Biographical Info
At only 25, Joby is already one of Britain’s most diverse percussionists. He is a member of the internationally renowned percussion quartet Ensemble Bash (who have collaborated with artists including Joanna MacGregor, Django Bates, Steve Reich, Nitin Sawhney, Stewart Copeland, Hilliard Ensemble and the Pan African Orchestra), the new music group Ixion, the drum n bass influenced Couptone and a co-founder of new noise.
The unique ensemble new noise was born late in 1999, and comprises the ‘beautiful sounds and effortless pyrotechnics’ of oboist Janey Miller, with the ‘dramatically explosive and virtousic playing’ of Joby. New Noise are currently ensemble in residence with the Goldsmiths University Electronic Music Studios, artists for ‘Live Music Now!’ and have performed at festivals including; ‘Rhythmsticks, at the South Bank Centre’, ‘Hoxton New Music Days’, ‘Warwick and Leamington’, ‘Chichester Festivities’ and the BMIC’s ‘Cutting Edge Series/Tour 2001’.
Joby also performs and records with ensembles and artists including; London Sinfonietta, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Endymion Ensemble, Composers Ensemble, Sculpted Sound, Sinfonia 21, ECAT Ensemble, Sarah Leonard, John Kenny, Robert Tear, National Theatre Ensemble and The Ministry of Sound.
As a soloist Joby has made several broadcasts for BBC radio, and given performances at the Purcell Room and the Wigmore Hall, London. Joby’s next major solo project is the premiere of a specially commissioned percussion concerto, at the Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh in May 2003.
As an educator Joby currently teaches at Radley College Oxford – previously Bedfordshire County Music Service (1998-2002). Joby has also lectured at Dartington International Summer School, been heavily involved with the Wigmore Hall’s education department, and adjudicated for the BBC Young Musician of the Year competition.
For more information on Joby’s future activities visit http://www.newnoiselondon.com and http://www.ensemblebash.com
‘Against a backdrop of taped fuzz and Latin American effects, and with a sense of dramatic ritual, Burgess improvised rhythms one would not have thought possible on the grain-filled lollipops (maracas)’ Evening Standard
‘Joby demonstrated his versatility as he switched deftly between hand percussion and stick work, creating wonderful dynamics with a wealth of expression. My Imagination has truly been ignited’ Rhythm Magazine
‘Percussionist Joby Burgess preyed on the tam-tams and vibes like a panther at bay – for my money, a star in the making’ The Scotsman (Added 2002.2.16, Modified 2003.1.11)