Aaberg named new 'Treasured' Montana Artist

Press release

HELENA - Secretary of State Linda McCulloch announced Thursday pianist Philip Aaberg of Chester is the next "Treasured" Montana Artist.

McCulloch selected Aaberg from a competitive field of candidates for his ability to bring the landscape of the West to a global music audience.

  "Phil Aaberg epitomizes what it means to be a treasured Montana artist," said Secretary McCulloch. "Through his music, Phil brings Montana life, culture and traditions to the world."

Aaberg is a classically trained pianist but celebrates many musical traditions by weaving strains of blues, bluegrass and rock into his music. He has performed with the Boston Pops and the Marlboro Chamber Music Festival. Aaberg has played with Peter Gabriel, Elvin Bishop, and the Doobie Brothers. He has had eight solo albums produced. One of his albums, "Live from Montana," was nominated for a Grammy in 2002. Aaberg has also earned two Emmy nominations for his performance on PBS's "All-American Jazz" and his soundtrack for "Class C: The Only Game in Town."

  "As a composer, I am inspired by our landscapes, from the Smith River Canyon to the Makoshika badlands, from our Big Sky to our shortgrass prairie," Aaberg said. "But the idea of my next CD, called the "Big Open," contains our history and our culture, and they are a deep and un-ending well of inspiration for me: The mixed heritage culture of the Metis, the powwow songs of the tribes, the African-American jazz musicians of the Ozark Club and Silver City Club, the high school bands and choruses, the classical tradition of our university system, the garage bands from little towns, the folksongs of the cowboys and the Butte miners. I am forever grateful for these and all the artistic treasures, historical and contemporary, of the Treasure State."  

Secretary McCulloch's "Treasured" Artist distinction culminates with a performance in the Rotunda of Montana's State Capitol on Wednesday, June 15, 2016 at 1:00 pm. The performance is open to the public. Significant mementos documenting Aaberg's career in music will be hung in the Office of the Secretary of State through August.

Past and present "Treasured" Montana Artist exhibits are featured in an online gallery at sos.mt.gov/Gallery.  Additional works can be heard on Aaberg's website at http://sweetgrassmusic.com.

Montana artists can submit their artwork or a link to their website for consideration for "Treasured" Montana Artist selection. 

Contact Katrina Schweitzer at [email protected] for more information.