Chicago Jazz Audio Experience: Recent Episodes
Chicago Jazz Magazine
Bear's story is a fascinating one – starting in Chicago, where he first started playing bass guitar, then moving to Los Angeles, where he collaborated and recorded with some of the most illustrious names in the global music scene.
Mike Jeffers and Juan Pastor talk about the Upcoming Chicago Jazz Festival. Juan Pastor is on the Pritzker Pavilion Friday September 1 at 4:15pm.
Around Town with Mike Jeffers talking to Javier Red’s about his new release, Imagery Converter, Life & Umbrella.
Episode 073 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers features an interview with bassist Eric Hochberg previewing his upcoming performance at the 2023 Chicago Jazz Festival on Friday September 1, 2023 at 11:30am at the Von Freeman Pavilion with his group "Eric Hochberg's StringThing" featuring Mark Feldman, Larry Gray, Steve Million and Michael Raynor.
Saxophonist Chico Freeman sits down with Chicago Jazz Magazine founder, Mike Jeffers, for the October 2019 feature interview. Chico talks about growing up in a legendary Chicago musical family, the Freeman family. The son of Von Freeman, he shares stories about starting to play sax, attending Northwestern University, his decision to make music his career, moving to New York, performing with Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner and many others.
Chicago blues legend Jimmy Burns talks about his background, his love of blues and how he rose to prominence on the Chicago Blues Scene!
visit www.bluesinchicago.com and www.chicagojazz.com for more interviews and information.
chicagoblues #bluesmusic #chicagojazz #jazzmusic
Episode 067 of "Around Town with Mike Jeffers" features an interview with the incredibly talented guitarist, Nick Moss, to delve into the making of his latest release, "Get Your Back Into It!" by The Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling available July 14th on Alligator Records.
In this interview, Mike Jeffers and Nick Moss talk about the creative process, inspirations, and concepts that shaped "Get Your Back Into It!" The collaboration with harmonica virtuoso Dennis Gruenling adds a whole new dimension to the band's sound, and Moss talks about how he first met Dennis and how the collaboration has evolved over the years.
Visit https://www.bluesinChicago.com/ for more interviews
Visit https://www.nickmossband.com/ https://www.alligator.com/ #chicagoblues #bluesmusic #bluesguitar @mikejeffersmedia
Chris Greene talks with Mike Jeffers about the Chris Greene Music musical journey and their upcoming performance at Evanston SPACE on July 23rd on EPISODE 067 of Around Town!
Visit www.ChicagoJazz.com for Interviews, Podcasts, Shows and more!
musicpodcast #chicagopodcast #jazzpodcast #mikejeffers
Vasti Jackson, 2 Time Grammy Nominee and Cultural Ambassador of Mississippi talks with Mike Jeffers back stage at the 2023 Chicago Blues Festival.
They discuss the origins of blues music, Chicago blues music, Mississippi blues music and the importance it has on modern day music.
Watch the entire episode here
Visit ChicagoJazz.com and BluesinChicago.com for more Chicago music!
Chicago jazz saxophonist Eric Schneider has toured the world with the Count Basie Band, Earl "Fatha" Hines and many others. He has shared the stage with Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Sammy Davis Jr. and many others throughout his musical career. On this "Around Town Rerun Mike Jeffers talks with Eric Schneider about getting his start in music, joining the legendary Count Basie band, the things he has learned throughout his musical career and much more.
Watch the full interview on Mike's Youtube channel
interview #musicpodcast #jazzpodcast #chicagopodcast
Chicago Blues Triple Threat Nigel Mack talks with Mike Jeffers about his new recording "Back in Style" and his upcoming release show at Buddy Guy's Legends on July 9th!
Get more information at NigelMack.com
Watch the Interview! Subscribe to Mike Jeffers Media on Youtube Here
What a great experience talking with Sheryl Youngblood about her career in music on a new episode of "OPEN MIC". She has such a passion for music and people I hope you take a listen and check out her website www.sherylyoungbloodband.com
https://www.youtube.com/@mikejeffersmedia
Thanks to Buddy Guy's Legends for hosting the interview!
Episode 061 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers features an interview with singer/songwriter/arranger Joanie Pallatto discussing her new release "Accidental Melody" featuring Fareed Haque on Southport Records.
