Photo courtesy of CrossTalk Music graduate student Erick Saoud, music senior Carlos Vega and fine arts senior Lance Saxerud practice for the upcoming CrossTalk performance. CrossTalk, the only electronic percussion ensemble of its kind, has a new CD out, which will be sold for the first time at the concert.

Technological and musical innovations await audiences when CrossTalk performs Saturday night.

In its first on-campus solo concert, the University of Arizona's own electronic percussion band, CrossTalk, will perform truly one-of-a-kind music Saturday night at Crowder Hall at 7:30. Admission is free and open to the public.

CrossTalk is the only strictly electronic percussion group in the world and performs original music composed exclusively for them.

"A group like this has been a dream of mine for some time," said Norman Weinberg, associate professor of music and leader of CrossTalk. "I was finally able to make it possible at the U of A."

The music the group creates ranges in style from pop to experimental to ragtime and bears a definite resemblance to certain kinds of techno.

CrossTalk does not perform traditional drum music electronically. Rather, the goal is to create, arrange and perform new works and offer new opportunities to musicians.

"You can't see this anywhere else," Weinberg said. "It's totally unique. The music of CrossTalk includes every sound you can imagine - and some you can't."

The ensemble performs a concert every semester, but this semester's performance has a few special elements. The group is celebrating the release of their new CD, Alias, which includes two new compositions. The CD will be available at the concert. They will also welcome guest performer Mario DeCiutiis.

DeCiutiis has served since 1976 as principal percussionist for Radio City Music Hall, as well as performing in many Broadway shows. He has also been involved in the design, manufacture and sale of electronic drum controllers since 1986. DeCiutiis is now the president of a major manufacturer of electronic drum instruments.

"We wanted to bring in a guest performer this year, and because he manufactures the instruments we use, he was an obvious choice," said Weinberg of DeCiutiis. "He is also an outstanding musician."

The well-respected jazz-vibe musician will present two solo works and will perform with CrossTalk at Saturday evening's concert.

CrossTalk has been a featured performer at the 1999 Percussive Arts Society International Convention, the Toronto 2000: Musical Intersections Conference and the Nevada Day of Percussion, as well as several local and regional venues. They were recently invited to perform at the California Day of Percussion in June.

The group takes its name from a common error in making electronic music.

"CrossTalk is what happens in electronics when vibrations from one electronic trigger ends up tripping another one that you didn't intend," fine arts senior Lance Saxerud said. "It's a bad thing - it is something we have to be careful of."

The group's repertoire consists of solos, small chamber works and compositions that utilize the entire ensemble.

"This is something you really won't want to miss," Weinberg said.