Vincent Giles

Vincent Giles is a composer and improviser from Melbourne, Australia. A primarily self-taught jazz musician, he has recently turned his attention to composition, studying under Dr. Thomas Reiner, Peter McIlwain, Dr Russell Goodwin, Tim Dargavill and Myles Mumford at the School of Music Conservatorium, Monash University, with guest tuition by Barry Conyngham. He completed the Bachelor degree in 2011, and is looking forward to further studies at the honours and postgraduate levels.

Vincent has played professionally around Melbourne and Victoria since he finished high school in 2003 performing folk music, pop/rock, jazz, blues and the avant-garde. In 2009, his avant-garde trio Fracture released an album on the Clinical Archives netlabel which was well received.

A passionate interest in the musics of central and south-east Asia spurred Vincent on a quarter-year backpacking trip through India, Thailand, Laos and Bali to experience the music in its original cultural setting and this experience can be heard in his compositions. He also has a very profound interest in Australia’s musical identity, and seeks to explore what might be the quintessential sound of Australia through his compositions.

Vincent has been influenced by the music of John Cage, Toru Takemitsu, Igor Stravinsky, Ross Edwards, Houston Dunleavy, Erik Satie, Claude Debussy and many, many others. His compositions are regularly performed around Australia and internationally, with recent performances including:

“Fantasie Australis” at the Larry Sitzky Recital Room, ANU, Canberra. (Monash Flute Ensemble)
“Differing Dialogues” at the Larry Sitzky Recital Room, ANU, Canberra. (Peter Sheridan)
“Impressions of Satie II” at the Lyceum Club, Melbourne. (Teresa Lau)
“Elephant Trio” at the Monash University Music Auditorium, Melbourne. (Jess Berton and Alice Bennett)
Vincent is a full writer member of APRA.