Amos Gillespie Septet

Description

Amos' playing has been described as “Liquid” by Robert Rodi at Newcity magazine and his compositions “Sultry” and “Distinctive” by David DeBoor Canfield at Fanfare. He has played with the Hard Art Groop, Origin of Animal, New Millennium Orchestra and Access Contemporary Music (ACM). His music has been performed by the International Contemporary Ensemble, Kaia SQ and the Barkada Saxophone Quartet. 

Work Sample

https://www.amosgillespie.com/unstructured-time-for-jazz-septet/

“Unstructured Time” for jazz septet is an original work about finding introspective peace in a loud world. Run-time: 60 minutes. I started writing it in 2019 and after quite a few delays (including pandemic delays), finished it in 2020 and premiered it April 29th, 2021 at the Fulton Street Collective in Chicago. It was later recorded at Transient Studios with Tyler Rice mixing and mastering. The album release concert took place at Constellation Friday 3/4/2022. The album features Alexandra Olsavsky, voice; Amos Gillespie, alto sax; Andy Schlinder, tenor sax; Gustavo Cortinas, drums; Paul Bedal, piano; Casey Nielsen, guitar and Dan Thatcher, bass.

This is the YouTube link to the live performance of the album.

The work sample I submitted represents all my talents as a composer, orchestrator, lyricist, leader and saxophonist. It is the stylistic culmination of my entire body of work. In the past I have orchestrated and arranged music for chamber ensembles, orchestras and bands; I've written music for my own musical theatre projects, dance projects and various film and theatre works. The sample provided represents a consolidated culmination of those experiences, and you will hear a contemporary, fresh, high energy sound that should prove satisfying. 

History

Amos’ music has been heard on WFMT in Chicago, WQXR in New York City and PBS. His music spans a wide range of genres including chamber and orchestra concert music, jazz, as well as music for film, theater and dance. His music has been commissioned and performed by the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), Atlantic Music Festival Contemporary Ensemble, Third Millennium Ensemble, Eclipse Theater, Barkada Saxophone Quartet, Kaia String Quartet, Access Contemporary Music (ACM) and the Chicago Composers Orchestra among many others.

As a saxophonist Amos performs with his own quartet – septet and has played along with the Hard Art Groop, Alvarez Orchestra, Origin of Animal, New Millennium Orchestra, Access Contemporary Music (ACM), Lake Shore Rush Ensemble, Chicago Composers Consortium, MAVerick ensemble, Jedlicka Performing Arts Center, VOX 3 Vocal Collective and Hiz Film studio Productions among others.

Amos’ music has been heard at various venues and Festivals around the world including The Ear Taxi Festival, Atlantic Music Festival, Illinois Musicians Festival at Grant Park, North American Saxophone Alliance Conference, Preston Bradley Hall Sunday Salon Series, An Die Musik in Baltimore MD, Music Institute of Chicago, Court Theatre and the Green Mill among others.

Artistic Vision

I aim to reach audiences with a musical sound that is adventurous and contemporary but accessible and energetic. I experiment in many musical genre's and use those experiences to help keep me work informed, dynamic and fresh. 

Programs for Specific Audience(s) Expertise

My "Unstructured Time" album is a sensitive and balanced work appropriate for all audiences. I have always made my work accessible to all audiences regardless of age, sex, race, socio-economic status, cultural, religion etc.