Isthmus says:
“...gorgeous, thrilling and just a little bit terrifying.”
“…virtuosic”
Plutonium is composer Michael Brenneis’ engine of sonic exploration—featuring six horns, bass, and drums—and notably, no chordal instrument. This intentional omission opens a sonic space where harmony breathes, bends, and evolves in unexpected ways. Each composition challenges the players to engage fully, moving air with intensity and purpose, shaping lines that are at once meticulously crafted and organically alive.
The music lives at the intersection of structure and spontaneity. Every note is placed with intention, yet freedom is woven into the fabric—inviting contradiction, exploration, and adventure. Listeners will find themselves immersed in a sound world where density and space coexist, and where uncertainty becomes a creative force.
Drawing from twentieth and twenty-first century compositional techniques, Plutonium is Michael Brenneis’ vehicle for pushing boundaries while remaining rooted in a Jazz sensibility. It’s experimental, it’s avant-garde, and it’s deeply human. Come experience the music live—where the air moves, and the unexpected unfolds.
Trumpet: Paul Dietrich
Trombone: Jamie Kember
Tuba: David Spies
Tenor and soprano saxophones: Tom Gullion
Tenor and soprano saxophones: Matt Sintchak
Baritone saxophone and clarinet: Greg Smith
Bass: John Christensen
Drums: Michael Brenneis
Also check out other Music events in Madison, Arts events in Madison, Fine Arts events in Madison.
