Biography
Jesse Gelaznik is an artist and musician that is obsessed with sound in all its forms. He performs on guitar, synthesizer and electronics with the performance art collective Dirty Churches. Jesse has composed music for Experiments in Opera, S.E.M. Ensemble, HUB New Music, Sembrich Opera Museum, Mattress Factory Museum, Sharjah Art Foundation and the Brooklyn Public Library. He has collaborated extensively with installation artist Andréa Stanislav and filmmakers Daniel Garcia and Rania Attieh. His operas have premiered at La MaMa Galleria (Era of Good Feelings, 2019), Mattress Factory Museum (RUMPLES video opera, 2021) and HERE Arts Center (Five Ways to Die - Mischief or Rathattan, 2024). Jesse has studied counterpoint comprehensively with Judith Berkson and Western Harmony for Guitar with Jason Cady. In addition to music Jesse draws compulsively, filling sketchbook after sketchbook with pastel and charcoal drawings that range from plein air landscapes to science fiction surrealism. His drawings have been quoted as “stunning” and “eye catching’ by the New York Times (Footnote for the End of Time, Theater in Quarantine, 2020).
Commissioned Works
2025
Death and Signs of Re-birth, Alisa Minyukova and the Brooklyn Public Library, half hour solo performance.
Ransom Note by Jangles Zeeski, S.E.M. Ensemble’s New Scores by emerging composers, 10-minute piece for solo violin.
2024
Five Ways to Die - Mischief or Rathattan, Experiments in Opera’s Writers Room workshop, approx. 20-minute opera.
Spinner Song, Andréa Stanislav, Russian Museum of Art, vocal loop for multi-channel sound installation.
2023
Cubes and Anarchy, an homage to David Snith, Sembrich Opera Museum in conjunction with the Hyde Museum, 10-minute quartet premiered by HUB New Music with pre-recorded sound elements.
Sembrich Sound Trails, Sembrich Opera Museum, site specific sound-walk designed for a walking trail and headphones.
2021
Surmatants – Mars rising by Andréa Stanislav, Mattress Factory Museum, musical score and multi-channel sound installation.
Rumples, video opera, Andréa Stanislav and the Mattress Factory Museum, 20-minute video opera.
2020
Footnote for the End of Time, Theater in Quarantine, video illustrations.
2019
ERA OF GOOD FEELINGS, La MaMa Galleria, one hour opera.
2018
String loop for THE AЯTS, Kevin Doyle and La MaMa, 4-track tape loop for viola.
2012
PWR&$$$ (collaboration with Daniel Garcia), Sharjah Art Foundation Biennial X, sound installation and CD.
PWR&$$$ (collaboration with Daniel Garcia), Victoria and Albert Museum’s Friday Nite Late Series, sound installation.
Film Soundtracks
2019
Initials S.G. directed by Rania Attieh and Daniel Garcia (composer).
2017
The Second Shift (TV mini series), directed by Rania Attieh and Daniel Garcia, (composer).
2015
SkyLine directed by Miguel Drake McLaughlin and Jonny Leahan, (composer).
2014
H. directed by Rania Attieh and Daniel Garcia, (composer).
Recommended by Enrique, directed by Rania Attieh and Daniel Garcia (composer).
2000
Things Behind the Sun, directed by Allison Anders, (actor).
Albums
Falling (EP) CD and digital release on Cmntx Records also available at Printed Matter.
Andréa Stanislav’s Surmantants - Mars Rising (Album) Vinyl available at Printed Matter.
PWR&$$$ - Meditations On Inertia And Other Low Key Qualities, Bandcamp.
Jesse Gelaznik - Dvorak (1 minute sound-art) download available at Mute Sound.
Getting Rid of the Glue, Dirty Churches - Eat Birth, Pendu Sound Recordings.
More digital downloads and online streaming available on Spotify / bandcamp / SoundCloud.
Press
New York Classical Review - Breathless comedy reigns in a quartet of new works from Experiments in Opera (composer)
New York Times - Review: Bringing Borges to Life in ‘Footnote for the End of Time’ (illustrator)
Times Union - Classical Notes: The marriage of art, music at the Hyde (composer)
La MaMa Blogs, 6 Questions - Jesse Gelaznik (composer)
Variety - H. Film Review (composer)
Hollywood Reporter - H.’ Sundance Review (composer)
Good Art News - Andréa Stanislav (composer)
STEREOGUM - I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness – “You Are Dead To Me” Video” (film director)
Huffington Post - Short Films, Live Score (composer)
Vice - Be a Guest in the Cavern (composer)
Vice - Life Inside the Dome (blog entry)
Vice - Blue Moon Burlesque (blog entry)
Vice - Advice to a Young Man from an Old Man Twice Married (illustrator)