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]
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 |
Musical techniques and career
editAbramson 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
editAbramson 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
editAbramson 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
editAbramson sold pork rinds on the internet from 1998 to 2000.[17]
Death
editAbramson 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 original 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 original 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 original 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.