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
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).
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. Hostfalt celebrates two decades of performances and recordings of original microtonal music since the 2002 recording of 29 Pieces for The Microtonal Guitar Live at Knitting Factory, New York, critically regarded a seminal work for microtonal music in the improvised idiom. Documented by a 20th anniversary re-release, along with 'Transformations' featuring music commissioned for, and world premiered in a 2014 solo concert at the XXXV Encontre Internacional Compositors, at Pilar i Joan Miro' Palma de Mallorca. Along with the retrospective compilation Microtonal Works Vol.1, all on the Sonus Rex label.
Initially largely self-taught as a musician/composer before active involvement on the early 1980s Scandinavian DIY scene, and a workshop with jazz piano master Horace Parlan. Swedish-born American, Sten Höstfält was introduced on the New York City jazz scene through early 1990's apprenticeships in orchestras led by Herb Pomeroy and Phil Wilson. As well as via Performances and collaborations with mentors Jimmy Giuffre and Paul Bley (with the latter initiating 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 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 Smalls Jazz Club, during the inception of the venue. And at the then newly started Jazz Gallery, and at (Leonard St.) Knitting Factory. And on Klein's 'frenzied, passionate, interesting and finely executed' (Jazz Times 1997) CD 'El Minotauro' for Candid records (U.K.).
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 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 the City University of New York at Brooklyn College. *Disclaimer: Sten Hostfalt's DBA Sonus Rex, and/or any related endeavors such as (Sten's) NYC Guitar Studio, are not affiliated with Queensborough Community College, or the City University of New York.
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 near five decade veteran educator, teaching since 1977, he has coached or assisted students both enrolled at, as well as getting accepted to leading music colleges worldwide.
Biography
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).
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. Hostfalt celebrates two decades of performances and recordings of original microtonal music since the 2002 recording of 29 Pieces for The Microtonal Guitar Live at Knitting Factory, New York, critically regarded a seminal work for microtonal music in the improvised idiom. Documented by a 20th anniversary re-release, along with 'Transformations' featuring music commissioned for, and world premiered in a 2014 solo concert at the XXXV Encontre Internacional Compositors, at Pilar i Joan Miro' Palma de Mallorca. Along with the retrospective compilation Microtonal Works Vol.1, all on the Sonus Rex label.
Initially largely self-taught as a musician/composer before active involvement on the early 1980s Scandinavian DIY scene, and a workshop with jazz piano master Horace Parlan. Swedish-born American, Sten Höstfält was introduced on the New York City jazz scene through early 1990's apprenticeships in orchestras led by Herb Pomeroy and Phil Wilson. As well as via Performances and collaborations with mentors Jimmy Giuffre and Paul Bley (with the latter initiating 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 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 Smalls Jazz Club, during the inception of the venue. And at the then newly started Jazz Gallery, and at (Leonard St.) Knitting Factory. And on Klein's 'frenzied, passionate, interesting and finely executed' (Jazz Times 1997) CD 'El Minotauro' for Candid records (U.K.).
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 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 the City University of New York at Brooklyn College. *Disclaimer: Sten Hostfalt's DBA Sonus Rex, and/or any related endeavors such as (Sten's) NYC Guitar Studio, are not affiliated with Queensborough Community College, or the City University of New York.
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 near five decade veteran educator, teaching since 1977, he has coached or assisted students both enrolled at, as well as getting accepted 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