Ear Pollen, Part 2

Klimchak is a composer known for his use of electronics & homebuilt instruments. His work has been seen in dance, theater & solo performances around the world. In 2011, he was given a grant by Idea Capital to make a series of compositions for home-built percussion instruments with lights incorporated in them. They were performed in 2012/2013 as flash percussion performances, titled Klimchak’s Lebeato Lounge. In March, 2015, Klimchak premiered his solo show, CooksNotes, in which he makes music on kitchen implements while cooking dinner for the audience.

Klimchak regularly performs solo shows featuring the Don Buchla designed Marimba Lumina. Only about 100 of this very rare instrument were made. With the Marimba Lumina the percussionist is able to perform live music that would normally take at least 4 musicians. His multi-instrumental compositions are played with 4 separate mallets, six foot pedals and a breath controller. As added touches, his sets usually include 4 or 5 small percussion instruments, some chanting or tuvan throat singing and at least one solo on the theremin.

Bob Stagner is a professional percussionist, teacher, speaker and a recognized leader in Chattanooga arts advocacy for over 35 years. Bob co-founded the free improvisation duo, the Shaking Ray Levis, and the Shaking Ray Levi Society, an arts education organization that supports emerging artists in performance, art and film. Bob is also the Southeast director of The Rhythmic Arts Project that provides music workshops for people with physical and mental disabilities founded by well-known drummer Eddie Tuduri.

In addition to an intensive local and national performance and speaking schedule, Bob has an active teaching practice and conducts numerous TRAP workshops through such local, regional and national organizations as Signal Centers, Chattanooga and Hamilton County school systems, Orange Grove, T.C. Thompson’s Children’s Hospital, GoFest, WhoFest, VSA Arts of Tennessee, the Tennessee Association for the Deaf and Blind, Brain Injury Group of Chattanooga, HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital, Hospice of Chattanooga, and Open Arms Corporation’s adult daycare centers, among others.

Bob is an endorsed artist with Pearl Drums, and his work has been reviewed in such national publications as ​The New York Times​. He has performed and recorded with a number of critically acclaimed artists, including John Zorn, the Rev. Howard Finster, David Greenberger, Fred Frith, Min Tanaka, Amy Denio and Derek Bailey.