INFORMATION
| Born In : | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Occupation(s) : | Musician, inventor, film score composer |
| Genres : | Ambient, world music, new-age, experimental, soundtrack |
Michael Brook, who was born in 1951 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is known more popularly in his capacity as a guitarist, inventor, music producer, and film music composer. He currently lives in Los Angeles and is known as the creator of the Infinite Guitar with effects and sequencer backing.
Michael Brook’s talent for music has been diverse as his work consists of many genres like minimalism, world music, electronica, rock, and film scores. His association with many world’s popular musicians has led him to one of the most sought-after producers in the music industry.
Career
It was at York University where Brook learned music and electronics and then started working as a sound engineer at the Grant Avenue Studios, later it was owned by the Lanois Brothers. Here Michael got the opportunity to work with Brian Eno, the Edge, Jon Hassell, and Harold Budd. In 1985, It was the year when Brook came with his maiden solo album “Hybrid”, having instrumental tracks with Indian and African elements.
“Sleep with the fishes” was the other popular work released by him in collaboration with Clan of Xymox member Pieter Nooten (4AD, 1987). Brook collaborated on the album Set by Youssou N’Dour, and another one is Miss America by Mary Margaret O’Hara. He also worked with legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan on the album Mustt Musst.
In December 1994, he was one of the members of the Sylvian and Fripp tour group and performed in the final concert at the Royal Albert Hall which was documented on the album Damage: Live. His concerts with a solo set thereby he featured the Infinite Guitar with effects and sequencer backing led his popularity to a dramatic uptick.
In 1998, he gave a tribute to singer Jose Jose by producing the album “Volcán: Tributo a José José”. In 2006, he released the album RockPaperScissors introducing several vocalists/songwriters such as Lisa Germano, Shira Myrow, and Paul Buchanan from the Blue Nile”. In 2007, he performed at small venues in Canada and the United States.
His music score for the film Brooklyn(2015) was applauded as The Hollywood Reporter said “evocative scoring”.
Awards and Honors
Brooks received lots of awards and honors in his career such as In 1996 he was one of the nominees for a Grammy Award for his work along with Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s album Night Song.
In 2008, nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his work in the movie “Into the Wild”.
In 2015, Two films Brooklyn and Aloft scored by him got the chance to be premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
In 2011 and 2013, Brook bagged the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers awards for the film The Fighter and The Vow respectively.
In 2011, he managed to win the Havana Film Festival award for best music for the film El Infierno.
