ABOUT

Reading bios and “about” sections usually makes my stomach turn. Often written in the third person even though everyone knows they wrote it themselves, it’s generally full of bloviating exaggerations intended to make the reader think the person being written about is really the bees knees. It’s rarely read, but is also somewhat necessary. Especially if they, like me, aren’t “famous” but are a working musician/ artist and need to tell you who they are. I’ll try not to turn yours as you read this. Let’s start out with the most likely (for you, dear reader) stomach turning quote that, when I received it, made my fanboy thirteen year old self light a sewer on fire in celebration:

“Earl is a kick ass player who pushes the creative boundaries.” - Robert Trujillo, bassist of Metallica

I’m a violinist/ violist/ composer/ arranger whose personal work stands at the somewhat unlikely crossroads of Western Classical music, Heavy Metal, and Hardcore Punk- but I’m also well versed in many different genres and styles and can generally play in whatever style is asked of me. I was born and raised in Queens, NYC and have a Bachelor of Music Degree from Queens College and a Master of Music Degree from the Mannes College of Music in New York City, where I studied with Daniel Phillips of the Orion String Quartet.

I think because my personal work generally combines metal, hardcore, and classical music, it was seen as unique by some pretty cool people (aka organizations with influence/ and or money) and I received some serious commissions. I wrote a violin concerto for Rachel Barton Pine (international concert violinst) that was commissioned by Tito Muñoz (Music Director of Phoenix Symphony), a five minute symphonic work for Carnegie Hall, arrangements for Vitamin String Quartet and The Dillinger Escape Plan, and various smaller works for The Burlington Youth Symphony, The String Orchestra of Brooklyn, The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, The Dance Theater of Harlem, and The Francesca Harper Dance Company.

I have three personal projects: Black Heart Sutra (https://blackheartsutra.bandcamp.com/releases), Resolution15, and SEVEN)SUNS. (sevensunsmusic.com) All three projects explore the role of the violin in extreme music in various forms.

I’ve also done a ton of recording work and live concert work for world renowned artists. I’m not going through that list here because that just seems like a waste of time. By the time you get to this point in the “about” section, you should have a good enough idea exactly what you’re getting yourself into. Hope you dig the tunes. If you like what you see/ hear, you’re welcome to hire me to teach, play, write and arrange. Hit me up.