Martha Mooke
Martha Mooke, composer/electroacoustic violist, a pioneer in the field of electric five string viola, transcends musical boundaries by synthesizing her classical music training with extended techniques, digital effects processing and improvisation. A Yamaha, Eventide and Thomastik-Infeld Artist, she is a leading clinician on electric and progressive approaches to string playing including the use of electronics, extended techniques and improvisation.
Mooke's diverse schedule includes touring, clinics and lecture demonstrations. She has toured internationally as a member of Barbra Streisand's acclaimed orchestra during the 2006 North American, 2007 European and the 2012 Back to Brooklyn tours. She has also toured with Peter Gabriel, Damon Albarn (Blur/Gorillaz), Marco Antonio Solis and Andrea Bocelli and traveled the U.S., Canada and Mexico with Star Wars In Concert. She has performed with Sir Elton John, Bon Jovi, Moby, Enya, Tony Bennett, Al DiMeola, John Cale, The Orchestra of St. Luke's and others. She has appeared on The Tonight Show, Regis Live, The David Letterman Show, The View, Late Night with Conan O'Brien and The Rosie O'Donnell Show.
Martha Mooke is founder, violist and Music Director of The Scorchio Quartet. They have performed with David Bowie, Philip Glass, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, Lou Reed, Michael Stipe, Regina Spektor, Moby, Trey Anastasio, and Ziggy Marley among others. Scorchio, the House Quartet for the annual Tibet House Benefit Concerts at Carnegie Hall produced by Philip Glass, appears on David Bowie's 2002 release Heathen.
Ms. Mooke has received awards from ASCAP, Meet the Composer and Arts International among others. Besides her catalog of works for solo and ensemble electric strings, she has composed music for theater and ballet and served as Music Director for national and international events. Her solo debut Enharmonic Vision and the Café Mars CD (by the duo Bowing Martha's collaboration with guitarist Randolph Hudson, III) have attracted wide critical acclaim. She is currently recording her next solo CD with Grammy winning producer Cynthia Daniels.