Terry Riley is an influential American composer and musician often credited as one of the founders of the minimalist music movement. Born on June 24, 1935, in Colfax, California, Riley's work has spanned the realms of minimalism, jazz, and Indian classical music. He studied at Shasta College, San Francisco State University, and the University of California at Berkeley, where his encounters with the avant-garde and electronic tape techniques would deeply inform his compositional approach.

Throughout his career, Riley has significantly impacted contemporary Western music, particularly with his groundbreaking composition "In C" (1964), which is considered a seminal work of minimalist music. This piece laid the groundwork for repetitive, structured soundscapes that allowed for flexibility in performance, influencing a generation of composers, including Philip Glass and Steve Reich. In addition to keyboard and tape works, Riley has produced a large body of improvisatory piano music, and his collaboration with the Kronos Quartet on compositions like "Sun Rings" has demonstrated his versatility and willingness to experiment. His recent works, such as "Autodreamographical Tales," and "The Palmian Chord Ryddle & At the Royal Majestic," showcase his continued relevance and innovation in the field of contemporary music. Celebrated for his ability to incorporate a rich variety of musical traditions into his compositions, Riley's work remains a touchstone in the evolution of 20th and 21st-century music.

Genres

21st Century Classical

American Contemporary Classical

Avant-garde

Compositional Ambient

Contemporary Classical

Experimental

Fourth World

Minimalism

Tzadik

Latest Release

Kiss Yo' Ass Goodbye

Red Hot Org•

Terry Riley•

Kronos Quartet

Single - Released June 18, 2024