Johannes Wallmann, piano; Sharel Cassity, alto saxophone; Mitchell Shiner, vibraphone; John Christensen, bass; Hannah Johnson, drums & Special Guests Arun Luthra, tenor saxophone; and Russ Johnson, trumpet

$20 cover. But tickets here or cash at the door.

Award-winning pianist/composer and UW Jazz Professor Johannes Wallmann celebrates his 50th birthday with a performance by Precarious Towers, a Midwestern high-octane collaborative all-star band founded by Wallmann and featuring Downbeat ‘rising star’ alto saxophonist and flutist Sharel Cassity (Chicago), Madison bassist John Christensen, and Milwaukee vibraphonist Mitchell Shiner and drummer Hannah Johnson (filling in for Devin Drobka).

All are accomplished band leaders and recording artists, and their sophomore album Ten Stories, which Cadence Magazine's Larry Hollis named one of his 2023 Top Ten New Releases, features compositions by each of the quintet’s members. Moods range from fiery to introspective, but the common threads are joy and collaboration. Jazz In Europe calls Ten Stories, "a collective musical odyssey that unites five exceptionally talented musicians [...] a testament to the power of collaboration and creative synergy."

Joining this concert as special guests will be trumpeter Russ Johnson (recording artist and Director of Jazz Studies at UW-Parkside) and Arun Luthra (New York saxophonist and the newest addition to the UW jazz faculty).

• "the group dynamic is near perfection." — All About Jazz

• “This Midwestern five-piece is tight, following interesting ideas while never veering too far from a clear, straightahead sound. […] All five members are strong composers.”  — Downbeat Magazine

• "Lots of sparks flying in all the right directions." — Jazz Weekly