Program Notes for Conducted Improvisation with Shahzad Ismaily
Conducted Improvisation with Shahzad Ismaily
October 11, 2025
Lloyd Ultan Recital Hall
UMN School of Music
Musicians:
Maja Radovanlija – Guitar/Prepared Piano
Nate Tseng – Clarinet
Craig Edwards – Synth/Casiotone 202
Benicio Jarman – Percussion
James Hines – Trumpet
DeVante Jackson – Baritone Sax
Cody Steinmann – Guitar
Yang Lin Molsbee – Piano
Gianmarco Videl – Guitar
Lexy Race – Duduk/drone flute
Niloufar Shiri – Kamāncheh
yuniya edi kwon – Violin
About Conduction
Lawrence Douglas “Butch” Morris (February 10, 1947 – January 29, 2013) was an American cornetist, composer, and conductor who was commissioned by the Walker in 1998 to create Japan Skyscraper. He is best known for pioneering the structural improvisation method known as Conduction, which he utilized in many recordings and performances. He describes it as follows:
The practice of conveying and interpreting a lexicon of directives to construct or modify sonic arrangement or composition; a structure-content exchange between composer/conductor and instrumentalists that provides immediate possibility to initiate or alter harmony, melody, rhythm, tempo, progression, articulation, phrasing or form through the manipulation of pitch, dynamics (volume/intensity/density), timbre, duration, silence, and organization in real-time.
Read more about Butch Morris in this article by Senior Curator Philip Bither.
About Shahzad Ismaily
Shahzad Ismaily is a Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, composer and engineer. Born in Harrisburg, PA, to Pakistani immigrant parents, he was diagnosed with ectodermal dysplasia—a rare genetic disorder that has profoundly impacted Ismaily’s ability to listen, endure, compose and collaborate.
Since moving to New York City in 2000, Ismaily has been a seminal member of the music community. Exploring improvisation, tonal shifts, and rhythmic movement, the Grammy-nominated artist has collaborated with numerous national and international musicians. His work spans a wide array of instruments—from electric bass, guitar, drums, percussion to synthesizers and various sound-makers gathered throughout life’s travels. Described by The New York Times as the “Musician’s favorite Musician”, he has recorded and performed with a diverse crew of artmakers and avante-garde musicians from around the world.
Collaborators
yuniya edi kwon (b. 1989) is a composer-improviser, violinist, and vocalist based in New York City. Through a practice of diasporic improvisationalism, yuniya creates performance work that is “absolutely stunning” (Wire Magazine), “shockingly original, perfectly realized” (Crack Magazine), and “as unpredictable as life itself” (Monheim Papers). She is a Guggenheim Fellow in Composition, Creative Capital Awardee, Arts Fellow at Princeton University, Civitella Ranieri Fellow, Foundation for Contemporary Arts Robert Rauschenberg Awardee in Music/Sound, and United States Artists Ford Fellow. In addition to an evolving solo practice, yuniya collaborates with artists of diverse disciplines, including The Art Ensemble of Chicago, Senga Nengudi, Holland Andrews, Du Yun, Kenneth Tam, and Degenerate Art Ensemble. Her work has been presented by Dia Art Foundation, Performa Biennial, New York Live Arts, Under The Radar Festival, National Sawdust, Roulette Intermedium, On The Boards, Asia Society, Harlem Stage, Foundation for Contemporary Arts, Civitella Ranieri Foundation, Monheim Triennale, and others. She has performed throughout the Americas and EU, including the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Jazzfest Berlin, Barbican Centre, Walker Art Center, Chicago Jazz Festival, Kennedy Center, Big Ears Festival, SESC Pompeia, SESC Santos, Festival Sons d’hivers, Festival Banlieues Bleues, Bergamo Jazz Festival, and more.
Acknowledgments
To learn more about upcoming performances, visit 2025/26 Walker Performing Arts Season.
