United Kingdom 
Penny Ford of Snap! inducted into Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame
4 years ago
Dame Evelyn Glennie has shattered perceptions of listening, evolving from a virtuoso percussionist to a global advocate for sound and an inspirational speaker for diverse audiences.
Released twelve solo albums on the RCA/BMG label.
Co-wrote and recorded several songs, including the hit single "My Spine", and collaborated on her album "Telegram" and the song "Oxygen".
Produced Evelyn's 2000 solo album "Shadow Behind the Iron Sun", which comprised studio improvisations.
Composed original music for a series of Mazda Cars TV commercials in the mid-1990s.
Composed music for the first series of Lynda La Plante's crime drama "Trial & Retribution", earning a BAFTA nomination.
Contributed drama scores, including two four-hour versions of "Bramwell".
Contributed drama scores, including for "Blind Ambition".
Composed music for the 4-part documentary series "The Age of Terror", transmitted on the Discovery Channel.
Composed the title music for two series of the BBC's "Soundbites", which she also presented.
Scored her first feature film, 'The Trench', a First World War drama written and directed by William Boyd (1999).
Collaborated with filmmaker Thomas Riedelsheimer on his film "Touch the Sound", exploring the phenomenon of sound.
Co-wrote music for the film "Touch the Sound" with renowned guitarist Fred Frith.
Released the soundtrack for "Touch the Sound" on Normal Records.
Created a number of tracks for the library music company Audio Network PLC. Also released the album 'Experimental Percussion' (2009) and 'Double Crossings' (2018).
Appointed as the new President and Ambassador for the music charity Help Musicians.
Collaborated with choreographer Joss Arnott to mark her 50th and his company's 5th birthday celebrations.
Collaborated with Underworld and Danny Boyle on the soundtrack to the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games, performing live in the stadium.
Worked with Gregory Doran and the Royal Shakespeare Company, composing music for a production of 'Troilus and Cressida' (2018).
Began a collaboration with experimental jazz musicians Trio HLK, touring and appearing on their debut album 'Standard Time' (2018).
Collaborated with the music charity Sound World, composing "The Grace of Silence" for their Coronavirus Fund for Freelance Musicians (2020), released on the album 'Reflections' (2021).
Composed some of the music for the film 'Sound of Metal' directed by Darius Marder.
Her works are published by Faber Music.
Is an Ambassador of Sistema Scotland, a music education program.
Appointed Music Rights Champion by the International Music Council in October 2016.
Born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, in 1965, Evelyn Glennie developed a profound connection to music from an early age, starting with piano and clarinet. Despite beginning to lose her hearing at the age of eight, her passion for percussion blossomed under the guidance of her school teacher, Ron Forbes. Forbes taught Glennie to interpret sound through physical vibrations, a method that defied conventional understanding of hearing. This pivotal development allowed her to continue her musical education, leading to her admission to the Royal Academy of Music in London, a significant achievement that challenged established norms for musicians with sensory impairments. She consistently advocates for a broader understanding of listening, emphasizing its sensory and holistic nature.
Evelyn Glennie established herself as the world’s first full-time solo percussionist, performing globally with major orchestras and releasing over 30 solo albums, including the critically acclaimed “Shadow Behind the Iron Sun” (2000). Her career is marked by collaborations across various genres and art forms, working with artists such as Icelandic singer Björk, electronic music duo Underworld, and the Royal Shakespeare Company. Beyond her performing career, Glennie is a prolific composer for film and television, with credits including a BAFTA nomination for “Trial & Retribution” and music for the film “Touch the Sound.” She also actively engages in educational initiatives, masterclasses, and motivational speaking, sharing her unique approach to sound and listening with a wide audience. Her advocacy extends to commissioning over 200 new works for solo percussion, thereby expanding the repertoire for her instrument.
Her dedication to music and redefining what it means to listen has earned her numerous accolades, including becoming a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2007 and being appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour in 2017. She is a double GRAMMY award winner and a BAFTA nominee. In 2015, she was awarded the Polar Music Prize, and in 2023, the Léonie Sonning Music Prize, two of the most prestigious awards in music. Additionally, in 2021, she was named Chancellor of Robert Gordon University, further highlighting her influence in education and the arts. Glennie’s extensive collection of over 3,500 percussion instruments from around the world reflects her commitment to exploring and expanding the boundaries of sound.
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