Jason Levine

Jason Levine is a musician, performer, and computational poet who collaborated with Professor Eran Egozy. His residency focused on the interactive and generative qualities of coding to create real-time software systems for live performance. In April 2018, Levine visited classes, gave a public lecture, and led a workshop where he discussed his livecoding performing practice, and more generally how algorithms can be appropriated to create music and art. Workshop participants learned how to use the Extempore livecoding language to synthesize sounds and create rhythmic patterns, and were encouraged to experiment with using code in an improvisational or artisanal mode in contrast to the traditional problem solving mentality associated with coding.

This artist residency was supported by the Alan W. Katzenstein (1942) Memorial Fund. 

Past Events

Public Lecture: Combining Livecoding and Real-time Software for Musical Improvisation
April 10, 2018 / 6:00-8:00pm
MIT Museum, Building N51
265 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA
Jason Levine, musician, performer, and computational artist will discuss his path through computer science and music technology to build his vibrant career and artistic practice. The talk will explore Levine’s ongoing quest to find the most expressive fusion of music and technology along with the obstacles and dilemmas he has encountered along the way. The evening will include the premiere of Levine’s latest performance: Dimensions of Sound and a discussion with Levine and MIT Professor Eran Egozy, co-founder of Harmonix, followed by a Q&A session with the audience.

Workshop: Livecoding Sinusoidal Traversals through Sound Sorted in Space
April 12, 2018 / 6:00-9:00pm
MIT Museum, Building N51
265 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA

Join Jason Levine, computational artist and musician, in an exploration of live coded music. Learn about Levine’s process and create your own improvised algorithmic composition during this special, one-time workshop.

Students will learn how to use the Extempore live coding language to synthesize sounds and create rhythmic and melodic patterns, and will be encouraged to experiment with using code in an improvisational or artisanal mode in contrast to the traditional problem-solving mentality associated with coding.

Attendees must have prior coding experience and will need to bring their own headphones. Participants who are not able to bring a laptop computer can use one on loan, with advance notice provided. Includes dinner. Limited to 20 participants. Pre-registration required. For 18+ years. $10/person.

Eran Egozy, Professor of the Practice in Music Technology, MIT and co-founder of Harmonix Music Systems

Nick Montfort, Professor of Digital Media, Comparative Media Studies / Writing, MIT and Director, The Trope Tank

Jason Levine is an audiovisual artist and performer whose primary medium is code. He is inspired by the expressivity of code, and focuses on creating work which is realtime, generative and interactive. He recently completed a commission for TheWaveVR where networked VR users work together to rearrange the music of the performance.  He has created audio reactive concert visuals for many musicians, notably Ms. Lauryn Hill. He has contributed to the award winning music video game Fantasia: Music Evolved, directed music videos and contributed to installations ranging from Twitter headquarters to the Museum of The City of New York, to a bass-heavy rave for the deaf. He performs regularly as part of the improvisational electronic music duo Scorpion Mouse.  You can follow Jason at @livecodez on Instagram.

“Sound engineer Jason Levine—or “Adobe Jesus” to his acolytes—is among Adobe’s elite software trainers, with an actual job title of ‘principal worldwide evangelist.’”

— Quartz