The University of Iowa School of Music will present “Not in Kansas Anymore: Percussive Improvisations,” an evening-length musical exploration showcasing the creative energies of New York City-based drummer Matt Wilson and UI professor of percussion Dan Moore, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, in the Art Building West auditorium on the UI campus.

The event is free and open to the public.

The program will feature solo and duo performances by Moore and Wilson on a variety of unique percussion instruments and drumset. The program will also feature guest composers Geb Thomas, associate professor of mechanical and industrial engineering, Jon Winet, associate professor of intermedia and director of the Digital Studio for Public Humanities, and Raul Curto, professor of mathematics and executive associate dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The composers are each preparing a “musical score” based on their own research that Wilson and Moore will interpret to create distinctive audio soundscapes.

Also on the program will be a performance of Desert Éclats by Paul Elwood. Written for vibraphone and unspecified percussion instruments, the score is based on a topographical map of Taos New Mexico. Moore will perform Moving Waters, a work for solo waterphone written for him by rising young composer Joe W. Moore III. Wilson will present some of his eclectic and creative compositions for solo drumset.

Wilson has been hailed the “near-ubiquitous jazz drummer of the last decade,” and reviewers have described Moore as an “omni-percussionist” who is “clearly a gifted improviser.” Both Moore and Wilson are known for their ability to create compelling music from a wide variety of source material ranging from great works of art to magazine pages, and both spoken and written word.

The School of Music is part of the Division of Performing Arts in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this concert, contact the School of Music in advance at 319-335-1603.

For a UI arts calendar and details about upcoming events visit the Arts Iowa website.