Gabriel Abedi is a San Francisco–based Afro-Cinematic Composer, Producer, Performer, and Artist whose work brings together African musical thought, West African rhythm, intimate instrumental textures, and contemporary production.
Born in Italy to Ghanaian parents, Gabriel began his musical journey on the trombone before turning to composition and arranging as a teenager. He studied composition at the Conservatorio F. A. Bonporti in Italy, where his work received recognition through several international composition competitions.
After completing his Bachelor of Music in Composition in 2022, Gabriel spent over a year in Ghana immersing himself in traditional music, rhythm, and ceremonial practices. This experience became a defining moment in his artistic development, deepening his interest in African approaches to time, repetition, form, collective memory, and musical interaction.
His work combines piano, strings, voice, West African percussion, and electronics to create music that moves between rhythmic intensity, cinematic textures, and intimate moments of stillness. His compositions have been commissioned and performed by institutions including Ensemble Modern, the Ghana National Symphony Orchestra, and Àkójọpọ̀ Music Foundation.
Gabriel is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Technology and Applied Composition at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. As a composer, producer, and performer, he is expanding his work into immersive live shows that bring together his recorded music, live musicians, West African percussion, and electronics.
His debut EP, A Thousand Journeys Before Me, marks the beginning of this larger artistic vision—bringing his music from the recording into the live space.
AWARDS
2019: First and third Prize at the 6th edition of “Città di Albenga International Composition Competition”;
2020: First Prize at the “The Diversity Initiative's Call for Scores” – Brass Trio category;
2021: First Prize at the “Celebrate Diversity in String Music Call for Scores” – Violin and Piano category;
2021: First Prize at the "2021 Carlos Guastavino International Composition Competition";
2022: First Prize at the 1st edition of "Grazia Deledda International Composition Competition”.
COMMISSIONS
2023: ”Seperewa Kasa” commissioned by Ensemble Modern (Germany) for the Oluzayo Festival;
2023: “Ŋusẽ “ commissioned by Àkójọpọ̀ Music Foundation (USA/Nigeria) for the African Art Music Commissioning Project;
2023: “Kpanlogo Tales” commissioned by the Ghana National Symphony Orchestra for “A night of Classical & African Art Music at the National Theatre of Ghana”L