Blue Note Ensemble

Lakeside Lounge bar service offering beverages and small bites opens at 6:30 pm. Presented by the University of Wisconsin Badger Talks Program Step into the vibrant world of the Blue Note Ensemble, UW–Madison’s premier small jazz group led by nationally acclaimed pianist, composer, and educator Professor Johannes Wallmann. Typically featuring 2–3 frontline instruments—like trumpets, trombones, saxophones, woodwinds, or even high strings—alongside 1–2 comping instruments such as piano, guitar, or vibraphone, plus bass and drums, the group delivers a rich, textured sound that’s both classic and contemporary. Each semester, the ensemble dives deep into the work of a single iconic jazz artist, offering students the chance to explore that artist’s style, language, and legacy in depth. Past focuses have included jazz legends such as Horace Silver, Joe Henderson, and Art Blakey, among others. The ensemble will delight audiences with 45 to 60 minutes of music from a recent or upcoming concert with an opportunity for informal interaction with the performers after the concert.