Precarious Towers

"the group dynamic is near perfection." — All About Jazz

Sharel Cassity, alto saxophone, flute (Chicago)
Mitchell Shiner, vibraphone (Milwaukee)
Johannes Wallmann, piano (Madison)
John Christensen, bass (Madison)
Devin Drobka, drums (Milwaukee)

Precarious Towers is a high-octane regional all-star group, including Sharel Cassity (Chicago, alto saxophone, perennial "Rising Star" in the Downbeat critics poll), Mitch Shiner (Milwaukee, vibraphone), John Christensen (Madison, bass), Devin Drobka (Milwaukee, drums), and Johannes Wallmann (Madison, piano). All five members are accomplished band leaders, recording artists, touring performers and in-demand sidemen. The band’s first gigs were Wallmann’s brainchild, conceived early in the Covid shutdown when the quintet’s otherwise highly in-demand players suddenly found their schedules emptied and were looking for a new project. The creative synergy of those early performances immediately made everyone in the band want to play together more, and soon, Precarious Towers found itself in the studio, recording its eponymous first album, featuring Wallmann’s compositions.

With everyone in the band an experienced composer, though, the other members started bringing in their compositions to the band, and talk soon turned to recording a collaborative follow-up album, featuring everyone’s writing. Sharel Cassity describes the group dynamic: “We each bring a unique voice to the group that complements the others, and everyone is really intuitive to where the music is going and what is needed.” A project thus turned into a band, and in January 2023, Precarious Towers found itself in Cassity’s home studio recording Ten Stories, an anthology of tunes contributed by every band member.

The mood ranges from fiery (Cassity’s “Journeyer,” Shiner’s “Whistle in the Wind,” Drobka’s “Non-Non”) to introspective (Christensen’s “Purpley,” Cassity’s “Tone Poem”); from slow burn (Shiner’s “Hutcherspired”) to soulful (Wallmann’s “Nice Day”). Just as the band is greater than the sum of its accomplished parts, each piece of Ten Stories tells a unique, self-contained story, but together, they form the band’s metaphorical towers. Throughout, the band plays with joyful abandon, and while these towers may appear to briefly wobble under the band’s fearless musical risk-taking, they are anchored solidly in a foundation of joy, collaboration, and friendship.

Precarious Towers have performed at Cafe Coda, North Street Cabaret, the Pursuit of Happiness Festival, and the Wisconsin Union Theater in Madison, the Jazz Estate and the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in Milwaukee, and at the Fox Cities Jazz Festival.

Ten Stories (2023)

September 2023, Shifting Paradigm Records

Available on Bandcamp (CD or download), Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music.

• "A collective musical odyssey that unites five exceptionally talented musicians [...] a testament to the power of collaboration and creative synergy." — Jazz In Europe

• 2023 Top Ten New Releases — Larry Hollis, Cadence Magazine

• “This Midwestern five-piece is tight, following interesting ideas while never veering too far from a clear, straightahead sound. […] All five members are strong composers.”  — Downbeat Magazine

• "Lots of sparks flying in all the right directions." — Jazz Weekly

• “Ten Stories is a mesmerizing jazz album that showcases the exceptional talent of an ensemble named after one of my favorite jazz releases of 2022 by Johannes Wallmann. Together, Precarious Towers raises an already high bar with each band member swinging for the fences. […] Whether it’s the introspective ballads or the lively, up-tempo pieces, Precarious Towers demonstrates a remarkable ability to captivate the listener’s emotions and imagination.” — Something Else!

Precarious Towers (2022)

2022, Shifting Paradigm Records

Available on Bandcamp (CD or download), and on all major streaming platforms

• “Best of Jazz on Bandcamp, June 2022”

• “Best Classical, Jazz and World Album” 2022 Madison Area Music Awards (MAMAs)

• “Best of 2022 Album” — Something Else!

• "Johannes Wallmann and his band pack a lot of good stuff in Precarious Towers. So much so that repeated listening is a requirement. That’s the hallmark of a great album." — Something Else!

• "fine performances throughout from this expressive quintet." — UK Vibe

• There's a great deal to like and much to recommend about Precarious Towers [...]. There's, first of all, the terrific players [Wallmann] recruited for the project, secondly, the strong material he's given them to perform, and, thirdly, the inspired performances they've delivered. [...] In being given material so strong to work with, it's no surprise that the musicians responded so enthusiastically in their performances” — Textura

• "Tasty stuff for when you want some listening jazz that isn't easy listening, there's just enough funk here to tie it all together in a fine package. Well done." — Midwest Record