved to New York in the late seventies and came into contact with many of the musicians with whom he’s since been associated, for example; John Zorn; Ikue Mori; Tom Cora; Zeena Parkins and Bob Ostertag. Fourteen years in New York gave rise to groups like %22Massacre%22 (with Bill Laswell and Fred Maher), %22Skeleton Crew%22 (with Tom and Zeena), and %22Keep the Dog%22, a sextet performing an extensive repertoire of Frith compositions.In the eighties Frith began writing for dance, film, and theatre. This, in turn, led to his composing for %22Rova Sax Quartet%22, %22Ensemble Modern%22, %22Asko Ensemble%22 and a number of other groups, including his own critically acclaimed %22Guitar Quartet%22.Best known world-wide as an improvisational guitarist, Frith has also performed in a variety of other contexts, playing bass in John Zorn’s %22Naked City%22, violin in Lars Hollmer’s %22Looping Home Orchestra%22 and guitar on recordings ranging from %22The Residents%22 and René Lussier, to Brian Eno and Amy Denio. Frith was also the subject of Nicolas Humbert and Werner Penzels’ award-winning documentary film %22Step Across The Border%22. He became Professor of Composition at Mills College in Oakland, California, near his home with photographer [a498358] and their children, Finn and Lucia.
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