photo by Shawn Scallen
Jim O'Rourke first became known in his native Chicago in 1987, at 18, as the founding member of the ELVIS MESSIAHS. Initially a solo recording project, O'Rourke soon added musicians he'd met at DePaul University. The group attracted a strong following locally as well as media coverage nationwide. They also acted as an ensemble for New York composer Nicholas Collins during his concerts in Chicago.

While establishing himself as a performer, O'Rourke was finishing his studies in composition at DePaul. He developed an interest in electro-acoustic music; blending traditional instruments, musique concrete, electronics and extended mixing techniques into a cohesive whole. During his last year at the university, O'Rourke recorded the pieces that were to constitute his first two major solo releases, one of them being "Tamper", a C.D. collection of three pieces on the EXTREME label. His music has also been performed in Holland, Canada, England, Germany and throughout the U.S. He has participated in 1990's NEW MUSIC CHICAGO and the CINCINATTI COMPOSERS FORUM 1991.

Also in 1987, O'Rourke began exploring the prepared guitar, setting aside the standard guitar approach he'd known since age 6. His playing became known to improvisational guitarist DEREK BAILEY in 1988 when the two met in Chicago. In 1990, Bailey asked O'Rourke to perform at COMPANY WEEK. There he met and played with HENRY KAISER, LOUIS MOHOLO, HUGH DAVIES, as well as improvisers he'd worked with in the past, which included EDDIE PREVOST and KEITH ROWE of AMM, and EUGENE CHADBOURNE.

His meeting with Kaiser resulted in a regular duo, documented on their recent VICTO C.D., "Tomorrow Knows Where You Live". He also works in a long distance guitar duo with Japanese guitarist K. NULL, known for his work as ANP and ZENI GEVA. In 1989, DAN BURKE asked O'Rourke to join his band ILLUSION OF SAFETY, lending his writing and instrumental skills to recordings and performances.

O'Rourke also utilised his odd approach to guitar outside of improvised music. IN 1989, he met Englishman DAVID JACKMAN, best known for his recording project ORGANUM. Jackman saw a similar approach to sound in O'Rourke and asked O'Rourke to join him for the next ORGANUM album. Since then, O'Rourke has worked with Jackman on many ORGANUM projects both as performer and co-producer.

He is currently working on a commissioned score for THE KRONOS QUARTET, as well as a piece for the ROVA SAXOPHONE QUARTET. His latest recording projects are the solo prepared guitar C.D. "Remove the Need" on EXTREME and a new C.D. with HENRY KAISER.



Référence: http://www.xtr.com/extreme/orourke.htm