She discusses the concepts for the new recording and previews her upcoming release concert Sunday June 11th from 4pm-6pm at the Green Mill.
Visit www.ChicagoJazz.com for all things Chicago Jazz.
Episode 062 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers features an interview with Kia S. Smith, the Executive Artistic Director of the South Chicago Dance Theatre, and Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few discussing the World Premiere of Memoirs of Jazz in the Alley at the Auditorium Theatre on June 10th at 7:30pm.
Kia Smith, the daughter of the late great saxophonist Jimmy Ellis who founded Jazz in the Alley, talks about the history and process of creating this incredible show.
Visit www.ChicagoJazz.com for all things Chicago Jazz
Open Mic with Mike Jeffers
Wayne Baker Brooks previews his upcoming Chicago Blues Festival performance on June 8, 2023 and talks about growing up with his father, Chicago Blues Legend Lonnie Brooks and brother Ronnie Baker Brooks.
Wayne talks about keeping his fathers legacy alive while finding his own sound and creating his own music. He shares stories about how his father, Lonnie, asked Albert King to talk him into playing the drums, meeting Muddy Waters on stage at Chicago Fest and much more.
Visit www.BluesinChicago.com for more information.
chicagoblues #chicagojazz #mikejeffers #waynebakerbrooks
Episode 001 of OPEN MIC with MIKE JEFFERS features an interview with Michael Lerich who, during the 1970's, 80's, 90's and early 2000's was one of the busiest and most successful music contractors in only in Chicago but the country.
Starting out at age 22 Michael began working with bandleader Alan Kay, learning the business of contracting musical groups for private events and weddings. By 1981 he was contracting over 1800 jobs a year with numerous groups throughout the city of Chicago and employing hundreds of musicians each week.
Mike Jeffers talks with Michael on how he started his business, the important things he learned when working with clients, what the keys to running a great event and much more.
Seven-time Grammy award winner, Paul Wertico Previews his "Letters from Rome Trio" and more on Around Town with Mike Jeffers.
Seven-time Grammy award winner, drummer and educator Paul Wertico talks with Mike Jeffers on Episode 058 of Around Town and shares details about his upcoming shows at Andy's Jazz Club, where he'll be performing with his Letters From Rome Trio featuring Fabrizio Mocata and Gianmarco Scaglia on April 28th and 29th.
Paul also previews his upcoming clinic scheduled to take place during the 32nd annual Chicago Drum Show on May 20th and 21st at the Kane County Fairgrounds and he and Mike discuss the upcoming Roosevelt CCPA Jazz Festival at the Jazz Showcase on April 29th.
Visit ChicagoJazz.com for all things Chicago Jazz
paulwertico #jazzdrums #jazzmusic #podcast
Join Mike Jeffers for a conversation with acclaimed saxophonist Chris Madsen as they delve into his latest album, "The Trio Book," featuring bassist Clark Sommers and drummer Dana Hall. Gain unique insights into Madsen's artistic vision for performing with only bass and drums as a saxophonist, and discover his innovative techniques for preparing to play in a group without a chordal instrument.
Don't miss Chris Madsen's The Trio Book release show at the Epiphany Center for the Arts on Wednesday May 10th. Get Tickets Here
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Mike Jeffers talks with vocalist, Libby York, about her latest release "Dreamland" and the upcoming release show at Winter's Jazz Club in Chicago on April 20, 2023. Get to know Libby as she shares insights into her background, the inspiration behind her song choices, her passion for the lyrics, phrasing and more.
Visit https://www.chicagojazz.com for all things Chicago Jazz
musicpodcast #podcastinterviews #jazzpodcast
Michael Stryker, Director of Jazz Studies at UIC, chats with Chicago Jazz Magazine founder Mike Jeffers about the UIC Jazz Festival happening on April 19th and 20th at the Epiphany Center for the Arts with special guest Jared Schonig.
Learn more about this amazing festival and get ready to immerse yourself in the world of jazz with 2 days of performances and clinics. Michael also discusses the importance of jazz education for high school and college students and what are the crucial experiences that can help students develop into professional musicians and take their playing to the next level. Don't miss out on this informative conversation packed with valuable insights for any aspiring musician!
Visit for More Information about the UIC Jazz Festival
They also discuss the the final installment of Jazz Prayer at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Oak Park on April 21st.
