Charles Amirkhanian

Full biography Charles Amirkhanian

Charles Amirkhanian is an American composer, percussionist, sound poet, and radio producer who was born on January 19, 1945, in Fresno, California. He is known for his contributions to contemporary music, particularly in the realm of new music and experimental composition. Amirkhanian started his musical career as a percussionist, and his early experiences in performing inspired him to write music.

Amirkhanian has been a prominent figure in the world of contemporary music for over four decades, having worked as the music director for the notorious KPFA radio station in Berkeley, California, and during this time he became known for championing emerging and marginalized composers, performers, and sound artists. He has also gained attention for his work in sound poetry and his contributions to the development of the text-sound composition.

Aside from his work in radio and sound art, Amirkhanian is also a respected composer in his own right. He has written a large number of compositions, many of them experimental in nature, and has collaborated with a variety of other artists and musicians over the years. Amirkhanian's work often incorporates unconventional sound sources, such as field recordings, found sounds, and sound poetry, among other things.

Some of Amirkhanian's notable works include "Walking Tune," "Mental Radio," "Ratchet Attach It," and the upcoming album "Miatsoom." He has also curated a number of festivals and events that have showcased the work of other musicians and sound artists, and has been celebrated for his efforts to bring new and experimental music to the mainstream.

Overall, Charles Amirkhanian is a celebrated and influential figure in the world of contemporary music, known for his contributions to new and experimental music and his advocacy for emerging and marginalized artists.