Free & Open to the Public
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
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
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
February 10, 2021 | Joe Locke, Vibraphone
January 6, 2021 | Katie Ernst, Bass and Voice
December 9 | Lenard Simpson, Saxophone
November 11 | Wayne Wallace, Trombone
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
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
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
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!