Von Hansen
The University of Wyoming Department of Music presents percussionist Von Hansen for his multimedia concert “Music is the Best” Monday, Sept. 22, at 7:30 p.m. in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts recital hall.
The performance is free and open to the public.
Hansen is a performer, composer and multimedia artist who seeks to bring joy and thought through engaging musical experiences. His musical style is a synthesis of the hip-hop, jazz, rock and electronic music melded with minimalism and experimental music. Using drums, percussion and computer processing, Hansen creates music that grooves hard in unusual beats.
“Music is the Best” is a heartfelt tribute to Hansen’s father, who introduced Hansen to the boundary-pushing work of musician Frank Zappa. Using Zappa’s legacy as a narrative bridge, Hansen takes the audience on a journey through his musical identity and the development of his own distinct style as a composer and performer. The program features the titular track from Hansen’s debut album, “Mortal Coil,” which was written in honor of his father.
Also a faculty member at Washburn University, Hansen is committed to increasing educational opportunities for percussionists and is active with the Percussive Arts Society. He has presented concerts and masterclasses at various universities and conferences, including the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Electronic Music Midwest, the Kansas City Electronic Music Alliance, the Kansas and Oklahoma Days of Percussion, the National Conference on Percussion Pedagogy and SEAMUS.
