Craig Abaya
| Craig Abaya | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Craig Abaya |
| Born | San Francisco, California |
| Genres | Alternative rock, rock and roll, pop, grunge, heavy metal, Americana |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, music producer, recording engineer, filmmaker, photographer, web designer |
| Labels | ARTifice Music |
| Associated acts | |
| Website | abaya |
Craig Abaya is an artist from San Francisco, California. He is a musician, songwriter, producer, video director, photographer, and web designer.[1] He served as director of San Francisco State University's Extended Learning Multimedia Studies and Music/Recording Industry programs, as well as running the school's Digital Video Intensive. He has won ten Billboard songwriting awards.[2]
Early life
Abaya is a native of San Francisco's Bernal Heights neighborhood.[2] Abaya became involved with music during childhood, taking up the piano at age six, the drums at age eleven, and the guitar at age twelve. He became involved in film and photography at the age of nine.[2]
At seventeen, Abaya enrolled at San Francisco State University. Initially a psychology major, he ultimately proposed a special major in multimedia, combining studies in film, video, computers and electronics.[3]
Educator
Abaya earned his first teaching experience at SFSU's Graduate Film school while he was still an undergraduate,[3] but eventually took a full-time position teaching in Silicon Valley.[4] Eventually, he moved to SFSU College of Extended Learning where he directed the Multimedia Studies Program, Music/Recording Industry Program, Digital Video Intensive, and Web Design Intensive.[5]
Filmmaking
In 2002, Apple Computer approached Abaya with an opportunity to make a feature film with his student crew. With a team of students and sponsors, he directed "Bruce Hornsby Live at Villa Montalvo" for DIRECTV.[6]
In 2003, Abaya served as concert shoot director for the feature, Joan Armatrading, All the Way from America.
In 2006, Abaya became the producer/director of the Stern Grove Festival web series of videos including live performances, artist talks, and interviews.
In 2008, after having served as their live concert photographer for many years, Abaya became the resident filmmaker and concert photographer at the Bridge School. The school, which is for children with severe speech and physical impairments, was founded by Neil Young and Pegi Young.[3]
Music career
During his teens, Abaya formed his first professional band, the grunge/metal trio "Apparition." After disbanding "Apparition," Abaya acquired his own recording equipment and founded the 4-piece group "The Basics" and later, "Abaya," in an attempt to merge his two divergent musical endeavors.
In 2009, Abaya released his first solo album, The Fine Art of Politics. Abaya also directed and edited his first music video of the song "Silly Sentimental Fool" for release in 2010.
In 2014, he composed and played guitars and bass on the DJ Qbert album "Extraterrestria." In 2015 Craig began work on his 2nd solo album along with a duet album with JoAnne Lorenzana.
Abaya is a Grammy voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers as well as the Producers Guild of America.
References
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