Visit for More Information
musicnews #chicagojazz #jazzeducation #musiceducation
Episode 052 Around Town with Mike Jeffers
In this podcast episode, Mike Jeffers sits down with pianist Marcus Roberts to delve into his long-standing collaboration with his jazz trio, comprising of Jason Marsalis and Martin Jaffe. Marcus also gives us a sneak peek into his upcoming performance at the Music Institute of Chicago at Nichols Concert Hall in Evanston on April 15th.
Beyond discussing his trio's musical synergy, Marcus shares his insightful thoughts on the dynamic relationship between musicians and their audience, the changing perception of jazz in contemporary times, and the value of mentorship for aspiring musicians. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of Marcus Roberts' musical journey and the ever-evolving landscape of jazz.
jazzpiano #jazzpodcast #musicpodcast
Episode 051 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers features and interview with saxophonist Shawn Maxwell discussing his new release "Story at Eleven".
This is his 11th release and Shawn discusses recording the project in one day and setting up the process so it felt like a live performance. He discusses how he continues to have a passion to compose and record and how after 11 recordings the way he conceptualizes his music has grown and encompassed all of the genres he is influenced by.
Visit ShawnMaxwell.com for more information and the new recording.
#jazzinterview #musicinterview #chicagojazz #chicago
Blue Note Recording Artist Immanuel Wilkins is Mike Jeffers guest on Around Town Episode 049 discussing his new release "The 7th Hand" and his upcoming show on March 28th at Constellation in Chicago. Wilkins discusses how he developed the compositions for "The 7th Hand" and the concept of the recording where the goal is to allow the music to flow freely through the musicians almost like it is coming from another place. You have to watch to hear this fascinating concept!
Stream/Buy "The 7th Hand" at ImmanuelWilkins.com
Episode 047 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers featuring an interview with Tammy McCann talking about her new release "Do I Move You?" and her upcoming release show at Winter's Jazz Club on March 21st!
Visit TammyMcCann.com for her new release
Guitarist Donovan Mixon talks about his company Performance Ear Training which he launched during the pandemic on Around Town with Mike Jeffers. Donovan developed his ear training teaching technique while he was a professor at the Berkley College of Music. Developing the ability to play what you hear as a musician is essential to get the most out of your instrument.
Donovan Mixon, professional musician and music teacher, talks about the importance of ear training for musicians. He covers different ways to improve your ability to hear and play music accurately, including online ear training tools and exercises through his company Performance Ear Training. More information https://performanceeartraining.com/ https://www.chicagojazz.com/ for all things Chicago Jazz
Episode 046 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers features an interview with Joel Baer and Chris Parsons from the Blueshift Big Band talking about their new release "Joystick Jazz" Iconic Video Game Hits reinvented for a big band. They talk in-depth about 1980's iconic video games, the theme music for the games and why they decided to arrange the theme music for big band.
The band also has monthly residences on the 1st Thursday of each month at the Fulton Street Collective and the 2nd Monday of each month at Andy's Jazz Club.
Get more information at BlueShiftBigBand.com
chicago #podcast #musicinterviews
Episode 045 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers features an interview with pianist/composer Lara Driscoll Piano ahead of her double album release at Constellation Chicago on March 10th. Lara discusses her time studying in Montreal, composing and recording "Woven Dreams" her trio recording. She also discusses moving back to Chicago and forming her duo group "Firm Roots" with her husband Chris White.Get more info Lara's Show and Music at https://www.chicagojazz.com/post/around-town-lara-driscoll
Bonzo Squad's Corbin Andrick Music talks with Mike on Episode 043 of Around Town now out as a video and a podcast. Andrick discusses their new recording "Pachyderm" and how the band keeps expanding their sound after all these years. Currently you can hear Bonzo Squad every Thursday Night at The ALive One starting at 10:30pm.
Visit BonzoSquad.com for details on the new recording and upcoming shows.
WATCH THE EPISODE - SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
podcast #chicagojazz #musicpodcast
Jazz guitarist Charlie Ballantine discusses his new release "Falling Grace" his concepts on composing, what he gets our of touring and more on Episode 042 of Around Town with Mike Jeffers.
Visit CharlieBallantine.com for tour dates and the new recording "Falling Grace".
