Sidran to teach, perform

Renowned Madison musician Ben Sidran will be the spring 2003 Arts Institute interdisciplinary artist in residence.

A UW–Madison alumnus and longtime Madison resident, Sidran has been a major force in the modern-day history of jazz, and rock and roll, and in the fields of music production, publishing, scoring for films, composition and historiography. Sidran composed the musical score for films such as “Hoop Dreams,” and his most recent CD, the Grammy- nominated “Concert for Garcia Lorca (Go Jazz, 2000).”

Perhaps less well-known is Sidran’s legacy as a scholar who holds a doctorate from the University of Sussex and who is the author of several books. His latest, “Ben Sidran: A Life in the Music” (a memoir) will be published in March by Cooper Square Press.

While at UW–Madison, Sidran will teach the course Jewish Popular Music in America: Berlin to Kravitz. The following public events will be offered during his residency:

• Thursday, Jan. 30, 7 p.m. Sidran will speak on “Jewish Music and the American Dream,” Mitchell Theatre, Vilas Hall. Free; reception follows. Information: 265-4763.
• Saturday, Feb. 1, 7:30 p.m. Henry Sapoznik Klezmer Trio, Music Hall. Discover the joy of traditional Jewish music with klezmer pioneer Henry Sapoznik (banjo/vocals), fiddler Marlene “Cookie” Segelstein and bassist/tubist Mark Rubin. Free. Information: 265-4763.
• Thursday, Feb. 20, 7 p.m. Orpheum Stage Door Theatre, 216 State St. Screening of the documentary “Hoop Dreams” (1994, 170 min.), with introduction and post-film question-and-answer session with Sidran. Prior to the screening, at 4 p.m., Sidran will give a free talk to the university community on composing the original score for “Hoop Dreams” at a Communication Arts film colloquium, 4070 Vilas Hall. Information: 265-4763.
• Saturday, April 12, 8 p.m., Ben Sidran and Friends: A Jazz Tribute to Jewish Popular Music in America, Wisconsin Union Theater. Sidran is joined by acclaimed musicians in a jazz celebration of Jewish music in America. Among his friends (and family) are Howard Levy, Gil Goldstein, Bob Malach, Lynette Margulies and Leo Sidran. Tickets: $30, public; $29, Union members; $14.50, UW–Madison students. Information: 262-2201 or visit http://www.wut.org.

Sidran’s residency is sponsored by the School of Music and the Mosse/Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies through the Conney Family Fund, and co-sponsored by the Department of Communication Arts.