American composer Steve Layton was born in Pasco, Washington, in 1956. Long based in Seattle, in 2007 he relocated to Houston, Texas. Layton creates a kind of music that blurs the distinctions between electronic and acoustic art forms, as well as the notions of the traditional and the experimental. He invokes, alters, engages or dissolves questions of history, culture -- even "real" versus "unreal" -- in the mind and ear of the listener.
Layton creates a kind of music that blurs the distinctions between electronic and acoustic art forms, as well as the notions of the traditional and the experimental. He invokes, alters, engages or dissolves questions of history, culture -- even "real" versus "unreal" -- in the mind and ear of the listener. Traditional and "imaginary" modern classical mix with electronic, historical, and world vernacular influences. These works operate on a number of different levels, making an often dense, but rich and colorful music.
Besides commissions for works from many western-U.S. ensembles and organizations, Layton has collaborated extensively with both dancers and video artists, and currently is very much involved with the exploration of new ways to propagate contemporary art music via the web.
Layton's offical website is at Niwo.com: www.niwo.com/steve.