Mimi Rabson has distinguished herself as one of Boston's most creative and versatile musicians. She is a first-prize winner of the Massachusetts Cultural Council Fellowship in composition. Her compositions and arrangements are published by StringLetter Press (distributed by Hal Leonard). Her published works include arrangements of music by Duke Ellington, James Brown and Cole Porter as well as her originals. Her music and her articles frequent the pages of Strings Magazine. Her newest book for Hal Leonard/Berklee Press, Arranging for Strings was released in 2018. She co-wrote The Berklee Practice Method for violin and viola with Matt Glaser.
Ms. Rabson is spearheading the creation of a new string ensemble model for high school students that incorporates learning music by ear and instruction in improvisation, arranging and composition. It is called BREO - Berklee's Really Eclectic Orchestra. For more, check out Berklee.edu/BREO.
Ms. Rabson is the leader of the Strings Theory Trio - an ensemble that explores the fine lines between compositions and improvisation. STT has performed in numerous venues around the Boston area and has released a self-titled recording.
Ms. Rabson co-leads Triarky - a power trio redefined for electric violin, electric tuba and drums. Triarky plays originals written by Ms. Rabson and tubist, David Harris. They are joined by drummer, Phil Neighbors. Their influences include Hendrix, Henry Threadgill, The Skatalites, Fela Kuti, James Brown and Henry Rollins.
Ms. Rabson commissioned 6 fellow Berklee faculty members to compose new works for solo violin. Those works range in style from rock to hip hop and include contemporary practices like improvisation, interaction with computer and effects pedals. One of the pieces, “Rock Ethic” by Norm Zocher with a cadenza by Ms. Rabson, appeared on a recording by Elmira Darvarova (former Concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Company) called “Soul Strings.”
Ms. Rabson is the newest composer/member of the Jazz Composers Alliance, a big band dedicated to the creation of new works.
She used her electric violin in a power trio setting with electric bass and drums to record "Music", featuring noise-rock, post-jazz and electro-acoustic compositions and improvisations.
Ms. Rabson created RESQ - the Really Eclectic String Quartet that plays her compositions and arrangements of jazz, funk, fusion, gospel and Latin music. That group produced two recordings.
Ms. Rabson was a founding member of the Klezmer Conservatory Band and worked with that organization for many years touring, recording, composing and acting as musical director.Ms. Rabson appeared with Itzhak Perlman on the recording called “In the Fiddler’s House” and on “The Late Show with David Letterman". She was featured in a documentary about Klezmer music called "A Jumpin' Night in the Garden of Eden". Ms. Rabson served as musical director to academy award winner, Joel Grey in his production of “Borschtcapades ‘94”. Her composition "Klezzified" was featured on Saturday Night Live.
Ms. Rabson's other performance credits include the premiere of “Fresh Faust” by Leroy Jenkins, soundtrack for “Sensorium”- the award winning film by Karen Aqua, with Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, Stevie Wonder, Meatloaf, Kristin Chenoweth, the Boston Gay Men's Choir, the Boston Camarata, the New England Ragtime Ensemble, the Klezmatics, Deborah Henson-Conant, the Pablo Ablanedo Octet, and XLCR. She has appeared on A Prairie Home Companion twice, at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Wolf Trap, the Mann Center, the Place des Arts in Montreal and other world class venues.
Ms. Rabson is a sought after clinician. She has presented at The Mark O’Connor Fiddle Camp, ASTA, and numerous schools and colleges.
Ms. Rabson is a Professor at the Berklee College of Music and has received several Berklee grants to support her creative endeavors. She is a Yamaha String Educator.