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UTA professor and friend to perform original compositions

Written by Jason Boyd, The Shorthorn Scene editor

Monday, 18 January 2010 05:26 PM

In the words of Jazz legend Edward “Duke” Ellington, there are two types of music out there: good and bad.

Jazz studies assistant director and pianist Dan Cavanagh would fall into the former category, according to the National Academy of Music, which honored him last year for his composition “From the Barrage Comes Clarity.” He will be playing with vibraphonist Dave Hagedorn at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Irons Recital Hall. Their set will consist, partly of Cavanagh’s own compositions.

“His compositions are first rate,” said Hagedorn, artist-in-residence at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. The two met 13 years ago at St. Olaf, where Cavanagh earned his undergraduate degree in music theory and composition.

Cavanagh and Hagedorn will also begin work on a CD this week. OA2 Records, which released Cavanagh’s previous album “Pulse”, will likely release the new CD, Cavanagh said. Most of the album consists of his original compositions.
When they play, sometimes the results are unpredictable, Hagedorn said. They’ll have something scripted, but then it will change as one of them takes it in a new direction – with the other close behind.
“There’s a pretty deep connection,” he said.

Jazz studies senior Darren Hipp took several classes with Cavanagh. He plans to move on to graduate school for a music composition degree, and Cavanagh has been working closely with him during his growth as a music student, both in and out of the classroom.
“You really couldn’t ask for a better professor, as far as that goes,” he said.
During his time under Cavanagh’s tutelage, he developed an independent writing spirit.

Hipp said Cavanagh is comfortable with the fact that his music is not mainstream.
“You have to write the music that you want to write,” Hipp said. “Even if not everyone likes it, that doesn’t really matter. You just have to have pride in what you’re writing.”

To expand on the Ellington adage, Cavanagh said good music touches someone emotionally. That’s what he’s about as a composer and musician — playing music that touches others in some way.

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Last Updated ( Monday, 18 January 2010 05:31 PM )

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