Wilder Deitz's American Canon

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Bruce Kasprzyk

Wilder Deitz at the piano.

Wilder Deitz

 Madison musician and educator Wilder Deitz has been playing a variety of instruments and composing in a variety of genres from an early age. For “American Canon,” Deitz will pull together seemingly disparate musical threads and examine their connections in a series of performances-lectures. Deitz will be joined by bassist John Minnich, saxophonist Nathan France, and guests.

media release: Wilder Deitz’s American Canon: Lectures and Performance in Creative Music

Wednesdays from 7pm to 9pm – beginning 4/1/2026 – 8 week series 

Wilder Deitz, piano, vocals, and stringed instruments

Nate France, tenor saxophone and woodwinds

Upright bass with assorted guest musicians

Cost: Each concert $15 at the door ($10 for students at the Wilder Deitz School for Creative Music)

A serious musician since touring with his dad at 12 years of age, Wilder Deitz has lived many musical lives: a folk musician, classical composer, jazz improviser, and more. In this unprecedented residency on his native east side, Wilder will charge straight into the common lineage that bind these diverse musics into one “American Canon.”

Through daring lectures and style-spanning performance, Wilder and his trio will illustrate to music-makers and music-lovers alike the deep themes and techniques of American music. Each show will feature an opening performance from a guest artist, a short lecture (with room for audience engagement), and a set from Deitz, saxophonist Nathan France, and bassist John Minnich.

Each evening promises a unique, powerful, and engagement performance. Come for beautiful music andstimulating ideas across the whole series.The audience is invited to bring a notebook, if desired, for the lecture portion of the concert.