Sten Höstfält
Composer Guitarist
Producer Educator
Theorist Scholar
AFM Local 802, NAfME, MEANYC, SMT, AES,
GFA, UFT, NYSUT, AFT, AFL-CIO, JFA & BMI
Sten Hostfalt
Biography
Manifested in a four-decade innovative commitment to music, via exploration of the parameter of pitch, and self-invented instrumental techniques, contributing to the expansion of the vocabulary of the guitar, and to music of our time. Sten Höstfält (Hearst-felt) is a leading guitarist/composer working on the New York music scene of today. He performs with some of the most original, unique voices in modern music, and has been called highly exceptional by legendary icon of American Music Jimmy Giuffre, and virtuosic by musical innovator Joe Maneri (Jon Damian, Fresh Music, 2015). His music is described as among the most riveting explorations of the microtonal world ever recorded (Signal to Noise, 2005), taking you on a journey to a place where anything is possible (All About Jazz, 2004), and as genuinely innovative, predicted to be groundbreaking in the future (Jazz Review, 2005).
Hostfalt celebrates two decades of performances/recordings of original microtonal music since the 2002 recording of 29 Pieces for The Microtonal Guitar Live at Knitting Factory New York, an album critically regarded a seminal work for microtonal music in the improvised idiom. Documented by a re-release of 29 Pieces, along with 'Transformations' featuring music commissioned for a 2014 solo concert at the XXXV Encontre Internacional Compositors, at Pilar i Joan Miro' Palma de Mallorca. As well as a 2018 duo recording with Italian avant-garde trumpet player Johnny Lapio, and the summative parameter of pitch compilation Microtonal Works Vol.1. All released on Hostfalt's own Sonus Rex label.
Sten Höstfält was introduced on the New York jazz scene through early 1990's Berklee College of Music facilitated apprenticeships in orchestras led by Herb Pomeroy and Phil Wilson. Via Performances and collaborations with mentors Jimmy Giuffre and Paul Bley, the latter initiatiating Hostfalt's debut record as a leader. And concerts with masters of Jazz Gary Burton, Peter Erskine, Clare Fischer, Rob McConnell, and Bobby Shew. As well as, as one of the 'brilliant soloists' (David R. Adler, All Music Guide, 1995) in 'one of the better continuing experiments in New York', (Peter Watrous, NY Times, 1995), the first edition of argentine composer Guillermo Klein's ensemble. In which he appeared with Mark Turner, Chris Cheek, Seamus Blake, Melvin Butler, Aaron Goldberg and Jeff Ballard weekly at the since influential Jazz Club, Smalls, during the inception of the venue, as well as at the early days of the Jazz Gallery, and at (Leonard Street-era) Knitting Factory, and on Klein's 'frenzied, passionate, interesting and finely executed' (Jazz Times 1997) album 'El Minotauro' for Candid records (UK), and on tour in Argentina.
Initially largely self-taught as a musician and composer, Luleå-born, Swedish-American Hostfalt's early musical experiences combined non-formal and formal formats through activity on the late 1970s-early 1980's Scandinavian Progressive/New Wave scene, in parallel with classical guitar studies. Hearing finger-style nine-string blues guitar legend Big Joe Williams solo live, and participating in a workshop with Jazz piano master Horace Parlan. As well as work as a street musician in Copenhagen and Paris was followed by a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, and membership of the legendary 'Recording Band' led by Herb Pomeroy.
A current music instructor at Columbia University's Teachers College, and at the New York City Department of Education, as well as a former Royal College of Music in Stockholm, City University of New York CUNY at Queensborough Community College* instructor. And lecturer at New World School of The Arts, Miami, FL, Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, and Colegio Ward, Buenos Aires Argentina. Mr. Hostfalt is a BCM outstanding musicianship award, NEC honors and TC scholarship recipient, with academic degrees in composition (MM), performance (GD), professional music (BM) and music education (EdM), from New England Conservatory, Berklee College of Music, and Columbia University respectively. In addition to holding an Advanced Post-Masters Certificate in Music Education from CUNY at Brooklyn College. *Disclaimer: Sten Hostfalt's DBA proprietorship Sonus Rex, and any work or products thereof, such as (Sten's) NYC Guitar Studio, are not affiliated with Queensborough Community College, or the City University of New York CUNY.
Since 2006, Sten Höstfält operates the music production label Sonus Rex, that incorporates his New York City music education studio, one of few facilities anywhere to offer customized systematic studies of microtonality and the parameter of pitch for the unmodified, standard six-string, twelve-fret guitar, as well as other instruments. As a four-decade veteran educator, teaching since 1977, he has coached students enrolled at, as well as had students admitted to leading music colleges worldwide.
