Starbuster (his 80's name) - started composing with synthesizer keyboards in 1981 - and was written up as one of the founders of the "New Age" music movement., though some called his music "New Wave". He ended his composing in 1988 to pursue other dreams. His early 1980's releases were spacey/ambient/psychedelic music (much like the "Trance" music of today) as well as what might be called "world music" now - with some classical, jazz fusion, and a few more styles thrown in. He is coming back 20 years later - under a new name - for a new era..... Voyamis.....visual music - to bring you closer to your soul.
Starbuster's first release called "Starburst" - was space/ambient. In 1983 - he came out with "ESP" and "Protosyn" and in 1988 - Ocean Sand.
His albums were written up in Op, Keyboard, Electronic Musician Magazine, and a number of other publications. From 1981-1988 - he received worldwide airplay on a number of independent radio stations - many of them - in Europe.
In 1982 - he received Electronic Musician's "Debut of the Year" award. He didn't know much about the music business and only cared to compose. So - he had no agent, and no prime location such as LA or the UK. He just sent out cassette tapes (mastered down from a Tascam Model 38 8 track deck) to radio stations all over the world that ended up playing his music....and giving it rave reviews. His tools included a Prophet 5, Emax digital sampling keyboard, Korg VC-10 Vocoder, Sequential Circuits Drumtrax, and a Roland TR-606.
Starbuster's music was been described as intellectual, sensual, stimulating, spacey (though not here), ambient, exotic electronica, swirly, sometimes dreamy, something throbbing, sometimes...... In other words - diverse. He composed in any style you can imagine - with sounds that you have never heard - in combinations that you have never heard. He believes that people limit themselves musically - when they confine themselves to conventional sounds and instruments. Europeans, especially appreciated his music...
Starbuster is mostly Swiss by ancestry - but also a bit German, Irish, and French. He is related to Mary Cassat (a painter)
In the 1980's - he was compared to Vangelis and Jean-Michel Jarre - and now & then - Tomita. He is now coming back - and plans to regarded as one of the best composers that has ever lived....
Starbuster believes that life is about collaboration and mutual creation. The act of creation is a spiritual act. Whether you are cooking, making love, or composing music. We are part of the creator - so we should create... What we create with each other...and how we influence each other... makes life more fulfilling. Like is not about acquisition of more material things - but expressing your soul through your creations - and going for your dreams...
Starbuster sits in with various bands in the Chicago area - typically at jazz/blues clubs. He has played with over 400 bands in the Chicago area - and is highly regarded...He can play any song by ear - even ones he does not know & also has perfect pitch.
When he was a tiny tot - his father had him listening to The Preservation Hall Jazz band, Acker Bilk, Pete Fountain, Al Hirt -- and other New Orleans music. He started playing trumpet at age 6 - and had 12 years of piano and trumpet lessons.
At age 6 - he was entertaining his first grade class - by playing along with Herb Alpert records (note for note) - with his friend Charles on the bongos. He went on to become the number one trumpeter out of 80 - at Madison West High School in Madison, Wisconsin - and later was first chair in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Concert Band.
He is currently composing movie soundtrack material about Italy - some of which - you can hear, here.
He states "I define music as sound organized in time. Sound evaporates in time, yet our music defines us. It brings order to chaos by marking the significant events in our lives, walks us through hard times, and grants us direct access to thoughts and feelings we didn't know we have - or that we may have forgotten. Music can give you a sense of magic, peace, love, harmony - make you feel sad, or glad - or inspire you - to go for your dreams."