Anthony Di Sanza, Tom Curry & Mark Hetzler
Maggie DiSanza
In their new composition, Don’t Look Down, three avant-classical and electronic artists use a mix of musical techniques to reflect the changes technology has made on the world. Across 50 minutes and nine movements, the trio of jazz luminaries — Anthony Di Sanza, Tom Curry and Mark Hetzler — uses percussion, tuba, keyboard, trombone and electronics, as well as visual art, to create multi-faceted and richly textured music.
press release: On Thursday, October 3, 2019, at 8pm, Anthony Di Sanza (percussion), Tom Curry (tuba, keyboard and electronics), and Mark Hetzler (trombone and electronics) will perform their new composition Don't Look Down at Arts + Literature Laboratory.
Using a combination of electro-acoustic techniques, improvisation and traditional chamber music applications, this 50-minute, nine-movement work showcases an array of sonic environments, shifting soundscapes and diverse musical styles (classical, rock and experimental), all while exploring the impact of media and technology on society. The performance will include visual art created by Minnesota photographer Ryan Gilman.
Tickets are $10 in advance (https://dontlookdown.brownpapertickets.com) and $15 at the door. Student tickets $5 off with a valid school ID. Advance ticket sales end 1 hour before the show. Doors open at 7:30pm.
Tom Curry is the tuba and euphonium professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and tubist in the Wisconsin Brass Quintet. As a performer and composer, his interests include non-traditional performance techniques and settings, the application of electronics and fixed media, and free improvisation. He has commissioned, premiered and composed works for tuba in a wide variety of contexts and has been invited to perform at numerous conferences, festivals and universities. His first solo recording, Alight, features contemporary works for tuba and was released in 2018 through Summit Records.
Anthony DiSanza serves as professor of percussion at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and has performed and presented master classes throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Active in a variety of percussive styles, he can be heard on many internationally distributed CD recordings with various artists. Reviewing his solo CD release, On the nature of…, All Music Guide writes; “Di Sanza dazzles not only in the assurance and polish of his playing but in his tremendous vitality and spontaneity.” DiSanza’s percussion compositions have been performed internationally. He has signature products with Encore Mallets and Black Swamp Percussion, and is an endorser of Encore, Black Swamp, Sabian, Remo and Pro-Mark. Visit Tony’s website at: anthonydisanza.com
Mark Hetzler is the professor of trombone at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and trombonist in the Wisconsin Brass Quintet. He was a member of the Empire Brass Quintet for 16 years, and has performed with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra and the Boston Pops. Active in contemporary music, Mark has commissioned and premiered works by numerous American composers, and has appeared at a variety of new music conferences, including SEAMUS and the NYC Electroacoustic Music Festival. Mark is a Summit Records artist. Visit Mark’s website: www.markhetzler.com