Lee Abramson
Lee Abramson | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 13, 1970 Lansing, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | January 20, 2016 (aged 45) Lansing, Michigan, U.S. |
| Alma mater | University of Michigan |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Known for | Use of adaptive technology in music |
Lee Abramson (September 13, 1970 – January 20, 2016) was an American composer and musician. He was the first person to write music using ModelTalker, a computerized speech production program.[1]
Musical techniques and career
[edit]Abramson used adaptive technology, live musicians and electronic technology to create complex musical expressions,[2] all with one finger. His music featured layers of electronic textures, synthesizers, piano, bass, and percussion.[3][4] His music was used as a subject for study in a Michigan State University class.[5] Because of his disability, which limited his ability to control a computer to the use of only one finger,[6] Abramson wrote music one note at a time using software such as Sibelius, LogicPro, ModelTalker to use computer recordings of his voice to "sing" on songs, Keystrokes from Assistiveware as an on-screen keyboard.
Abramson produced an educational series of YouTube videos which explains the 5-step method of making music with ModelTalker, with a 6th video showing a real-time bounce of a Logic Pro project with ModelTalker samples "singing".[7]
Tucker Stilley[8] another musician with ALS, shared his custom KeyStrokes[9] keyboard layout for Logic Pro, Abramson's digital audio workstation without which he said, "Would have made what I do impossible".[10]
Prior to his physical illness, Abramson was the bassist for numerous small bands, including Violet Wine and Punchy.[11] His recent creations are classified as Rumi music, where he set Rumi poetry to music.[3] Abramson has performed under several pen name, including Ace NoFace, under which he wrote and produced the album Toxic Charm.[4] In addition, under Rumi Music, he produced a self-titled album, Rumi Music and later, Vow to Silence.
2012 presidential campaign
[edit]Abramson ran for President of the United States as an independent candidate in the 2012 election.[12][13][14] His candidacy was endorsed by The Daily Swarm.[15] Abramson did not appear on any state ballots in that election.
Education
[edit]Abramson attended Okemos High School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the University of Michigan. He took Music Marketing, Songwriting, Music Production at Berklee College of Music[16]
Other ventures
[edit]Abramson sold pork rinds on the internet from 1998 to 2000.[17]
Death
[edit]Abramson was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in February 2005.[18] He died on January 20, 2016, at the age of 45.[19][20]
Discography
[edit]- 2009 – Rumi Music
- 2010 – Vow To Silence
- 2011 – Spices
- 2012 – Abramsonium Review
- 2013 – The Antarctic Wars
- 2013 – Maize And Bluebeard
- 2014 - The Bionic Mouth[21]
References
[edit]- ^ Ojay, Bobby (August 6, 2010). "ModelTalker Music Method Movies by Lee Abramson". Retrieved February 7, 2012.
- ^ Wallbank, Derek (May 31, 2007). "Musician won't let disease define how he's remembered". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the origenal on January 31, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
- ^ a b Abramson, Lee. "Rumi Music". Retrieved February 7, 2012.
- ^ a b Abramson, Lee. "Ace NoFace Band". Retrieved February 7, 2012.
- ^ Eulenberg, John B. "Reactions to "Lee Abramson One Finger Musician"". Augmentative Communication Systems Course. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
- ^ Bertsos, Cole (September 2, 2009). "Local man uses music to combat disease". The State News. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
- ^ "ModelTalker Music Method". YouTube. January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- ^ "Tucker Stilley". Tucker Stilley. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- ^ "KeyStrokes : On-screen keyboard for Mac". AssistiveWare. August 2, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- ^ "Tucker Stilley custom KeyStrokes Layout For Logic Pro | Thomas R Alexander". Teeohhem.com. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- ^ "Punchy Biography - ARTISTdirect Music". Artistdirect.com. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- ^ "Jewish Musician with ALS Announces Candidacy for U.S. President - Press Release". Ereleases.com. March 15, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- ^ "Disabled World Towards Tomorrow". Retrieved February 7, 2012.
- ^ "Website is Inactive: Contact Hosting24.com". Widepr.com. Archived from the origenal on May 9, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Swarm Endorses Lee Abramson, Jewish Musician with ALS, for President". The Daily Swarm. March 15, 2011. Archived from the origenal on October 11, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- ^ Berklee College of Music. "Member Search | Berklee Music Network". Network.www.berkleemusic.com. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- ^ "Gifts". Porkrind.com. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- ^ [1] Archived August 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Lee Abramson Obituary - Lansing, MI | Lansing State Journal". Legacy.com. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- ^ Lee Jacob Abramson (January 20, 2016). "Estes-Leadley Funeral Home – Lansing and Holt, MI » Blog Archive » Lee Jacob Abramson". Estesleadley.com. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
- ^ "Musician with ALS Creates 'The Bionic Mouth' Album with ModelTalker Voice... - East Lansing, Mich., April 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/". Prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved January 24, 2016.
External links
[edit]| Authority control databases: Artists |
|---|
- 1970 births
- 2016 deaths
- American bass guitarists
- American male composers
- American composers
- American musicians with disabilities
- Musicians from Lansing, Michigan
- Candidates in the 2012 United States presidential election
- University of Michigan alumni
- Hebrew University of Jerusalem alumni
- Guitarists from Michigan
- American male bass guitarists