Nancy Zeltsman
Nancy Zeltsman has been a leading marimba specialist for over 40 years. She has performed and taught across the U.S. and Europe and in Japan, China, Mexico, and Brazil. Zeltsman can be heard on numerous albums as a soloist with Marimolin (her duo with violinist Sharan Leventhal since 1985) and with her marimba duo partner Jack Van Geem (since 2000). She had a hand in over 150 solo and chamber works having been composed for the marimba. Nancy teaches marimba and chamber music at joint institutions Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and Berklee College of Music (since 1993), and as a guest artist at University of Michigan (since 2021). She founded and served as Artistic Director of Zeltsman Marimba Festival which was attended by over 600 participants between 2001 and 2018. Nancy was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 2022. She lives in Boston, Massachusetts. More at: https://nancyzeltsman.com
Nancy Zeltsman, solo marimba: “drinking water”
Session Description:
My new solo marimba program, "drinking water," reflects rejuvenation and renewal. The music was composed by Carla Bley, Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Moto Fukushima, Fred Hersch (blended with a traditional folk song), Antônio Carlos Jobim, Gunther Schuller (2025 marks his 100th birthday centennial), Paul Simon, and Friedrich Wilhelm Zachow.
The majority of pieces are new to being performed on marimba, having been adapted or arranged by me. The music has American, Brazilian, German, Italian, Japanese, and Scottish origins —stylistically representing Baroque, classical, contemporary classical, historical folk, jazz, Latin, and pop; and was composed from the late 1600s to the 2020s. Most of the pieces may sound familiar stylistically, while they also are a bit obscure.
“drinking water” is also the title of my new album of recordings being released this fall containing many of these pieces, and more!
The majority of pieces are new to being performed on marimba, having been adapted or arranged by me. The music has American, Brazilian, German, Italian, Japanese, and Scottish origins —stylistically representing Baroque, classical, contemporary classical, historical folk, jazz, Latin, and pop; and was composed from the late 1600s to the 2020s. Most of the pieces may sound familiar stylistically, while they also are a bit obscure.
“drinking water” is also the title of my new album of recordings being released this fall containing many of these pieces, and more!
Session Category:
- Keyboard
Date:
Friday, November 14, 2025
Time:
2:00 PM
Location:
Wabash
Session Type:
Daytime Showcase Concert
Session Format:
Live