Biography
Manifested in a four-decade innovative commitment to music, via exploration of the parameter of pitch, and self-invented instrumental techniques, contributing to the expansion of the vocabulary of the guitar, and to music of our time. Sten Höstfält (Hearst-felt) is a leading guitarist/composer working on the New York music scene of today. He performs with some of the most original, unique voices in modern music, and has been called highly exceptional by legendary icon of American Music Jimmy Giuffre, and virtuosic by musical innovator Joe Maneri (Jon Damian, Fresh Music, 2015). His music is described as among the most riveting explorations of the microtonal world ever recorded (Signal to Noise, 2005), taking you on a journey to a place where anything is possible (All About Jazz, 2004), and as genuinely innovative, predicted to be groundbreaking in the future (Jazz Review, 2005).
Hostfalt celebrates two decades of performances/recordings of original microtonal music since the 2002 recording of 29 Pieces for The Microtonal Guitar Live at Knitting Factory New York, an album critically regarded a seminal work for microtonal music in the improvised idiom. Documented by a re-release of 29 Pieces, along with 'Transformations' featuring music commissioned for a 2014 solo concert at the XXXV Encontre Internacional Compositors, at Pilar i Joan Miro' Palma de Mallorca. As well as a 2018 duo recording with Italian avant-garde trumpet player Johnny Lapio, and the summative parameter of pitch compilation Microtonal Works Vol.1. All released on Hostfalt's own Sonus Rex label.
Sten Höstfält was introduced on the New York jazz scene through early 1990's Berklee College of Music facilitated apprenticeships in orchestras led by Herb Pomeroy and Phil Wilson. Via Performances and collaborations with mentors Jimmy Giuffre and Paul Bley, the latter initiatiating Hostfalt's debut record as a leader. And concerts with masters of Jazz Gary Burton, Peter Erskine, Clare Fischer, Rob McConnell, and Bobby Shew. As well as, as one of the 'brilliant soloists' (David R. Adler, All Music Guide, 1995) in 'one of the better continuing experiments in New York', (Peter Watrous, NY Times, 1995), the first edition of argentine composer Guillermo Klein's ensemble. In which he appeared with Mark Turner, Chris Cheek, Seamus Blake, Melvin Butler, Aaron Goldberg and Jeff Ballard weekly at the since influential Jazz Club, Smalls, during the inception of the venue, as well as at the early days of the Jazz Gallery, and at (Leonard Street-era) Knitting Factory, and on Klein's 'frenzied, passionate, interesting and finely executed' (Jazz Times 1997) album 'El Minotauro' for Candid records (UK), and on tour in Argentina.
Initially largely self-taught as a musician and composer, Luleå-born, Swedish-American Hostfalt's early musical experiences combined non-formal and formal formats through activity on the late 1970s-early 1980's Scandinavian Progressive/New Wave scene, in parallel with classical guitar studies. Hearing finger-style nine-string blues guitar legend Big Joe Williams solo live, and participating in a workshop with Jazz piano master Horace Parlan. As well as work as a street musician in Copenhagen and Paris was followed by a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, and membership of the legendary 'Recording Band' led by Herb Pomeroy.
A current music instructor at Columbia University's Teachers College, and at the New York City Department of Education, as well as a former Royal College of Music in Stockholm, City University of New York CUNY at Queensborough Community College* instructor. And lecturer at New World School of The Arts, Miami, FL, Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, and Colegio Ward, Buenos Aires Argentina. Mr. Hostfalt is a BCM outstanding musicianship award, NEC honors and TC scholarship recipient, with academic degrees in composition (MM), performance (GD), professional music (BM) and music education (EdM), from New England Conservatory, Berklee College of Music, and Columbia University respectively. In addition to holding an Advanced Post-Masters Certificate in Music Education from CUNY at Brooklyn College. *Disclaimer: Sten Hostfalt's DBA proprietorship Sonus Rex, and any work or products thereof, such as (Sten's) NYC Guitar Studio, are not affiliated with Queensborough Community College, or the City University of New York CUNY.
Since 2006, Sten Höstfält operates the music production label Sonus Rex, that incorporates his New York City music education studio, one of few facilities anywhere to offer customized systematic studies of microtonality and the parameter of pitch for the unmodified, standard six-string, twelve-fret guitar, as well as other instruments. As a four-decade veteran educator, teaching since 1977, he has coached students enrolled at, as well as had students admitted to leading music colleges worldwide.
Photo by Jose' Luis Luna Rocafort
© All Rights Reserved 2014-2026.
XXXV Encontres de Compositors
Sten Hostfalt solo concert 2014,
Pilar i Joan Miro, Palma de Mallorca,
Islas Baleares, Spain
© All Rights Reserved 2014-2026.
XXXV Encontres de Compositors
Sten Hostfalt solo concert 2014,
Pilar i Joan Miro, Palma de Mallorca,
Islas Baleares, Spain