Dr. Hans Sturm’s faculty recital will feature UNL faculty jazz pianist and composer, Tom Larson. They will perform the music of Dr. Joan Wildman, Professor Emeritus of Jazz Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Originally from a ranch outside of Spalding, Nebraska, an hour north of Grand Island, Dr. Wildman received her doctorate from the University of Oregon and taught at the University of Maine and Central Michigan before arriving as the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Wisconsin in 1977. She has led her own trio since the early 1970’s and highlights of her career include several recordings as a leader and concerts performing with avant garde composer and multi-instrumentalist Roscoe Mitchell, with vocal legend Mel Tormé with symphony orchestras, and subbing for an ailing Duke Ellington during one of his final tours.

Hans Sturm performed regularly as a member of the Joan Wildman Trio from 1982 until 2005. Challenging, stimulating, and humorous, the music of Joan Wildman combines influences across the spectrum of jazz in diverse and fascinating ways; elements of stride piano can be heard along side angular Monkish lines and free contrapuntal improvisations are juxtaposed with unison melodies reminiscent of Gregorian Chant. The majority of music performed by the Sturm-Larson Duo originates from one of Wildman’s most prolific periods in the early to mid 1980’s.