Percussionist Glenn Kotche is perhaps best known as the drummer for the Chicago-based band Wilco. But, as Wilco fans know, the Illinois native is far more than a rock ‘n' roll beat-keeper.
Layered rhythms and creative definitions of “percussive instrument” emerge on his solo albums. You can also hear it in this piece by Steve Reich, called “Clapping Music Variations.” Kotche performed it in 2006 with the Bang On a Can All-Stars.
The New York group's mission is to foster the composition, performance, and recording of contemporary music. They recently commissioned a new piece by Kotche. He'll be performing it, along with this piece and others, this Sunday at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall on the Northwestern campus in Evanston.
The performance also includes a new commission by guitarist Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth.