On Mar. 7, CodaFest proudly presents the third show of the night – Cooper-Gullion-Drobka-Urness-
The quintet features Tom Gullion, sax and flute, Dave Cooper, trumpet and flugelhorn, Devin Drobka, percussion, Mark Urness, bass and Doug White, piano and synthesizer. Together they blend free improv, original compositions and modern jazz classics in playful, dynamic conversation. Lively Latin, swing and fusion rhythms meet rich melodic and harmonic textures in jubilant and pensive songs. This performance will feature: compositions by band members Gullion, White, Cooper, and Urness.
Doug White performs, composes, arranges, and leads bands in the Madison area. His music career includes international touring, leading a long-standing jazz fusion band featuring drummer Clyde Stubblefield, many years of solo jazz piano gigs, and composing and arranging.
Saxophonist Tom Gullion brings a deep, soulful performance style, a sophisticated avant-garde sensibility, and a quicksilver technique. His varied career has included periods of intense performance and also of introspective creativity. Says Gullion, “I’ve found my path is to bring music to the people.” Tom has released several critically acclaimed CDs including Carswell and Time It Is, among others.
David Cooper is a versatile jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger and educator. His quartet Drift released their first CD in 2020. His performing affiliations also include the Tim Whalen Nonet, many local jazz bands, Madison Symphony Orchestra, the Isthmus Brass, The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. He has performed in Beijing, Foshan, Macau, New York, Munich, Vienna, Stockholm, and is a very active soloist/clinician with regional schools, jazz festivals and community ensembles. He is the host and author of the educational blog www.AllThingsTrumpet.com.
Mark Urness is a versatile bassist, composer, and educator. His diverse performance experience encompasses orchestral, chamber, solo, and jazz playing. He was awarded first prize in the International Society of Bassists Jazz Competition. His unaccompanied jazz CD, Foreground, was released in 2009. Bass World magazine described his playing as “completely in command of the instrument and the tunes, rife with good ideas, melodic instinct, and groove, not to mention killer intonation on the double stops and chords.” Recent performances include chamber music broadcasts on Wisconsin Public Radio, and jazz performances with Bill Carrothers, Danilo Perez, Peter Erskine, and Joe Locke. Mark is associate professor of music studies at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI.
Devin Drobka is one of the most in-demand and creative musicians in the midwest for the past 15 years. Audiences around the world have been enthralled with his wide sonic palette and limitless rhythmic possibilities on the drums. A deep love of jazz, metal, folk, hip-hop, ambient, idm, and classical music has helped shaped Devin’s unique voice and vision on the drums both as a leader and as a sideman. His highly personal and creative drumming can be heard within the realm of jazz having performed with Greg Osby, Jerry Bergonzi, Dayna Stephens, and Joe Lovano as well as indie- folk bands like Field Report and indie rappers R.A.P. Ferreira and Serengeti. Devin can be heard on over 50 albums of genre bending, original music for which he is an advocate for. Devin currently composes music for his newest group, The Devin Drobka Trio, which draws upon his love of contemporary classical music and minimalism and his multi horn group, Bell Dance Songs, which is a response to his love of Albert Ayler, Paul Motian, and Ornette Coleman. Devin’s music has been described as “sounding like nothing else in midwestern jazz” and “gorgerous, innovative.”
Ticket: $25 (one show) or $60 for all shows tonight (will get a wristband)!
Production: Cafe CODA
*Do I need to print my ticket?
No, but will help. Due to different systems, some people might not get the second email of tickets with QR codes. But your order confirmation email is sufficient
*You can either print your email receipts or simply show them on your phone upon arrival.
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