Robert ÆOLUS Myers was an American composer, performer and producer best known for his cinematic soundscapes incorporating flute, synthesizer, and percussion. These works utilizing western classical and indigenous compositional stylings draw readily from Asian, Arabic, and African influences. He composed four albums — AEOLIAN MELODIES[1] and RAYS,[2] released by Global Pacific Records[3] in conjunction with CBS/Sony Group Inc.[4] and THE MAGICIAN[5] and HIGH PRIESTESS[6] as independent releases. He additionally appeared on multiple album projects and most closely collaborated with musicians Nelson Hiu, Kit Ebersbach, Bob Kindler, Gerardo Maza, and Vima Lamura.[7] ÆOLUS: A Retrospective,[8] a compilation album featuring works from all four albums was produced by Aloha Got Soul Records.[9] A compilation album including several remixes,Talisman, was released via Bandcamp on 26 April 2019.[10]
Robert ÆOLUS Myers has collaborated in performance art, experiential theatre, and modern dance presentations. He has worked with Cheryl Flaharty of Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre,[11] Valerie Bergman of Rainbow Dance Theatre,[12] and Earnest Morgan at Volcano and Kalani Honua Dance retreats. He has also performed with Tashi Leo Lightning.[13] He was artist in residence at Volcano Arts Center[14] on the Big Island of Hawaii, has been the recipient of multiple Meet the Composer grants, performed at Expo '92 in Seville, Spain, and was a participant in the New Music Across America concert series.
Robert has participated in devotional music for over 40 years. He has played harmonium and sung the Cosmic Chants of Yogananda[15] for Self Realization services, drummed for Sufi Dhikrs, played flute and percussion for the Mevlevi Turn, and was a long time inner circle musician for the Dances of Universal Peace as led by Yakzan Hugo Valdez. Before his death, Robert was playing in support of Kirtan Wallahs.[16]
Education
editRobert ÆOLUS Myers held an undergraduate degree in Ethnomusicology from the University of Hawaiʻi, a master's degree in Counseling Psychology with emphasis in Depth Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute, and was an initiate of Sheikh Yakzan Hugo Valdez a student of Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan of the Sufi Order in the West, of Murshid Samuel L. Lewis of Sufi Islamia Ruhaniat Society, and Suleyman Hayati Dede,[17] Sheikh of Konya of the Mevlevi Order.
Discography
editAlbums
edit- AEOLIAN MELODIES
- RAYS
- THE MAGICIAN
- HIGH PRIESTESS
Compilation albums
edit- ÆOLUS: A Retrospective
- Talisman
See also
editSources
edit- Bill Stone, 'New Age' Musician Stages Concert in Gothic Cathedral Hawaii Kai/East Oahu Sun Press, 16–22, Oct. 1986.
- Cary Smith, New Age Musicians Find Home Here Honolulu Star Bulletin, 31 August 1989.
- Jay Heartwell, He Doesn't Need an Orchestra The Honolulu Advertiser, 7 November 1985.
- Mike Gordon, The New Age of Music Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 5 November 1987.
- Roger Bong, ÆOLUS: An anthology from Hawaii’s new age visionary Robert ‘Aeolus’ Myers," Aloha Got Soul blog, 11 Dec. 2016.
References
edit- ^ "Robert Aeolus Myers – Aeolian Melodies (1984, Cassette) - Discogs". Discogs. June 23, 1984.
- ^ "Robert Aeolus Myers – Rays (1985, CD) - Discogs". Discogs. 1985.
- ^ "Global Pacific Records Label | Releases | Discogs". Discogs.
- ^ "CBS/Sony Group Inc. Label | Releases | Discogs". Discogs.
- ^ "Robert Æolus Myers* - The Magician | Releases | Discogs". Discogs. 1989.
- ^ "Robert Æolus Myers – High Priestess (2006, CD) - Discogs". Discogs. June 23, 2006.
- ^ "Sound Mandala Peace Garden | Meditation". VimaLamura.com. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ^ "A Retrospective, by Robert ÆOLUS Myers".
- ^ "Aloha Got Soul – New Music and Rare Reissues from Hawaii". Aloha Got Soul. February 29, 2024. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ^ "Talisman, by Robert ÆOLUS Myers".
- ^ Cheryl Flaharty of Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre [dead link]
- ^ "Rainbow Dance Theatre". rainbowdancetheatre.org. Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ^ "Untitled Document".
- ^ "Volcano Art Center – Where People, Art & Nature Meet". Retrieved March 20, 2024.
- ^ Yogananda, Paramahansa (1974). Cosmic Chants. Self-Realization Fellowship Publishers. ISBN 9780876121313.
- ^ "Kirtan Wallah Foundation".
- ^ http://www.hayatidede.org/about/our-lineage/#SuleymanHayatidedeLorasBio