BM University of Kansas
MM Indiana University

402 Baird Hall
University at Buffalo

Tel (716) 645-2765 ext 1270
Fax (716) 645-3824
Email: avery3@buffalo.edu

James Avery studied piano and conducting with Roy Hamlin Johnson and Robert Baustian at the University of Kansas, and with Walter Robert and Tibor Kozma at Indiana University.  As a Fulbright scholar he continued his studies in piano with Carl Seemann at the Hochschule für Musik in Freiburg, Germany. A prizewinner in the International Gaudeamus Competition for Interpreters of Contemporary Music in Holland, Avery has performed as pianist and conductor in major festivals for new music worldwide, in the festival for chamber music in Lockenhaus (Austria), and with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe.  He was visiting artist at the American Academy in Rome and has been professor of piano at the University of Iowa (1967/1980), the Hochschule für Musik, Freiburg (1980/2004), and the Eastman School of Music (1986/1988).  From 1989 to 1992 he was pianist and conductor with ensemble recherche, since 1992 artistic director of SurPlus, an ensemble for new music based in Freiburg.   

New CD releases in 2007:

Mathias Spahlinger
Neos Music
Farben der Frühe for 7 pianos
Ensemble SurPlus
James Avery, conductor

Stefan Wolpe
Bridge Records
Oboe Sonata
Fragment for oboe and piano
Song, Speech, Hymn, Strophe for oboe and piano
Piece in Two Parts for flute and piano
Oboe Quartet
Heinz Holliger, oboe
Robert Aitken, flute
James Avery, piano/conductor
Ensemble SurPlus