Participants Announced for 2011 Red Bull Music Academy

SANTA MONICA, Calif., July 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- After several months of carefully listening to and reading applications from thousands of producers, instrumentalists and vocalists from 96 countries, the Red Bull Music Academy is pleased to announce the selection of 60 diversely talented artists who have been invited to join the annual music workshop which will be held in Madrid. This fall, participants will join one of two terms and over the course of two weeks will have the chance to collaborate in custom-built recording studios with their peers from 33 countries, representing cities from Melbourne and Copenhagen to Mumbai and Istanbul.

This all-expense-paid scholarship program will also give participants the chance to learn from and work with guest lecturers and luminaries who have shaped our global musical landscape. Past lecturers have included: Chuck D, ?uestlove, A-Track, The Mizell Brothers, Adam Freeland, Biz Markie, Black Milk, Bun B, Carl Craig, David Matthews, Dam Funk, DJ Premier, Gilles Peterson, Hank Shocklee, Hugh Masekela, Jeff Mills, Jay Electronica, M.I.A., Just Blaze, Leon Ware, Leroy Burgess, Mark Ronson, Peter Hook, Sly & Robbie and many more.

MEET THE EIGHT GREAT FROM THE STATES

For more than 13 years, the Red Bull Music Academy has earned the reputation as an incubator for talent and a hub for music makers and lovers worldwide. Each year, thousands apply for the opportunity to attend the workshop which is hosted in a different global music capital every year. Eight of the 60 artists accepted for this year's session hail from the United States and include vocalists, multi-instrumentalists, producers and DJs.

Jesse Boykins III from Seacaucus, NJ was one of the few independent artists to be nominated for a 2010 Soul Train Award in a category that was finally won by Janelle Monae. He is a talented vocalist and multi-instrumentalist with a palate that includes drums, bass, guitar, violins and brass.  At 16-years old, Jesse was one 13 singers selected to become part of the Grammy Jazz Ensemble.  While studying at The New School University, Jesse worked on refining his skills as a writer, performer, arranger, producer and vocalist. He studied with classical trainer Kenneth Kamal Scott and soul artist Bilal. Jesse's music transcends genres, generations and cultures. To experience Jesse's timeless sound visit http://jbiiimusic.com

Paul Salva, originally from Chicago but currently representing San Francisco has become an integral part of the thriving local beat scene. He has masterfully crafted remixes for trailblazing producers such as Om Unit, Robot Koch, Ango and The Glitch Mob.  As head of the record label Frite Nite, he has a proven ear for future classics, having released two EPs from future boogie wizard B.Bravo. Check out Salva's remixes at http://soundcloud.com/salva.

Under the moniker "Ghosts on Tape," Ryan Merry says he produces "deep rave music for tripped-out weirdos." His aesthetic is influenced by many strains of house music, phantom rhythms of Afro-Cuban and Caribbean drums, the smack of Miami bass, and King Tubby's delay boxes.  His Icee Hot parties have become a staple in the San Francisco scene and he has released music on forward-thinking labels like Wireblock, Innovative Leisure and Opit. Tune into the deft sampling and break manipulation of Ghosts on Tape at http://soundcloud.com/ghostsontape.

The cosmically-minded Asma Maroof has been making MCs and dancers run short of breath as part of the voodoo bass outfit Nguzunguzu, since the start of 2010. After studying improvised music at the Art Institute of Chicago, Asma moved to Los Angeles where she re-linked with her musical partner Daniel Pineda and started to jam out a fusion of tropical beats, pounding subs, R&B and general weird sounds. Their self-titled vinyl EP on Innovative Leisure and third EP 'Mirage' on Silverback Recordings saw them receive acclaim from both sides of the Atlantic for their mix of rolling tribal beats, triply club atmospheres and creative low-end. Since then, Asma has travelled all over the US and Europe as Nguzunguzu and as superstar M.I.A.'s tour DJ, as well as remixing the A-Team theme and blending M.I.A.'s 'Vicki Leekx' mixtape. Hear sounds by Nguzunguzu at  http://soundcloud.com/nguzunguzu.

Despite a childhood steeped in music, Brian Simon only began to appreciate his dad's records after he developed an obsession for hip hop in his teens and went to college to study music. After an intense love affair with the saxophone, an internship at seminal Los Angeles label Alpha Pup, and a journey through Music History and Theory at UCLA, Brian landed at the foot of his own label – inspired by the electronic sounds of his friends. He's no slouch in the studio himself either, and as Anenon has seen a split EP and remixes pop up on labels like Non Projects and the aforementioned Alpha Pup. Taking inspiration from the environment around him as much as the sounds in his own head, Brian can coax an eerie cinematic tension from almost anything. Dive deeper at http://www.cargocollective.com/anenon.

South of the Mason-Dixon Line, Georgia's John Smith aka Slide20XL is cooking up a dangerous brew of 8-bit electronic madness, influenced by Japan's legendary video game sound designer, Koji Kondo. His futuristic experimental electronic music is infused with arrangements, melodies and rhythms that demonstrate Slide's classical theory training and proficiency in keys and viola.  More from Slide can be found at http://slide20xl.tumblr.com.

Brooklyn by way of Chicago based DJ and producer, William Salas aka Brenmar, represents a strange musical paradox. Somehow defying the odds, he marries the artificial gloss of commercial R&B with the urban grittiness of underground styles like Chicago footwork and UK bass. His releases on the Discobelle, Grizzly, and Enchufada labels have taken him to both coasts of the U.S., Canada Japan, and Europe– frenzying crowds with his up-tempo, neon-drenched tunes. Brenmar's more 'unofficial' online releases have also been gobbled up by the taste-making blogs and DJs of the world. His recipe for success? Take a pinch of Mannie Fresh snares, a handful of DJ Rashad toms, a dose of basslines from the UK, a generous portion of Hot 97 vocalists, poach it all in a synthesizer broth, and garnish with some Timbaland sheen...and you're getting close.  For more on Brenmar, visit http://brenmar.biz/.

Heavily responsible for the grimy techno-soul of NYC's Cubic Zirconia and the greasy bass of Drop The Lime's live show, DJ and producer Nick Concellor aka Nick Hook has been "twisting knobs" for a minute now. He is no stranger to the dark underbelly of the late-night clubs, having played in some of the finest temples of boom the world over. His unique strain of acid-fried basslines and vintage drum machines have kept him in demand amongst a smorgasbord of musicians, as he is currently working with El-P of Company Flow and L-Vis 1990 of Night Slugs. Keep up with Nick at http://nickhook.tumblr.com.  

About the Red Bull Music Academy

Delve into the Red Bull Music Academy archives and hear interviews and live shows by distinguished alumni such as Flying Lotus, Jamie Woon, Natalia Lafourcade and Aloe Blacc.  A treasure trove of brand new music is streaming live on http://www.redbullmusicacademyradio.com where you can hear more than 4000 club and festival recordings, DJ sets and documentary formats.

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SOURCE Red Bull Music Academy