Arun Luthra, UW–Madison fall 2021 interdisciplinary artist-in-residence will be participating in many events this fall as part of his residency presented by the Division of the Arts and hosted by the Mead WItter School of Music with Johannes Wallmann as lead faculty.
Saxophonist, composer and konnakol artist Arun Luthra is an American musician of Indian heritage who fuses Black American Music with elements of Indian classical music, especially konnakol – Carnatic (South Indian classical) music vocalized rhythms. He connects a wide range of modern and classic musical influences to create a vibrant new sound and style.
As part of the residency, Luthra is teaching “The Universal Language of Rhythm: Explorations Through Konnakol and Black American Music,” a 3-credit course. This course is an introduction to konnakol – the Carnatic (South Indian classical music art form of vocalizing rhythms, as well as an exploration of the blending of konnakol with other musical traditions – particularly Black American music, and a survey of the concept of rhythm as a universal phenomenon which defines our world. Students will present works that incorporate konnakol concepts into creative projects ranging from music to poetry, prose, dance, and beyond for the final event on Dec. 7. Watch this short video for more information about the course and residency along with viewing the residency website at go.wisc.edu/luthra.
Events | iart.wisc.edu/events
There are multiple residency and partner events during the rest of the year. All events take place in Madison, Wisconsin. All attendees for in-person events will need to follow UW–Madison’s COVID-19 related guidelines. Events are subject to change.
Sat., Oct. 16 | noon-1 p.m.
“Grace Presents” music series
Grace Episcopal Church | 116 W. Washington Ave.
Free
Johannes Wallman Quintet is performing a concert as part of Grace Episcopal Church “Grace Presents” music series. Arun Luthra will also join the performance.
Fri., Oct. 22 | 8 p.m.
Arun Luthra’s Konnakol Jazz Project featuring UW–Madison’s music faculty
Collins Recital Hall, Hamel Music Center | 740 University Ave.
Livestream option available
Free concert
Arun Luthra will be joined by UW–Madison Mead Witter School of Music faculty as part of the annual Conference on South Asia. Luthra will perform konnakol – the Carnatic (South Indian classical music) discipline of vocalizing rhythms. He will be joined by musicians Matt Endres (drum set), Todd Hammes (percussion), Nick Moran (bass) and Johannes Wallmann (piano and lead faculty for the residency). This event is presented by the Center for South Asia.
The concert portion is free to attend either in person or via the livestream. This concert will also be uploaded to Mead Witter School of Music’s YouTube channel. There is a fee to attend the online conference ($120-260) and conference participants will have their own link.
Sun., Oct. 24 | 4 p.m.
SoundWaves: The Art of Science of Cities: Specimen: New York
Wisconsin Discovery Building | 330 N. Orchard St.
Free, though registration is required.
This SoundWaves looks into what makes NYC tick. How does the city sustain itself? What happens to New York as the climate changes? What’s the best way to get around town? How does the city address its many problems? And what is it like to be a musician in the cultural capital of the U.S.?
The panel of researchers explores and explains the city that never sleeps. SoundWaves will also include a performance by Arun Luthra (konnakol and saxophone) John Christensen (bass), Matt Endres (drum set) and Johannes Wallmann (piano). Panelists include: Hussain Bahia, Civil and Environmental Engineering; Joel Rogers, Law, Political Science, Public Affairs and Sociology, COWS; Robbie Webber, State Smart Transportation Initiative: Michael Notaro, Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies; Daniel Grabois, Mead Witter School of Music, SoundWaves Curator; and Arun Luthra, Interdisciplinary Artist-in-Residence. Event presented by SoundWaves and the Wisconsin Science Festival.
Fri., Oct. 29 | 5 p.m.
Friday Jazz Series at Tandem Press
1743 Commercial Avenue
Livestream option available
Free
UW–Madison Contemporary Jazz Ensemble, directed by Arun Luthra, and Jazz Standards Ensemble, directed by Peter Dominguez, will perform as part of Tandem Press’ Friday Jazz series during the fall and spring semesters. The video will also be posted to Tandem Press’ YouTube channel.
Mon., Nov. 1 | 7:30 p.m.
Jazz Composers Group & Contemporary Jazz Ensemble
Collins Recital Hall, Hamel Music Center | 740 University Ave.
Livestream option available
Free
UW–Madison students perform as part of the Jazz Composers Group, directed by Les Thimmig, and Contemporary Jazz Ensemble, directed by Arun Luthra. Event presented by the Mead Witter School of Music. The concert will be live streamed and the video will also be posted to Mead Witter School of Music’s YouTube channel.
Fri., Nov. 12 | 8 p.m.
Arun Luthra’s Konnakol Lecture
Collins Recital Hall, Hamel Music Center | 740 University Ave.
Livestream option available
Free
Konnakol lecture with musical demonstrations performed by Arun Luthra with the Contemporary Jazz Ensemble (Mead Witter School of Music). Event presented by the Center for South Asia. The concert will be live streamed and the video will also be posted to Mead Witter School of Music’s YouTube channel.
Tue., Dec. 7 | 7:30 p.m.
Celebration of Arun Luthra’s residency and students projects:
मेले (Hindi: mele), ਮੇਲਾ (Punjabi: mēlā), मेला (Sanskrit: melā), fair
Arts + Literature Laboratory | 111 S. Livingston St., #100
Free
This final residency celebration event includes performances by Arun Luthra with the UW–Madison Contemporary Jazz Ensemble (Mead Witter School of Music) and final student projects from the residency class.
About
The fall 2021 Interdisciplinary Artist-in-Residence Teaching Program is presented by the UW–Madison Division of the Arts and hosted by the Mead Witter School of Music with Professor Johannes Wallmann as lead faculty. Wallmann is also the Director of Jazz Studies. Co-sponsors include the Center for South Asia, the Department of Anthropology and the Wisconsin Union Theater along with the Arts + Literature Laboratory and the Wisconsin Science Festival.
Arun Luthra Biography
Saxophonist, composer and konnakol artist Arun Luthra is an American musician of Indian heritage who fuses modern post-bop Black American Music with elements of Indian classical music – especially konnakol (South Indian classical music vocal percussion). He connects a wide range of modern and classic musical influences to create a vibrant new sound and style.
He is the leader of the Konnakol Jazz Project, who have performed across the Americas, Asia, Europe and Australia. Luthra has studied and performed with notable Hindustani and Carnatic music masters and also shared the stage and recorded with many of the greatest Black American Music, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, pop and world music artists. He is also a faculty member of the School of Jazz and Contemporary Music at the New School’s College of Performing Arts in New York.