Daniel John Plonsey
Biography

(brief)

Born September 1, 1958 (Labor Day)
Cleveland, Ohio

Presently living in
El Cerrito, California
Dan Plonsey: composer & saxophonist
5670 Ludwig Avenue
El Cerrito, CA 94530
510-237-9007
dan@plonsey.com
http://www.plonsey.com

BIOGRAPHY

Dan Plonsey was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in Cleveland Heights. He has lived in California for 24 years, and in El Cerrito for 14.

EDUCATION

COMPOSITIONS

Since 1978, he has written more than 200 works for large and small ensembles. Recent commissions have come from Real Time Operai (New Hampshire), the Bang on a Can People's Commissioning Fund (New York), Theatre of Yugen (San Francisco), the Museum of Children's Art (Oakland), Milkbar International Film Festival (Oakland), the Berkeley Symphony Children's Concert Series, and New Music Works (Santa Cruz). Plonsey was awarded "Meet the Composer" grants to accompany the Bang on a Can and Milkbar commissions; he was awarded an American Composers Forum "Subito" grant for the work with Theatre Yugen.

From the mid-90's on, Plonsey's largest body of work has been written for Daniel Popsicle, his 10-20 person ensemble of unfixed instrumentation. Plonsey terms this work "Music of El Cerrito," as it is impossible to identify by genre. Some pieces are short, such as the 99 pieces of "Color Music;" others are an hour or longer in length, including the Kingdoms Diptych, and the five "Seasons" pieces. Plonsey has also written many pieces for ensembles of multiple (3-13) saxophones; and for chamber opera. He recently began a series of concerti for "guitar and strange ensemble," the first of which being What Leave Behind for Fred Frith and Toychestra. He is currently working on an opera with libretto by Harvey Pekar (of American Splendor fame), which is to be premiered at Oberlin College, January, 2009.

MUSICAL PHILOSOPHY

Inspired by music from many times and places, Plonsey's compositions often embody a conflict of two ideas: one rational and one not so much. Plonsey's process of composition involves the invention of imaginary societies in which imperfection is not only accepted but celebrated. He considers his works the natural result of being out of step with nearly everything: "My music fails to meet the rigid standards of jazz, classical, or traditional music worlds, as established by their respective authorities. It draws upon all of my weaknesses as much as upon my strengths."

PERFORMANCE, RECORDINGS and OTHER ACTIVITIES

Much of Plonsey's music has been documented on CD; see: Dan Plonsey Discography for full details.

Plonsey is one of eight musicians profiled in Tim Perkis's documentary film, Noisy People.

Plonsey performs his own music and music of others frequently in the Bay Area and beyond in a wide variety of contexts, including, most recently, Anthony Braxton's tentet (a DVD of 6 hours of music to be released in 2005); John Shiurba's 5x5; TriAxium West (a cooperative group devoted to the music of Anthony Braxton); John Schott's Diglossia ensemble; Ben Goldberg's Brainchild; and Eugene Chadbourne's Insect & Western ensembles.

In the previous decade, Plonsey was known as the co-founder of three composers' collectives (New Haven's "Sheep's Clothing," Stamford's "AMP," and the Bay Area's Composers' Cafeteria2s); the co-founder and occasional editor of the experimental music journal "Freeway;" the bass player in the art-rock band Dreamland; and as founder and curator of the weekly Beanbender's Creative Music Concert Series in Berkeley (weekly from March, 1995-1999, ongoing occasionally).

Plonsey also teaches math at Berkeley High School, and spends a lot of time with his wife, Mantra, and their two sons, Cleveland and Mischa.

MORE DETAILS, DISCOGRAPHY, WRITINGS, ARTWORK, etc.

For a lengthier bio, complete with various autobiographical and artistic statements, and further links to a full discography, samples of artwork, essays, etc., see: Dan Plonsey's Biography