Ben Stapp Launches Uzmic Ro’Samg explorations— A Visionary Solo Concert for prepared Tuba(s), Extensions, and Electronics.
A daring, world-building statement, the music blends technical mastery with narrative forms rooted in Stapp’s original science fiction narrative.
With Uzmic Ro’Samg, he turns to the solo format, showcasing the sheer breadth of sonic possibilities within low brass while embedding the music inside a deeply imaginative conceptual framework.
Each of the movements on Uzmic Ro’Samg is tied to figures and events in Stapp’s long-developing science fiction opus—a meditation on consciousness, transformation, and encounters with extraterrestrial entities he calls “Keepers.” These connections give the concert a rare depth: a balance of physical intensity and narrative mystery....
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Ben Stapp Launches Uzmic Ro’Samg explorations— A Visionary Solo Concert for prepared Tuba(s), Extensions, and Electronics.
A daring, world-building statement, the music blends technical mastery with narrative forms rooted in Stapp’s original science fiction narrative.
With Uzmic Ro’Samg, he turns to the solo format, showcasing the sheer breadth of sonic possibilities within low brass while embedding the music inside a deeply imaginative conceptual framework.
Each of the movements on Uzmic Ro’Samg is tied to figures and events in Stapp’s long-developing science fiction opus—a meditation on consciousness, transformation, and encounters with extraterrestrial entities he calls “Keepers.” These connections give the concert a rare depth: a balance of physical intensity and narrative mystery.
Music innovator, Ben Stapp has established himself as a singular voice both as a tubist and composer. His distinct voice caught the attention of bassist William Parker, describing him as “a low-brass hero who creates beautiful full-range tuba sounds that make you love the instrument and the musician…reinventing many aspects of tuba playing regarding the sounds, colors and textures– a great musician.” In the same NYJCR artist feature, Joe Morris adds, he is “one of the most profound improvisers at work in the U.S.”
As a composer, Cisco Bradely describes him as having “a daring that few artists possess.” Bruce Gallanter recalls that his two hour opera, Myrrha’s Red Book, which received the Jerome Artist Award, was “unlike anything he reviewed in recent times.” The opera, now a cult classic, has since been written about in college papers; and Mike Borella, from Avant Music News, writes it “should have garnered much greater attention.” His label, Uqbar Music, features Eight albums as leader.
Stapp has cultivated his sound from extensive experience as a performer in many styles including collaborations and recordings with William Parker, Ray Anderson’s Pocket Brass Band, Steven Bernstein’s Universal Melody Brass Band, Frank London, Steve Swell, Tony Malaby, Hank Robertson, Stephen Haynes, American Composers Orchestra, the International Contemporary Ensemble, Red Barrat, ECCE Ensemble, and TILT.
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