Master Class Series

Free & Open to the Public

Master Class Series

Thomas A. Laskin Master Class Series

The Thomas A. Laskin Memorial

Jazz Master Class Series

The Thomas A. Laskin Memorial Master Class Series provides insights on this uniquely American form with some of the best musicians in the country. Past guests include Grammy-winner Eddie Gomez, Blue Note Recording Artist James Francies, plus dozens of industry pros.

Next Guest:

Precarious Towers

 


Wednesday, October 11

Precarious Towers

Precarious Towers, the Midwestern all-star quintet featuring Sharel Cassity, Johannes Wallmann, Mitchell Shiner, John Christensen and Devin Drobka, was conceived in 2020, early in the Covid shutdown, when the quintet’s otherwise highly in-demand players suddenly found their schedules emptied and were looking for a new project.

The creative synergy of those early performances immediately made everyone in the band want to play together more, and soon, Precarious Towers found itself in the studio, recording its eponymous first album (Shifting Paradigm, SP175), under Wallmann’s name as leader, featuring the pianist’s compositions.

The group that began as a brainchild of Johannes Wallmann, steps into new collective compositional territory on its second album Ten Stories, with each member contributing new works. Alto saxophonist/flutist Sharel Cassity hails from Chicago; vibraphonist Mitchell Shiner and drummer Devin Drobka are based in Milwaukee; and bassist John Christensen and pianist Johannes Wallmann are from Madison, WI.

 

Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Helen Bader Recital Hall
This event is free and open to the public.

 

 

2022-2023 Thomas A. Laskin Memorial Master Class Guests

2022-2023 Thomas A. Laskin Memorial Master Class Guests

November 2, 2022 | Ben Rosenblum Nebula Project
November 19, 2022 | Lynne Arriale
February 22, 2023 | Thaddeus Tukes

2021-2022 Thomas A. Laskin Memorial Master Class Guests

2021-2022 Thomas A. Laskin Memorial Master Class Guests

October 13, 2021 | James Francies
December 15, 2021 | Arun Luthra
March 9, 2022 | Huntertones
April 4, 2022 | Lynne Arriale

2020 Thomas A. Laskin Memorial Master Class Guests

2019 Thomas A. Laskin Memorial Master Class Guests

2019 Thomas A. Laskin Memorial Master Class Guests

March 13 | Manty Ellis, Brian Lynch & WCM Jazz Trio
April 27 | Manty Ellis & Concert All-Stars
October 2 | Christine Fawson, Trumpet player, Vocalist

2018 Thomas A. Laskin Memorial Master Class Guests

2018 Thomas A. Laskin Memorial Master Class Guests

Feb 7  |  Trumpeter Brian Lynch
Feb 28  |  Trumpeter Alex Norris
April 7  |  Drummer Carl Allen
April 25 | Eddie Gomez Trio
September 6 | Geoffrey Keezer
October 31 | Trumpeter Brian Lynch
December 5 | The Bad Plus
December 21 | Guitarist Peter Bernstein

2017 Thomas A. Laskin Memorial Master Class Guests

2017 Thomas A. Laskin Memorial Master Class Guests

Jan. 18  |  Drummer Carl Allen
Feb. 18  |  Guitarist Peter Bernstein
March 15  |  Trumpeter Brian Lynch
June 29  |  Saxophonist Greg Tardy
Sept. 30 | Pianist David Hazeltine
October 10 | Drummer Bill Stewart
October 25  |  Pianist Lynne Arriale


sam playing bass

For All Instruments

More FREE Master Classes

Students of all ages and skill levels can attend master classes for guitar, strings, vocal arts, and all disciplines. Expand your knowledge with Conservatory teachers and industry leaders at these free events.

Stay tuned as more free master classes are announced!