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Lee Abramson

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Not to be confused with Leon Abramson.

Lee Abramson
Born(1970-09-13)September 13, 1970
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
DiedJanuary 20, 2016(2016-01-20) (aged 45)
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Michigan
OccupationMusician
Known forUse of adaptive technology in music

Lee Abramson (September 13, 1970 – January 20, 2016) was an American composer and musician. He was the first person to write music using ModelTalker, a computerized speech production program.[1]

Musical techniques and career

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Abramson used adaptive technology, live musicians and electronic technology to create complex musical expressions,[2] all with one finger. His music featured layers of electronic textures, synthesizers, piano, bass, and percussion.[3][4] His music was used as a subject for study in a Michigan State University class.[5] Because of his disability, which limited his ability to control a computer to the use of only one finger,[6] Abramson wrote music one note at a time using software such as Sibelius, LogicPro, ModelTalker to use computer recordings of his voice to "sing" on songs, Keystrokes from Assistiveware as an on-screen keyboard.

Abramson produced an educational series of YouTube videos which explains the 5-step method of making music with ModelTalker, with a 6th video showing a real-time bounce of a Logic Pro project with ModelTalker samples "singing".[7]

Tucker Stilley[8] another musician with ALS, shared his custom KeyStrokes[9] keyboard layout for Logic Pro, Abramson's digital audio workstation without which he said, "Would have made what I do impossible".[10]

Prior to his physical illness, Abramson was the bassist for numerous small bands, including Violet Wine and Punchy.[11] His recent creations are classified as Rumi music, where he set Rumi poetry to music.[3] Abramson has performed under several pen name, including Ace NoFace, under which he wrote and produced the album Toxic Charm.[4] In addition, under Rumi Music, he produced a self-titled album, Rumi Music and later, Vow to Silence.

2012 presidential campaign

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Abramson ran for President of the United States as an independent candidate in the 2012 election.[12][13][14] His candidacy was endorsed by The Daily Swarm.[15] Abramson did not appear on any state ballots in that election.

Education

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Abramson attended Okemos High School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the University of Michigan. He took Music Marketing, Songwriting, Music Production at Berklee College of Music[16]

Other ventures

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Abramson sold pork rinds on the internet from 1998 to 2000.[17]

Death

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Abramson was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in February 2005.[18] He died on January 20, 2016, at the age of 45.[19][20]

Discography

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References

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  1. ^ Ojay, Bobby (August 6, 2010). "ModelTalker Music Method Movies by Lee Abramson". Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  2. ^ Wallbank, Derek (May 31, 2007). "Musician won't let disease define how he's remembered". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2012.
  3. ^ a b Abramson, Lee. "Rumi Music". Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  4. ^ a b Abramson, Lee. "Ace NoFace Band". Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  5. ^ Eulenberg, John B. "Reactions to "Lee Abramson One Finger Musician"". Augmentative Communication Systems Course. Retrieved February 26, 2012.
  6. ^ Bertsos, Cole (September 2, 2009). "Local man uses music to combat disease". The State News. Retrieved October 22, 2010.
  7. ^ "ModelTalker Music Method". YouTube. January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  8. ^ "Tucker Stilley". Tucker Stilley. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  9. ^ "KeyStrokes : On-screen keyboard for Mac". AssistiveWare. August 2, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  10. ^ "Tucker Stilley custom KeyStrokes Layout For Logic Pro | Thomas R Alexander". Teeohhem.com. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  11. ^ "Punchy Biography - ARTISTdirect Music". Artistdirect.com. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  12. ^ "Jewish Musician with ALS Announces Candidacy for U.S. President - Press Release". Ereleases.com. March 15, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  13. ^ "Disabled World Towards Tomorrow". Retrieved February 7, 2012.
  14. ^ "Website is Inactive: Contact Hosting24.com". Widepr.com. Archived from the original on May 9, 2011. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  15. ^ "Daily Swarm Endorses Lee Abramson, Jewish Musician with ALS, for President". The Daily Swarm. March 15, 2011. Archived from the original on October 11, 2014. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  16. ^ Berklee College of Music. "Member Search | Berklee Music Network". Network.www.berkleemusic.com. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  17. ^ "Gifts". Porkrind.com. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  18. ^ [1] Archived August 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ "Lee Abramson Obituary - Lansing, MI | Lansing State Journal". Legacy.com. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  20. ^ Lee Jacob Abramson (January 20, 2016). "Estes-Leadley Funeral Home – Lansing and Holt, MI » Blog Archive » Lee Jacob Abramson". Estesleadley.com. Retrieved January 24, 2016.
  21. ^ "Musician with ALS Creates 'The Bionic Mouth' Album with ModelTalker Voice... - East Lansing, Mich., April 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/". Prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved January 24, 2016.
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