AES News

In 2010, Dr. Charles Limb infiltrated Baltimore’s Hip Hop scene for a study on the parallels between that free form art and “traditional” jazz. On Thursday, October 20th, Dr Limb will detail his findings with a Keynote address at the 131st AES Convention at NY’s Javits Center. Sound, Hearing and Music: A Journey From The Ears to The Brain, will explore the physical and intellectual intricacies of musical creativity; its inception and perception. 

In announcing the address, 131st Convention Chair Jim Anderson remarked, “Dr. Limb’s innovative research into the parallel fields of technology and musical creativity exemplifies the AES mission. His study of brain function in improvising musicians is sure to provide valuable insights.”

“At first glance, the free-form art of musical improvisation and the meticulous environment of the research lab seem to make strange bedfellows,” Dr. Limb remarked. “But through the application of rigorous scientific methods to the study of musicians, we have been able to get a glimpse of how this remarkable process of artistic creativity takes place in the brain.”

An Associate Professor in the Department of Otolaryngology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Dr. Limb is a hearing specialist and saxophonist.  His groundbreaking work on how the brain develops and assimilates musical creativity has been featured by NPR, PBS, National Geographic, Scientific American, the Smithsonian Institute, the New York Times, Library of Congress and the American Museum of Natural History.  A Faculty Member at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, Dr. Limb received his undergraduate degree at Harvard, his medical degree at Yale, and completed his surgical training at Johns Hopkins Hospital. His current research focuses on the neural basis of musical improvisation and the study of music perception in deaf individuals with cochlear implants.

“Expectations for the 131st AES Convention are particularly high this year,” reports committee chair Jim Anderson, “our team is making an extraordinary effort to create an unforgettable event.”  Scheduled for Oct. 20 – 23 at NY’S Jacob Javits Center, this year’s attendees will find a wealth of stimulating, challenging, entertaining and informative Workshops, Tutorials, Papers, Master Classes, Technical Tours and Special Events designed to hone their skills and recharge their batteries.

AES executive director Roger Furness reports that the stellar Committee is comprised of seasoned pros whose enthusiasm for the Convention is matched only by their professional accomplishments and peer recognition.  “Our chairman Jim Anderson is a particularly accomplished engineer, producer and educator.   His organizational acumen and leadership skills make him an indispensible asset. Many of our chairs have served for years and their knowledge of their fields is legendary. Broadcast & Streaming Events chair David Bialik is back for his 23rd consecutive Convention, which we believe is a record,” Furness says.  “We are honored to attract this level of talent each year, and our attendees reap huge benefits from their dedication to producing a first rate event.” 

The 131st AES Convention Committee is comprised of:  Chair Jim Anderson, Broadcast & Streaming Events Chair, David Bialik; Live Sound Co-Chairs Henry Cohen and Mac Kerr; Workshops/Tutorials Chair Natanya Ford; Education Chair John Krivit; Papers Co-Chairs Veronique Larcher and Agnieszka Roginska; Technical Tours Chair, Lou Manno; Games Track Chair, Steve Martz; Facilities Chair, Michael McCoy; EE Co-Chairs, Bob Moses and Jonathan Novick; Tech Tours/Volunteers Chair, Doron Schacter and Master Class Chair, Alan Silverman.

“Our Committee is constantly challenged with topping the previous year’s events, and the 131st Committee is clearly up to the task,” Jim Anderson concludes.  “Over the next few months we will announce a number of surprising innovations and high profile participants. The vigor, good humor we see evidenced at each of our Committee meetings convinces me that the 131st Convention will be one for the books.”