Composer Portrait, J. Charney

Biography

Canadian saxophonist Justin Massey recently completed his Master of Music Degree at Bowling Green State University, where he held the saxophone assistantship. He received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Alberta and is currently pursuing studies at the Conservatory of Bordeaux, studying with Marie-Bernadette Charrier. His primary teachers include Dr. John Sampen, Dr. William Street, and Dr. Allison Balcetis.
Passionate for new music, Justin strives to present modern music in all his performances, often performing on the entire battery of saxophones. To this end, Justin constantly seeks out new repertoire and enjoys working with composers in order to recreate their vision into live performances.

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Jason Charney (b. 1990) writes music for electroacoustic media as well as orchestral instruments and voice, often combining them. His music addresses the intersection of art, science, and experience as well as the connection between observable phenomena, performative gesture, and sound. An active electroacoustic performer, Jason has a particular interest in multimedia, algorithmic composition, and nonlinear sound experiences.
Jason is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in composition at Bowling Green State University, where he serves as the Music Technology Graduate Assistant and studies with Elainie Lillios and Christopher Dietz. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in composition and theory from the University of Kansas, where he studied with Forrest Pierce and Kip Haaheim.
Justin Massey and Jason Charney became close friends while both studying at Bowling Green State University. Shortly after Jason completed his first saxophone piece “Foreign Masonry” for solo baritone saxophone and live electronics Justin commissioned Jason to write a new piece for solo soprano saxophone and electronics specifically for the World Congress in Strasbourg. This will be the third saxophone piece written by Jason in the span of two years.
This composer portrait features Jason’s musical growth throughout his Master of Music Degree, and will feature Jason’s ability to utilize the saxophone and electronics as two distinct instruments, creating a unique aural experience for the listener while challenging the performer in what is truly chamber music between the saxophone and the computer. Foreign Masonry was written during Jason’s first year of studies at Bowling Green and his new piece for soprano saxophone and electronics will be written in early 2015 during Jason’s final semester of study.
These pieces will feature a new generation of collaboration between performer and composer. By working closely with one another, Jason and Justin are able to create new vibrant sounds for the saxophone while also adding new repertoire to the canon of music for saxophone and electronics.