Jack Vees

Jack Vees (born 1955) is an American composer and bassist from Camden, New Jersey.

Biography Both a performer (electric bass /guitar and electronics) and a composer, Vees has written music for his own ensemble, Chez Vees, and for groups such as Ensemble Modern, California EAR Unit, and Zeitgeist (ensemble). He has collaborated with performers Ashley Bathgate, Libby Van Cleve, Amy Knoles, as well as various choreographers and video artists. Influences include Louis Andriessen, John Cage, George Crumb, Charles Ives, Erik Satie, Joel Thome, and Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet).

Vees holds an undergraduate degree from Glassboro State College and an M.F.A. from California Institute of the Arts. Previous composition teachers include Louis Andriessen, Vinko Globokar, Stephen L. Mosko, Bernard Rands, and Morton Subotnick.

Notable compositions

Solo (with or without electronics) National Anthem (2000) for guitar and electronics

Surf Music Again (1996) for guitar and electronics

John Henry (1984) for bass guitar

Small ensemble Piano Trio (Hulk Smash!) (1994) for three players on two pianos

Tattooed Barbie (1991) for 12-string guitar, oboe, and computer

Child Bride (1988) for cello, electronics, and midi

Piece for Composition (1987) for multimedia and percussion Strummage 2000: The Restaurant Behind the Pier. Recommended Records. The Restaurant Behind the Pier John Henry Monsiur Piñata Surf Music II 1998: Emergency Music. Composers Recordings, Inc. Prom Face Devotion 1997: Surf Music Again. Composers Recordings, Inc. Tattooed Barbie Stigmata non Grata Piano Trio Rocket Baby Electric Piano Trio (Hulk Smash!) SPNFL Surf Music Again

Publications The Book on Bass Harmonics. Alfred Music Publishers. 1981.