"…it isn’t about control…it’s about revelation”

Described as “ a duet for conductor and orchestra…spontaneous prose” by the creator of Conduction and pioneering cornetist Butch Morris, Conduction has become an important part of my work as a composer, creator and artist. I met Butch during his final years on earth and he quickly became a close and influential mentor to me, challenging how I understood what composition and musical creation could be. Through Butch I met J.A. “Dino” Deane, who became a friend and collaborator (we released a duo record back in 2018). After Butch passed, I missed him so dearly that I sought out Dino to learn every possible thing I could about Conduction. Dino was the only person to ever study Conduction (from the conductor’s point of view) with Butch and I was the only person to ever study itwith Dino. I say this but want to clarify that anyone who ever played with Butch knows that the real schooling happened under his baton, on stage and in public.

Regardless, I’ve spent the years since Butch’s passing, and now Dino’s passing, to honor the intention of this system that Butch created. Running Conductions across several countries, teaching college courses to honor the ideas embedded therein. I don’t seek to recreate Butch’s work or even preserve his exact gestural language as if it were a historical museum piece. Though Butch and Dino have moved to another dimension, Conduction is very much alive and I hope to share this system, this practice and all its beautiful, infinite capabilities. Right before my dear friend Dino passed away, he asked me to, no matter what, carry the baton. These words are not a weight on me, but a superpower. So here’s to Butch, and Dino, and all who carry the intention of that baton…