Songwriters in the Round

About

The MN Original Music Festival (MOMF) presents, "Songwriters in the Round," with host Shelley Pierce.

Songwriters in the Round explores the process of songwriting and composing from the perspective of songwriters. This year the program features songwriters that play the bass as their primary instrument. Shelley's guests include some of Minnesota's most gifted bassists, with Liz Draper, Eric Zimmerman, Craig Matarrese, and Mark Krogmann. The musicians will share stories, insights and music from the perspective of the foundation of any band, the bassist. There may be a workshop at the end (so don't forget your bass).

Host Shelley Pierce is the curator of KMSU radio's Minnesota Music Channel (MMC), cohost of the popular KMSU radio program, Shuffle Function, sits on the boards of several nonprofits including, the Arts Center of Saint Peter, Minnesota Original Music Festival (MOMF) and Diverse Emerging Music Organization (DEMO), and is a gifted bassist.

Liz Draper is a composer, ensemble leader, soloist and curator. She attended Brooklyn’s School for Improvisational Music in 2003, was one of seven Giant Steps Music Action Women international fellows in 2019, and was a 2021 American Composers Forum awardee for her solo work. Liz has played with everyone from Sub-Pop’s Grammy-nominated slow-core band Low to the Balkan folk group Orkestar Bez Ime, Righteous Babe artist Pieta Brown, Grammy Award-winning Okee Dokee Brothers, and Smithsonian recording artist folk troubadour Charlie Parr. Liz currently tours with 2-time Grammy-nominated songwriter Iris DeMent.

Eric Zimmerman is an educator, musician, and bandleader. His bass journey includes many different genres of music including jazz, funk, tribute bands, video game soundtracks, musicals, country, and educational concerts. His influences include Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, and Christian McBride. Eric released his debut album, Exhibit A, in 2019.

Craig Matarrese is a Professor of Philosophy at Minnesota State University (Mankato), where he also teaches electric bass & directs the Jazz Combo for the Music Department. He plays in a variety of ensembles and contexts, including Blue Earth Collective (original fusion), the Masa Ishikawa Trio (jazz), Steely Ann (Steely Dan tribute), and Thru Line Quartet (jazz).

Mark Newell Krogmann, aka MNewK, has been awarded the Best Instrumentalist at the Minnesota Original Music Festival's 48 Hour Band Challenge every year since the festival's inception (now called the Krogmann award). Mark has performed with eleven bands, ranging in style from alt-country to heavy metal. His current projects include the Burn Vault, Loadie, The Quantum Mechanics and OAF. Mark is an accomplished composer and recording engineer.