Mike Sperone
On "Short Piano Piece : (compotion)" -
Flute - Jill Krug
Clarinet - Cathy Bellew
Trumpet - Alan Bjorklund
Bass Clarinet - Dave Schnug
Trombone - Cameron MacManus
Influences
Jeffery Kresky, George Crumb, Beastie Boys, Charles Wuorinen, Sonic Youth, Deathcab for Cutie, Stockhausen, Elliott Carter, Josh Lopes, John Cage, Milton Babbitt, Webern, Berg, Wagner, Jaga Jazzist, Red Snapper, Bjork, Liz Janes, Pixies, Sleater Kinney, Led Zeppelin, Cibbo Matto, Weezer, Jorge Benjor, Fugazi, Automator, deltron 3030, DJ Spooky, Kevin Norton, Dj Olive, Smashing Pumpkins, Elliott Smith, Jay-Z, the Decemberists, Radiohead, Brad Mehldau, Ikue Mori, automator, Primus, BS2000, Violent Femmes, Pauline Oliveros, Arcade Fire, Olivier Messien, Postal Service, Julius Eastman, Stephen Vitiello, A Tribe Called Quest, Ray DesRoches, Peter Jarvis, Tom Kolor, Steven Schick, John Link, Free Kitten, Joe Berger
Michael Sperone's musical endeavors are ambitious and wide ranging. His recent hour long multimedia work “Uncertain Occasions” was premiered in 2006 with the aid of a grant from William Paterson University. He is currently performing with his new solo project Tintinnabulation, which involves glockenspiel, homemade computer software, and cymbal. Other recent endeavors include a full length solo “pop” album, and new works for iKtus Percussion, Composers Anonymous, and Joe Bergen.
Michael Sperone was born and raised in a bustling New York City suburb. His composing style has been shaped by wide ranging influences with musical influences including early 90's indie rock, post-war serialist composers, and contemporary electro-beat. Michael also cites non-musical sources of inspiration, including Bill Watterson's “Calvin and Hobbes”, physics, and linguistics.
He received his undergraduate degree from William Paterson University as a Classical Percussion major. Here he studied with Raymond DesRoches, Gary Van Dyke, and Peter Jarvis among others. He began performing with the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble, in residence at the university, and eventually went on to co-found Absolute Percussion and New Music Unit with fellow students. It was here that he also first began composing seriously, with the guidance and support of Dr.'s David Weisberg, John Link, and Jeffery Kresky.
Michael is a founding member of New Music Unit, and Composers Anonymous as both composer and performer. As a performer, he's appeared with the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble, High Mountain Symphony, South Orange Symphony, Newband, Mad Coyote, and premiered works by Steven Ruel, Ron Mazurek, Payton MacDonald, Josh Lopes, and Nina Goede. As a composer he's had his works premiered by the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble, Joe Bergen, New Music Unit, and Justin Wolf. He has upcoming works that will be premiered by iKtus Percussion, and Composers Anonymous. Michael's music is published by Calabrese Brothers Music, LLC.
Hello! Just wanted to drop in and let you know that pre-orders for my new jazz standards album "Bittersweet" are now taking place! The first 100 pre-orders will receive a signed and numbered copy! Release date is set for May 19th, but you will get your copy a few days earlier! Kate and I are very excited about the record, and we can't wait for you to hear it. Head over to www.bittersweetthealbum.com to pre-order! Thanks! ~Mark
hey mike! i've been doing alright. workin and schoolin. it's been a while since our little band, and it's good to see that you're okay! Homebody opened for My Chemical Romance, how crazy is that? haha good times.
