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California Composer Terry Riley launched what is now known as the Minimalist movement with his revolutionary classic IN C in 1964. This seminal work provided a new concept in musical form based on interlocking repetitive patterns. It's impact was to change the course of 20th Century music and it's influence has been heard in the works of prominent composers such as Steve Reich, Philip Glass and John Adams and in the music of Rock Groups such as The Who, The Soft Machine, Tangerine Dream, Curved Air and many others. Terry's hypnotic, multi-layered, polymetric, brightly orchestrated eastern flavored improvisations and compositions set the stage for the prevailing interest in a New Tonality.

California Composer Terry Riley launched what is now known as the Minimalist movement with his revolutionary classic IN C in 1964. This seminal work Provided a new concept in musical form based on interlocking repetitive patterns. It's impact was to change the course of 20th Century music and it's influence has been heard in the works of prominent composers such as Steve Reich, Philip Glass and John Adams and in the music of Rock Groups such as The Who, The Soft Machine, Tangerine Dream, Curved Air and many others. Terry's hypnotic, multi-layered, polymetric, brightly orchestrated eastern flavored improvisations and compositions set the stage for the prevailing interest in a new tonality.

Gyan Riley is a gifted guitarist and composer whose work embraces classical repertoire, original compositions, and improvisation. While studying as the first full‐ scholarship guitar student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, he received a recording contract for his debut CD of original works, Food for the Bearded, released in 2002 on New Albion Records. He has since expanded his career as a composer and instrumentalist, receiving commissions from the Carnegie Hall Corporation, the American Composers Forum, the New York Guitar Festival, the Paul Dresher Ensemble, and the Elaine Kaufman Cultural Center.

Riley has performed throughout Europe and the U.S., both as a soloist and in various ensembles with artists such as Zakir Hussain, Michael Manring, Mike Marshall, Dawn Upshaw, the San Francisco Symphony, the Falla Guitar Trio, the World Guitar Ensemble and his father, the composer/pianist/vocalist Terry Riley. Last season he appeared at Carnegie Hall and gave a ten-concert tour of Ireland. Among the highlights of his 2009/ 10 season, he appeared at Bard College and Le Poisson Rouge in New York, premiered two new solo works at the New York Guitar Festival and a new quartet for the 15th Other Minds Music Festival in San Francisco, performed solo at the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, TN, and headlined the Boston Classical Guitar Society’s Festival 21 in April. In January, Gyan will appear for three performances of Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez with the Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra. As a teacher, Riley has served on the faculties of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, California State University Sacramento, California State University East Bay, and Humboldt State University. Gyan’s fourth recording of original compositions, entitled Stream of Gratitude, will be released on Tzadik Records in January 2011. More info, videos, and sound samples at www.gyanriley.com