Watch the Full Episode at ChicagoJazz.com
Chicago Jazz Interviews on Around Town with Mike Jeffers feature stories of musicians, venue owners, promoters and music enthusiasts that keep the Chicago music scene thriving everyday.
On Episode 041 Mike interviews trumpeter Markus Rutz who talks about his new recording entitled "Storybook". Just released this month, Storybook describes key moments in Markus's life through original compositions and songs that have inspired him throughout his career.
For information about Markus Rutz and his new recording visit rutzmusicworks.com
On Episode 039 of Around Town I talked with with trumpeter Sam Robinson about his new recording "Be with Me" Live at the Eastgate Cafe. We talked about the recording process the difference between being in a studio and recording live and previewed his upcoming gigs at Constellation Chicago and Le Piano. Get more information about the gigs and Sam at https://bit.ly/SamRobinsonAroundTown
Jazz Interviews on Around Town Episode 039 features two brothers from St Louis, the Bosman Twins, that are helping to keep the Chicago Music scene alive each time they visit Chicago.
Mike Jeffers interviews Dwight and Duane Bosman for Around Town with Chicago Jazz, telling the stories of the Artists that keep Jazz alive in Chicago. Born identical twins the Bosman Twins, Dwight and Duane, have exciting and energetic sounds and personalities which helps them draw audiences throughout the country including when they visit Chicago.
Visit The Bosman Twins Website
jazzinterview #jazzpodcast #chicagopodcast #chicagomusic
Around Town Podcast - Denise Thimes talks with Mike Jeffers on Episode 038 of Around Town about her upcoming performance at Winter's Jazz Club on February 11th entitled "Love Song Serenade". They also get into a discuss about how Denise expresses the meaning of a song to an audience, her concepts on creating a set and much more.
Visit for more details denisethimes.com
Chicago Jazz and Jazz Music was part of the heart beat of the South Side of Chicago all throughout the 20th century. Margaret Murphy Webb, one of the co-founders of the South Side Jazz Coalition, is helping to bring live music and jazz back to the South Side of Chicago through partnerships and performances.
On Around Town with Mike Jeffers, Margaret talks about the South Side Jazz Coalition, the upcoming and on going performances that she is helping to present and much more!
Visit https://www.southsidejazzcoalition.org/ for More Information
Visit https://www.chicagojazz.com/ for All Things Jazz In Chicago!
chicagojazz #jazz #jazzmusic #chicago @chicagojazzmagazine
Jazz Interview with The Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Octet featuring vocalist Paul Marinaro talking about the new project "The Bowie Project". They are reinventing David Bowie's music for a jazz vocalist and ensemble in order to reach a new audience and expand the artists incredible reach.
The Bowie Project provides a fresh perspective on some of Bowie's most well-known songs, as well as giving expanding the reach of his music into a new genre of music fans. Get more information about the
Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Octet here: https://www.metropolitanjazzoctet.com/
Visit http://www.chicagojazz.com for all things Chicago Jazz
David Bloom, legendary jazz educator, composer, arranger, musician, talks jazz with Mike Jeffers, founder of Chicago Jazz Magazine, and gets in-depth about his new release "Shadow of A Soul". He feels people and artists that make an impact on music and life have a "Sheen" surrounding them in everyday life.
On his new release "Shadow of a Soul" he, along with arranger Cliff Colnot, explore this concept throughout the 15 track release.
Watch the full interview at www.chicagojazz.com
jazz #musicinterview #jazzinterview
Jazz Vocalist Spider Saloff talks with Mike Jeffers about her different techniques to engage jazz fans during performances. Spider Saloff also talks about her performance coming up in tribute to Frank Sinatra's music and life, she discusses her background and how she has learned to present jazz performances to keep her jazz audiences coming back to the shows. Get more information about all things Chicago Jazz http://www.chicagojazz.com #chicagojazz #jazz #jazzmusic @chicagojazzmagazine
On this episode of "Around Town with Chicago Jazz" Mike Jeffers talks with trumpeter Eric Jacobson about his new release "Discover" and how they recorded the it in one session.
He also talks with Mike Jeffers from Chicago Jazz Magazine about his upcoming release shows January 27th & 28th at the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge on Around Town with Chicago Jazz!
