The event will take place at 8pm on May 8, 2025, at the Arts Center of Saint Peter. Doors will open at 7:30 pm.
The host for Songwriters In The Round is Shelley Pierce, co-host of Shuffle Function on KMSU as well as the curator of KMSU’s Minnesota Music Channel. Shelley has played the bass since she pointed at an upright bass in the 5th grade and said “I’ll play that one”. She currently plays bass with Joe Tougas And The Associates and in the Arts Center of St. Peter’s Pageant And Sing-A-Long band.
Anyone who gets out to hear and support local music knows that we have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to bass players. For this year’s Songwriters In The Round I’ve invited a few of them to join me in discussion about the role of a bass player and how that perspective shapes their songwriting and composing. We will be sharing stories, insights and music – all centered around the foundation of any band, the bass player. I am so pleased to announce that the bassists joining me on May 8th are:
Liz Draper: Upright bassist Liz Draper has played with everyone from Sub-Pop’s Grammy-nominated slow-core band Low to the Balkan folk group Orkestar Bez Ime, Righteous Babe artist Pieta Brown, Grammy Award-winning Okee Dokee Brothers, and Smithsonian recording artist folk troubadour Charlie Parr. Liz currently tours with 2-time Grammy-nominated songwriter Iris DeMent. Aside from being an in-demand side woman, Liz has gained a name for herself as a composer, ensemble leader, soloist and curator. She attended Brooklyn’s School for Improvisational Music in 2003 and was one of seven Giant Steps Music Action Women international fellows in 2019. Liz is a 2021 American Composers Forum awardee for her solo work which can be described as “classicaldoomfolkjazz”. Liz moved back to the Minnesota River Valley in 2020 where she currently teaches and is proud to call “home.”
Eric Zimmerman: Eric Zimmerman is an educator, musician, and bandleader. His bass journey includes many different genres of music including jazz, funk, tribute bands, video game soundtracks, musicals, country, and educational concerts. His biggest influences are Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller, and Christian McBride. These days he is playing a P bass with flats trying to channel the wisdom of James Jamerson’s perfect groove on countless Motown recordings.
Craig Matarrese: Craig Matarrese is a Professor of Philosophy at Minnesota State University (Mankato), where he also teaches electric bass & directs the Jazz Combo for the Music Department. He plays in a variety of ensembles and contexts, for MSU and around Minnesota, including Blue Earth Collective (original fusion), the Masa Ishikawa Trio (jazz), Steely Ann (Steely Dan tribute), and Thru Line Quartet (jazz).
Mark Krogmann: Mark Newell Krogmann, aka MNewK, has been awarded the Best Instrumentalist trophy at the Minnesota Original Music Festival 48 Hour Band Challenge the last three years in a row. He picked up the bass first in 1993 and has since performed with eleven bands, ranging in style from alt-country to heavy metal. His current projects include the Burn Vault, Loadie, The Quantum Mechanics and OAF. He mixed and mastered the Burn Vault’s debut album Ignite as well as the forthcoming album from The Quantum Mechanics called 101.