The members of Spooky actions
John Gunther is a composer and multi-instrumentalist playing Soprano, Alto, and Tenor Sax, Clarinet, and Flute. He draws inspiration for his composition and improvisation from diverse sources, from 20th century classical music to folk traditions from around the world. He has performed or recorded with John Abercrombie, Buddy DeFranco, Dizzy Gillespie, Tom Harrel, Dewey Redman, Joe Williams, The Woody Herman Orchestra, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and The Maria Schneider Orchestra. He was composer in residence for The Toronto Fringe Dance Festival in 2003 and has composed the music for several independent feature films and animations. As part of New York city's "downtown" music scene for many years, he has produced five recordings for Creative Improvised Music Projects (CIMP)and is co-founder of "Spooky Actions". He has received grants from “Meet the Composer” and the National Endowment for the Arts and is founder of turnworld.com. John is an Assistant Professor in Jazz Studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder and received his Ph.D. from New York University in composition.
Bruce Arnold (born July 31, 1955 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA) is an American jazz guitarist, composer, educator and author residing in New York City. His explorations into the applications of 20th century classical theory in contemporary forms such as Rock and Jazz has created a unique compositional and improvisational sound. As a guest artist Arnold has toured Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Japan, Mexico, Russia and the United States. His performance and recording activities include work with a wide array of styles. He has played with such diverse musicians as Stuart Hamm, Peter Erskine, Joe Pass, Joe Lovano, Lennie Pickett, Randy Brecker, Stanley Clarke, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Absolute Ensemble under the baton of Kristjan Järvi. Bruce Arnold's recording credits include over twenty five CDs and DVDs (on Muse-eek Records, MelBay Recordings, Truefire and other labels), ranging from the standard jazz repertoire to free improvisation to the reinterpretations of classical music with the ensemble Spooky Actions. His compositions are published by Muse Eek Publishing, and MelBay Productions. Mr. Arnold's theoretical works have explored the use of Pitch Class Set Theory within an improvisational setting. He is also written more than 60 music instruction books covering Guitar Pedagogy, Ear Training and Time Studies. He is the director of Guitar Studies at New York University and Princeton University as well as the creator of the New York University Summer Guitar Intensive He has taught at New England Conservatory of Music, Dartmouth College, Berklee College of Music, New School University, and City College of New York.
