ABOUT
Charlie Hooper-Williams performs piano alongside a handcrafted system of reactive visuals and lights: algorithms coded to respond to the intricacies of each individual performance. No two shows are alike.
He also uses a custom-built “harmonics machine”, which attaches to the piano and unlocks sounds the instrument can’t otherwise make.
His work has been featured at SXSW, the Edinburgh Fringe and Glastonbury Festival. He has been praised as “a new exciting voice on the contemporary scene” (Times Radio), and his shows described as “lovely… really special, immersive” (Elizabeth Alker, BBC Radio 3) and “unmissable… a must-see show” (Smugglers Spirits). His most recent album, The Book of Fixed Stars, drew “a wonderful new album” from KEXP Radio and editorial support from Apple Music.
A prizewinning former concert pianist, Hooper-Williams won the new music prize at the International Shostakovich Piano Competition and has performed works by Rzewski and Corigliano, including city-level premieres. He collaborated with multi-Grammy-winning ensemble eighth blackbird before moving briefly into the tech industry to help develop the app Shazam, after which he returned to music as a composer and performer. Originally from the pine woods of Minnesota’s Iron Range, he grew up near Chicago, studied at the University of Cambridge Centre for Music and Science, and now makes his home in Bath.
The highlight of the festival. This is what SXSW is all about!
Lovely… really special, immersive show.
Music to soothe the soul… He's fantastic!
A new exciting voice on the contemporary scene.
Press & Media: Photos, EPK, tech rider, show description & bio text are all at charliehooperwilliams.com/assets
