Madison, WI 53704
USA
Curated by baritone saxophonist Anders Svanoe, this monthly series continues with the duo of trumpeter Russ Johnson and drummer Devin Drobka.
Trumpeter Russ Johnson, a recent Midwest transplant who directs the Jazz Studies program at UW-Parkside, spent 23 years as an important member of New York City’s jazz community. He has seven recordings as a leader or co-leader and performed on more than 75 recordings as a sideman. Russ has worked alongside many of the legendary figures in jazz including Lee Konitz, Steve Swallow, Bill Frisell, and Joe Lovano. In addition, he has recorded and/or performed with a long list of the most prominent musicians currently on the international jazz scene, including Myra Melford, Ken Vandermark, and Tony Malaby. Russ has performed in more than 40 countries across the globe. His groups have recently performed at the Chicago, Winter Jazz Fest (NYC) Hyde Park, (Chicago) and Bergamo, (Italy) jazz festivals. His most recent recordings, Meeting Point (Relay Recordings) and Still Out To Lunch! (Enja Records) received 4 1/2 & 4 stars respectively from Down Beat Magazine and appeared on many “Best Recordings of 2014/5” lists.
The versatile Milwaukee-based percussionist, composer and educaor Devin Drobka has been playing drums for the past 20 years. Devin is currently one of the most in demand performers and educators in the Midwest. He received his BMA in Jazz Drumming Performance from Berklee College of Music in 09′ where he had the chance to study with Terri Lynn Carrington, Bob Tamigni, Skip Hadden, Jamey Haddad, Kenwood Dennard, Jon Hazilla, Ralph Peterson Jr, Ian Froman, and the master drummer Bob Moses. Currently Devin teaches at the West End Conservatory, Lake Country Conservatory and at his house. Devin is also teaching drumset and helping coach the combos at UW-Whitewater. You can catch Devin performing with his group Bell Dance Songs, Lesser Lakes Trio, Johannes Wallamann Group, Paul Silbergliet Trio, Dim Lighting, Argopelter, Lady Cannon, John Christensen’s Atlas Project, and Soft Alarm.
