Gunther Schuller

Gunther Schuller (born November 22 1925) studied at the St. Thomas Choir School and became an accomplished horn player; at the age of seventeen he was principal hornist with the Cincinnati Symphony, and two years later took up a similar position with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. In 1959 he gave up performance to devote himself to composition. He has conducted internationally and studied and recorded jazz with such greats as Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, and John Lewis. He has been credited with coining the term Third Stream, a style of jazz that combines classical and jazz techniques. Schuller has written over 160 original compositions.

Awards and recognition

Schuller has been the recipient of many awards, including the 1994 Pulitzer Prize for his composition written for the Louisville Symphony Of Reminiscences and Reflections, the MacArthur Foundation "genius" award (1991), the William Schuman Award (1988), given by Columbia University for "lifetime achievement in American music composition", and ten honorary degrees. In 1993, Downbeat Magazine honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to jazz. He won the 1976 Grammy Award for Best Album Notes — Classical for his notes for his album Footlifters.

Related Topics:
Pulitzer Prize - MacArthur Foundation - Columbia University - Downbeat Magazine - 1976 - Grammy Award for Best Album Notes — Classical - Album

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