Jelani Surpris on SoundBetter

I enjoy working with my clientele, getting to know their interests, seeing what their problems might be, and addressing the situation with the knowledge given to me and all around me. As a specialist, I am flexible and ALWAYS listen and respond to feedback. LET'S MAKE MUSIC!

JELANI N. SURPRIS is a contemporary classical composer from Atlanta, Georgia (USA). His musical style can be looped into numerous aesthetic genres ranging from minimalism, new simplicity, new complexity, etc. That being said, Surpris is an active participant in multiple styles of music. Surpris is an advocate and supporter of modernity in 21st Century contemporary music. As an active voice in new music, Surpris has had the opportunity to collaborate with ensembles of incredible ability including the premiere USA-based contemporary string quartet, JACK Quartet on his piece entitled, “from total darkness”. The piece was, as described by the JACK Quartet’s violinist Austin Wulliman, “reminiscent of Lachenmann’s masterwork, Grido.” As of recent, Surpris has received commissions from prominent ensembles/performers and has three premieres within the 2022-2023 season. Those groups included are Castle of Our Skins commissioned him for Wind Ensemble as a part of their RTMP X COOS Commissioning Project; the Schwob Philharmonic who programmed Surpris next to Mahler’s Fifth Symphony; and contemporary flutist, Alexis Eubanks who commissioned a premiere at the University of Michigan for 2023. Upon graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Music Composition from Columbus State University, Surpris plans to pursue a dual master's and P.h.d. in Music Composition in the United States or Germany.

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