Robert ÆOLUS Myers is a composer/arranger, multi-instrumentalist, and producer currently residing in Portland, Maine. He is a mental health provider–a psychotherapist in private practice.
Mr. Myers, as a long term resident of Honolulu, Hawaii, was a cornerstone member of an avant-garde performance arts scene that has thrived in Hawaii. His performances outside of those premiering his solo works were cast with musicians and dancers presenting contemporary and experimental theatre. He performed with the late Earnest Morgan, was music director for Valerie Bergman Dance Company, collaborated with Cheryl Flaharty of Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre, and wrote for and produced with Charlottémarie the vocalist extraordinaire. He staged productions with Nelson Hiu and Kit Ebersbach and toured with Bob Kindler. He has performed throughout the Hawaiian chain, over the west coast, in New York City and Spain.
Mr. Myers as a classically trained bassoonist has performed with many ensembles and orchestras in Hawaii including the Honolulu Symphony, the Hawaii Philharmonic Orchestra, the Maui Symphony, and the Royal Hawaiian Band. He was for many years a professional dance accompanist working with modern dance instructors, at dance retreats and festivals, and on faculty at the University of Hawaii from which he received his undergraduate degree in Ethnomusicology. He is principally known, however, for his work with flute, synthesizer, and percussion creating compelling and provocative soundscapes utilizing ethnic, tribal, and western classical forms.
Mr. Myers was one of the original recording artists for Global Pacific Records and released two albums for them—AEOLIAN MELODIES and RAYS. He has released THE MAGICIAN and HIGH PRIESTESS as independent projects. He has performed as guest artist on multiple albums including those by Gerardo Maza, Paul Greaver, Bob Kindler, and Nelson Hiu and his music has been featured in dozens of video projects. He has been awarded several Meet the Composer Grants, performed at the Universal Expo in Seville, Spain, and been a featured artist in the New Music Across America concert series.
Mr. Myers has participated in devotional music for over 40 years. He has played harmonium and sung the Cosmic Chants of Yogananda for Self Realization services, drummed for Sufi Dhikrs, played flute and percussion for the Mevlevi Turn, and was a long time inner circle musician for the Dances of Universal Peace as led by Yakzan Hugo Valdez. Most recently Robert has been playing in support of kirtan wallahs and plays percussion in a Portland, Maine based acoustic roots band, the Woodshed Mystics.
Mr. Myers, for many years a spiritual savant and student of Sufism, gained a graduate degree in counseling psychology with an emphasis in depth psychology from the Pacifica Graduate Institute of California. Here his work in the mystic traditions found continuity in the alchemical tradition of Jung. His own listening stance as a therapist is mythopoetic drawing from the reflections of Hillman, Grof, and Kohut. Mr. Myers is an initiate of Sheikh Yakzan Hugo Valdez, who is a student of Pir Vilayat Inayat Khan of the Sufi Order in the West, of Murshid Samuel L. Lewis of Sufi Islamia Ruhaniat Society, and Suleyman Hayati Dede, Sheikh of Konya of the Mevlevi Order.
