THE BANZAT TRIO
Pan-stylistic, transatlantic improvised music by
Anders Åstrand, Vibraphone and Marimba
Brad Townsend, Bass
Nick Zielinski, Drums

Anders Åstrand Bio:
Åstrand is a renowned Swedish mallet specialist, considered to be a unique voice of both the marimba and the vibraphone. He is a popular and sought after soloist, regularly performing and giving master classes and clinics throughout the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Asia. From 2017-2022 Åstrand was leading the contemporary music/improvisation class at Orford Music Summer Academy in Quebec, Canada Since 2021 Åstrand teaches at the Evolution classical summer courses at Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. Åstrand focuses on melodic and rhythmical improvisation, with influences ranging from jazz, Scandinavian folk music, Gregorian chants, and ancient Greek songs.

The element of improvisation is also an essential feature in his compositions. His commissions include compositions for percussion and chamber music ensembles, brass quintets, saxophone quartet, choirs, and big band. A more spectacular side features compositions for ice instruments for percussion ensemble, as well as using fighter aircrafts, snow trucks, and buildings as instruments to be played on. 

Åstrand’s music can also be found in multimedia performances including dance, video projections, ice instruments, and fire sculptures. His latest compositions include More Steps a duett for saxophones, flute, marimba, and vibraphone, and Spring Dance, a solo piece for marimba, vibraphone, and symphony orchestra, and premiered 2016 at the Busan Maru Festival, South Korea.

Anders Åstrand regularly collaborates internationally with various ensembles and groups. The Omnibus Ensemble (Uzbekistan) has premiered two of his pieces, Omnibus 17  and Next Move As a featured guest artist and mallet player Åstrand has toured both in Europe and South America with Pies En la Terra (Ecuador). 

He plays vibraphone in both Soundscape Orchestra and Firm roots.  Soundscape Orchestra is based on electronic and acoustic instruments. Just released  their first Album in November 2018. Åstrand also plays the vibes in the big band Ann-Sofie Söderqvist Jazz Orchestra, and can be heard on the albums Move.

The duo Vibes and Bass (Mikael Berglund, bass, Anders Åstrand mallets) has released three albums with original music, Seven Thoughts , Frantelunia and the latest Watercolors. 

His own groups include WÅG (Mattias Wager church organ, Anders Åstrand mallets and percussion, Gary Graden vocals), Åstrand/Erlandsson Duo (Robert Erlandsson, double bass, Anders Åstrand mallets), BANZAT Trio (Nick Zielinski - Drums, Brad Townsend - Bass, Åstrand - Mallets) and his percussion ensemble, Global Percussion Network, with which he has toured extensively in Sweden, Europe, the United States, and South Korea. 

Anders Åstrand has performed at PASIC several times (Percussive Arts Society International Convention). He functions as International Education Orchestral Consultant for Zildjian since 2008.

Anders Åstrand plays Yamaha instruments, Zildjian cymbals, Vic Firth mallets, and Evans drumheads

Brad Townsend Bio:
Bradley Townsend holds a Masters of Music Degree in Improvisation from the University of Michigan and a Bachelors Degree in Music Performance from the University of Iowa, where he studied with Diana Gannett. Since graduating from Michigan in 2005, Brad has been teaching and performing both jazz and classical double bass in the Madison area.  Brad is also an avid jazz and classical performer. In addition to playing with many notable touring artists, he has played with the Rountree Ensemble, the Madison Symphony Orchestra, and the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra. His most recent honors include an invitation to perform at the Spark Festival of Electronic Music in the Twin Cities and a feature in Jazziz magazine of his University of Michigan jazz trio. He is currently performing as a member of a number of musical ensembles including Cashew, Executive Tea Set, and Arp of the Covenant.

Nick Zielinski Bio:
Nick Zielinski's music is rooted in improvisation, focusing on deep listening and the transformation of nostalgic audio artifacts into electro-acoustic sound collages. His work, balancing parody and pastiche, aims to evoke moments of meaning, insight, and aesthetic enjoyment.  In both live performances and digital recordings, Nick uses a blend of acoustic instruments (mainly drums) and digital tools created with Pure Data and VCV Rack. His computer acts as a repository of samples, drawn from childhood memories and early creative efforts, which are then processed and reimagined. By integrating algorithmic processes, he adds an element of unpredictability, keeping the music fresh and improvisational. Nick was featured as a soloist at MOXSonic in March 2024 and received a NEA and Iowa Arts Council grant for his "Decorah ArtHaus Improvisor’s Orchestra" project in 2023. Since 2021, he has recorded seven albums, including two solo works.