- San Diego, CA
- tuba
- electronics
Dr. Jonathan Piper is a San Diego-based tubist and technologist. His work as a tubist centers on the exploration of sonic and gestural possibilities found at the limits of both the instrument and the performing body. Supported by extended techniques and live electronic processing, he combines elements of drone, doom, noise, free jazz, and contemporary idioms. He performs as a soloist and in a variety of duo projects, including with Michelle Lou (go by land), Ryan Ebaugh (1515), vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Meghann Welsh (Codex Confiteor), percussionist Eric Derr (Company Culture), drummer Nick Lesley, and more. He has recently appeared at Drone Not Drones, High Desert Soundings, and Project [BLANK]’s Working Title.
Jonathan has given talks on his work as a tubist and experimental musician at CalArts, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and UC Irvine. As a scholar, he has researched and presented work on ontologies in digital media, online fandom practices, and embodiment in heavy metal music. Jonathan received degrees in musical performance at UC Los Angeles and music at UC San Diego, where he completed his dissertation Locating Experiential Richness in Doom Metal.
Instagram: @jonathan.n.piper