Wilder Deitz started his musical career at 8 years old, playing as a sideman for his father, singer-songwriter Ritt Deitz. Now 21, Wilder is one of the most exciting new players in the American Midwest’s jazz scene. Along with composing and leading his own group, he serves as both the pianist in the UW Black Music Ensemble (led by world-renowned bassist Richard Davis) and the director of the Madi- son East High School Black Music Ensemble. Wilder has released two discs as a bandleader, 2013’s Themes & Waltzes and 2014’s Issa.

Joining Wilder for his date at the Stoughton Opera House will be expert saxophonist Alex Charland, longtime Wilder Deitz collabora- tor and drummer Joe Galligan, and two superb upright bassists: Ben Johnson (pizzicato) and Liz Clawson (arco). The group mixes influenc- es from nearly every genre imaginable— from Debussy and Chopin to hip-hop to Arab folk music—to create a unique and compelling sound that owes as much to spontaneous collective improvisation as it does to composition.

Tickets $15