Ezra Sims

Full biography Ezra Sims

Ezra Sims was an American microtonal composer born in 1928. He received his musical education at Harvard University and later studied at the New England Conservatory of Music. Sims' professional debut occurred in 1959 in New York on a Composers Forum program where he performed his 12-note ET music.

In 1960, Sims began writing microtonal music because he was compelled by his ear. Microtonal music is music that uses intervals smaller than half steps within an octave. Sims was interested in exploring the space between the notes rather than focusing on strict adherence to Western tuning systems. He believed that tuning systems should be flexible enough to adapt to different musical styles and traditions, and he drew inspiration from many cultures around the world in his work.

Throughout his career, Sims faced some challenges in getting his music accepted by traditional Western classical institutions. However, he was able to form his own ensemble, the Dinosaur Annex, in 1975 with the help of fellow composers Rodney Lister and Scott Wheeler. This group performed Sims' music as well as other contemporary works and became an important outlet for experimental music in the Boston area.

Sims' compositions include works for a wide variety of instruments, ranging from solo pieces to large ensembles. He also wrote several pieces for string quartets, such as String Quartet No. 2 (1962). In addition to his work as a composer, Sims also taught music at various institutions, including Brandeis University and the New England Conservatory of Music.

Sims passed away in 2015, but his legacy as one of the leading figures in microtonal music lives on. He is remembered for his innovative use of tuning systems and his ability to draw inspiration from a wide range of musical styles and traditions in his compositions.