Bio
In a uniquely satisfying musical synthesis, singer/composer Timothy Hill weaves a natural purity of voice with threads of otherworldly abstract sound, blending seamlessly into a style that transcends genre.
Having performed with such diverse artists as John Cage, Bill Frisell, Jeff Buckley, Allen Ginsberg, Odetta, Pete Seeger, Madan Gopal Singh, Pauline Oliveros, Iva Bittova, Brooklyn Raga Massive, and Brad Mehldau, Hill's musical explorations span folk, jazz, world music, contemporary classical and improvisation.
With David Hykes and the Harmonic Choir, he has been a pioneer in the art of harmonic singing, prompting The New York Times critic Robert Palmer to praise Hill as "a virtuoso of the Tibetan chanting technique."
Hill has released three recordings of original songs - This Bright World, The Human Place, and Spirit's Body. He contributed to the Grammy-nominated spoken-word-with-music collection Pete Seeger: The Storm King, and appears on recordings by artists such as jazz pianist/composer Brad Mehldau, alt-rock chanteuse Katell Keineg, klezmer clarinetist Giora Feidman, composer/cellist Robert Een, Irish traditional singer and flautist Cathal McConnell, and interspecies improviser/author David Rothenberg.
Hill performed on eight recordings by David Hykes and the Harmonic Choir, including their seminal work, Hearing Solar Winds. He leads or co-leads several ensembles performing original music, including New Cicada Trio with vocalist/violinist Iva Bittova and David Rothenberg, and Chimera, with Bittova, flautist Steve Gorn and bassist Michael Bisio. He has participated in premier performances under the direction of composers John Cage, Joe Maneri, Butch Morris and Carter Burwell.
Hill's wish to deepen his understanding of music brought him to the study of Indian classical music with Sheila Dhar and Pandit Vijay Kichlu, and music in the teaching of Gurdjieff with John Pentland and others. The broad scope and genre-crossing nature of his work has been deeply influenced by a unique musical friendship with pianist Keith Jarrett.
An active teacher, Hill has been a visiting lecturer at the Bard College Conservatory Graduate Vocal Arts Program, New York University, Dartmouth College, University of Minnesota and others.