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BassJory Herman
Jory Herman has been a member of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra since 2010 and has previously performed with the National Symphony in Washington D.C. and the New World Symphony in Miami Beach. In 2016 Mr. Herman joined Art of Élan as Director of Community Engagement and hopes to inspire a new generation of arts lovers in the San Diego area. A native of Houston, he received both a Bachelors and Masters of Music Performance in an Honors 5-year degree program at Rice University. Beyond the Symphony, he is a regular performer with Art of Élan, Luscious Noise, Camarada, San Diego New Music, Carlsbad Music Festival and Camera Lucida. His music education experiences include private teaching, bass instruction for the Mira Mesa and Rancho Bernardo High School Orchestra programs and teaching as a Studio Artist Teacher at San Diego State University. In May 2013 he released his debut solo album, J.S. Bach: Unaccompanied Suites Performed on Double Bass (available on iTunes). The Union-Tribune praised this album stating, “You’ll never think of the bass the same way again.” Learn more at www.JoryHerman.com.
JORY HERMAN: BASSIST AND VIDEO ARTIST
An anxious audience awaits; a video screen invited to dance along to the flow of beautiful music stubbornly refuses to do so. Jory Herman, with a wink and a grin, entreats the audience for their patience until the show can go on. And suddenly, it does: the mistake is found, and Jory is able to sync his video with a full orchestra at a 2009 New World Orchestra Workshop conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas. No sweat!
San Diego Symphony Orchestra bassist Jory Herman is a videography artist. He paints pictures to music through different elements such as lights and videos. We know what you’re thinking; it’s like a screen saver, a little effect that has nothing to do with the music, just something pretty to play in the background. On the contrary, it is quite the opposite. Jory’s video pieces are meant to intuit and reflect the feeling of the music. Either being very minimalist or inherently intricate, these image collages compliment the music in an abstract, though relatable way.
Jory has been putting together these pieces since 2009, creating about one or two a year. He has created selections for both instrumental solos and small and large ensembles. Although there are many works in the repertoire that he has already conquered, Jory says that he wouldn’t attempt anything from the Romantic/Classical/Baroque period: “Those pieces of music are already so full of elements and emotion it would be hard to find just the right match.” Jory is all about finding the right visual ideas to supplement and harmonize with the music, not distracting from the music.
Jory continues to create these video synchronizations. And while we hope there aren’t any more technical difficulties like in 2009, we can’t wait to see what else he creates. For a closer look at Jory’s video artwork, check out his website!
FUN FACT: Jory also competes in triathlons. There isn’t any one thing that he likes the most about competing. It’s a compilation of all the elements that take up the preparations. “It’s kind of like preparing to play music, in a way,” Jory says.GETTING TO KNOW JORY HERMAN…
Q: What is your favorite travel destination?
A: Boulder, Colorado
Q: What good book have you read most recently?
A: The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell
Q: What do you love most about San Diego (other than the weather)?
A: Mission Bay is breathtaking at night.
Q: What is your choice for dining in San Diego?
A: Sushi Ota
Q: The non-musical accomplishment you are most proud of is…?
A: Not my accomplishment, but worth sharing…my mother is attending medical school. Way to go, Mom!