Biography
Sunday 14-Mar-10 18:29:14 EDT
Photo by Ashley dePrisco
Q: Who is Jeremy dePrisco?
A: A composer who thrives on juxtaposing Delta blues with everything from the comparative mythology of Joseph Campbell to the poetry of Rumi and Buddhist teachings. In general, Jeremy's music advocates self-discovery and explores the human condition with spiritual themes in a sectarian way.
Jeremy’s music is best described as American folk-blues & roots music. Live shows feature a collection of original compositions, blues material and cover songs by artists such as Jethro Tull, Tom Waits, and Cat Stevens.
recording
While Jeremy performs throughout the US, his first love is recording and exploring sound design. Early recording experiences included WVIA’s Homegrown Music program with producer George Graham (a short-run release of a 1997 performance recently went out of print). In 1999 Jeremy released his first folk-rock album, Mandala, on his label Blue Buddha Records. The gritty, more acoustic Cadillacs & Tarantulas followed in 2002.
In 2003 Jeremy began two significant intercultural explorations. A chance encounter with The Bodó Band from Hungary resulted in a West Coast tour with Jeremy playing string bass. Then, working with Bengali tabla player Mostafizur Rahman, Jeremy released his 2004 CD, Bloomsburg to Bangladesh, a collection of East/West fusion that included a cover of “Yesterday is Here” by Tom Waits.
While continuing to perform and do shows for WVIA every so often, Jeremy has maintained a working relationship with theatre director and professor Dr. Stephen Schrum. One example is the Greek play Iphigenia, which involved Internet collaboration between composer and director. Several songs from Mandala appeared in a production of Peer Gynt. Schrum currently teaches at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. Their 2006 collaboration, Immaculate Misconceptions, was based on an original play about Schrum’s Catholic grade-school days. The project resulted in an album of original music.
Always prolific, 2007 saw the release of Catch the Squirrel, a collection of songs that features originals along side covers of Tom Waits and Leadbelly material. The album was a top pick for 2007 by WVIA FM's George Graham. A virtual reprise of Immaculate Misconceptions was offered in "<span class="linkdark"><em>Second Life</em>" in 2008.
intercultural studies
Jeremy is currently enrolled in the leadership track of the Communications Studies program at Bloomsburg University PA. These studies have included a focus on intercultural issues. Exchanges have continued with the Dialog Forum (State College, PA), Bloomsburg University’s RACE committee, and Geisinger Health System’s Cultural Diversity Task Force.
theatre
In addition to working with Dr. Schrum, Jeremy has composed and provided sound design for theatre since the early 90s for a number of troupes:
Bloomsburg Alumni Players, PA
Compassion Moves, Bloomsburg, PA
Bloomsburg Players, Bloomsburg, PA
Rainbow’s End Theatre Co., Nesquehoning, PA
Penn State Hazleton Campus, Hazleton, PA
Univ. of Charleston, WV
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, PA
Since the early 90s, Jeremy has been an event producer throughout NE and Central PA. Currently he works with Greenwood Friends School and other groups. Past experience includes grant writing, marketing, artist relations and volunteer work with American Cancer Society, Muscular Dystrophy Assoc., COMPEER, Mental Health Assoc.
Bengal Association of Bloomsburg Area (BABA)
Jeremy is currently serving a two-year term as Secretary. He has helped organize BABA’s annual Noboborsho festival for several years. This association has included work with South Indian dancer Shoba Kumar, Tagore singer Nandini Sengupta and tabla maestro Topan Modak.
professional affiliations
ASCAP - American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers; Member 1993 - present. Special Award Recipient '96-06
Folk Alliance - Member (1996 - 2000)
Informal Showcase performer NE Regional (1996), Exhibitor (1999), Conference volunteer.
Phi Kappa Phi – 2007 - present
current/upcoming projects
In the Fall of 2009, Jeremy began playing bass with the Anthony Avenue Ensemble which features guitarist Michael Hickey, Dave Eisenhower on drums and Safa Saracoglu on percussion. Their debut performance at Treefest in Bloomsburg was well received, and more special appearances are being scheduled. The Anthony Avenue Ensemble plays blues, rock and jazz standards, with original songs by Hickey and dePrisco.
Jeremy continues to offer workshops on audio recording, guitar and world music. Other services include sound reinforcement, public relations, music production, CD production consultation, web design, and media archiving. Other recording credits include production for satirist Tom Dennehy and others.
In his spare time Jeremy enjoys hiking, nature photography and reading Sufi poetry.
websites
www.mindspeak.com
cdbaby.com/cd/dePrisco
youtube.com/shivasongster
myspace.com/jeremydeprisco
You can also find Jeremy’s music at Amazon.com:
... and iTunes.
Download a PDF of this bio