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Ben Stapp has established himself as a singular voice in contemporary music, reinventing the tuba’s role through a unique exploration of sound, color, and texture. Described by William Parker as a musician who "reinvents many aspects of tuba playing," Stapp is recognized by NYJCR’s Joe Morris as "one of the most profound improvisers at work in the U.S." As a composer, his work is noted for a "daring that few artists possess," exemplified by his Jerome Artist Award-winning opera, "Myrrha’s Red Book". His recent solo album, "Uzmic Ro’Samg", was featured on the JazzTimes Top 10 list, with critics hailing it as a "completely new language."Stapp’s discography spans over thirty albums, including eight releases as a leader on his own label, Uqbar Music. His versatile career includes high-profile engagements with Ray Anderson’s Pocket Brass Band, Steven Bernstein’s Universal Melody Brass Band, the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), and the American Composers Orchestra (ACO). He has further performed with Frank London, Steve Swell’s Tuba Band, Red Barrat, and the ECCE Ensemble, solidifying his presence across the Jazz, Classical, and Avant-Garde landscapes.
Through his label and his compositions, Stapp continues to push the boundaries of the medium. His work has transitioned from the stage to the classroom, with his larger-scale compositions becoming subjects of study in collegiate papers. He remains a dedicated innovator, frequently cited by publications like Avant Music News for creating works that demand and deserve global attention.
Michael Parker is a diversified performer, educator, and clinician who operates at the intersection of classical tradition and modern fusion. He is widely recognized for his DJTUBA persona, a project that blurs the lines between Classical, Jazz, Electronic, Indie, and Hip Hop. As a composer and advocate for new music, Parker has commissioned and recorded numerous works that incorporate cross-genre fusion. His innovative "DJTUBA" programs have been presented in diverse settings ranging from dance parties to formal conservatory stages, community concert series, and a number of professional conferences.
Throughout his career, Parker has toured the United States extensively. As a former member of the Monumental Brass Quintet for 15 years, he has appeared on the artist rosters of Summit Records, Washington Performing Arts Society, Young Audiences of Virginia, Young Audiences of DC, Class Acts Arts, and Living Arts Pennsylvania. His performance credits include the Washington National Opera, Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, Binghamton Philharmonic, Williamsport Symphony, Scranton Brass Orchestra, Northeastern Philharmonic, Lyric Brass, Scranton Brass Orchestra, Elmhurst Symphony, Kenosha Symphony, Missouri Brass Consortium, Brass Effects, Macey Leeds Dance Party, and the Dave Jumper Voodoo BBQ Brass Band.
Parker currently serves on the faculty at Marywood University as a lecturer in Brass Studies and Hip Hop History, having previously taught at the University of Scranton, Bloomsburg University, and the Peabody Preparatory of Johns Hopkins University. Michael resides in Bloomsburg, PA, with his wife, Victoria, and their two sons. An outdoor enthusiast, Parker enjoys spending time hiking and riding ATVs and motorcycles. Michael has an obsession with vintage All Terrain Cycles and enjoys maintaining and riding his collection of early 1980’s Kawasaki and Honda ATC Three Wheelers.
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24 East Main Street, Bloomsburg, PA, United States, Pennsylvania 17815
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Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.