His new recording "Discover" features Eric on trumpet along with Bruce Barth - piano, Geof Bradfield - tenor sax, George Fludas - drums and Dennis Carroll - bass.
Get all the information on the show at http://www.ChicagoJazz.com
Blues and Jazz Guitarist Guy King talks with Mike Jeffers from Chicago Jazz about his latest recording "Joy is Coming" and how he collaborated with Chicago Jazz and Blues musicians and then had a few special guests including Blues Guitar Legend Joe Bonamassa.
Guy also talks about his upcoming performances at Andy's Jazz Club where he'll be performing a monthly residence at this legendary Chicago Jazz club, one of the first spots he got his start many years ago.
Mike Jeffers and Guy King also talk about his TrueFire online Masterclass series that he launched recently and that Guy's talents for soloing, composing, performing and much more.
Visit ChicagoJazz.com to see the interview and learn more a out Guy King and Chicago Jazz.
chicagojazz #jazz #interviews
Multi-Grammy/Latin Grammy Award winning drummer Mark Walker talks about his performance and Masterclass at Martyrs' on December 15th with his band Mark Walker & Friends. He also discusses his concepts on composing and arranging, recording and performing with Paquito D’Rivera and much more. Get Tickets the Masterclass at: https://bit.ly/WalkerMasterClassGet Tickets to the Performance: https://bit.ly/MWPerformance Visit www.chicagojazz.com for all things Chicago Jazz.
Brandon Goldberg talks about his performance with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra as they present A Musical Tribute to A Charlie Brown Christmas. At just 17 years old Brandon has performed at many of the countries major jazz clubs and he has released two recordings under his name. We here at Chicago Jazz Magazine hope you can attend the show and hear this young musician in person with a world class orchestra! As always thanks for watching!
Vocalist Paul Marinaro previews his new album release concert at the Studebaker Theater on November 4th at 7:30pm on Episode 015 of Around Town with Chicago Jazz hosted by Mike Jeffers
Get the NEW SINGLES from "Not Quite Yet" Here: https://paulmarinaro.bandcamp.com
Visit www.ChicagoJazz.com for all things Chicago Jazz.
Ben Rosenblum joins Mike Jeffers to preview his upcoming performance at Ravinia this weekend with his Nebula Project. Ben talks about his background, concepts on composing and arranging and incorporating all of the different genres of music he is influenced into his music.
Lowdown Brass Band founding member, Shane, talks with Chicago Jazz Magazine's Mike Jeffers about the upcoming performance at the Chicago Jazz Festival on September 2nd at the Harris Theater Rooftop from 3pm-4pm.
The Lowdown Brass Band has been together for 20 years and has evolved throughout that time from a second line street band keeping the audiences dancing to the beats into a band with a message and a purpose but still spreading their infectious grooves.
Chicago bandleader and composer Gustavo Cortiñas talks about his new recording "Kind Regards – Saludos Afectuosos" with Mike Jeffers on this episode of Around Town with Chicago Jazz Magazine.
Visit www.chicagojazz.com for all things Chicago Jazz and more.
Visit www.gustavocortinasmusic.com for more info on his new recording.
Chris Greene talks with Mike Jeffers, founder of Chicago Jazz Magazine, talk about the Chris Greene Quartet, his upcoming performances and new release.
Ethan Philion Previews "Meditations on Mingus" his new extensive recording featuring a large ensemble performing original arrangements of Charles Mingus music.
Watch the interview here
Vocalist Alyssa Allgood talks with CJM founder Mike Jeffers about her upcoming performance at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago, September 8-11, 2022. The weekend is a celebration of her birthday and the debut of new music she intends to record sometime soon.
Get all the details on everything Chicago Jazz at www.chicagojazz.com
Tickets for this weekend with Alyssa Allgood at www.jazzshowcase.com
Founder of Chicago Jazz Magazine Mike Jeffers Talks with Larry Fuller about his upcoming tribute to Ray Brown and much more on this episode of Around Town with Chicago Jazz Magazine.
Visit ChicagoJazz.com for Jazz News and Interviews
Angel Bat Dawid, vocalist and multi instrumentalist is the guest on the "The Future is Now" podcast on the Chicago Jazz Audio Experience hosted by Monica Staton.
Visit https://intlanthem.bandcamp.com/album/the-oracle for more information on her new release.
IG - angeltheoracle
Ms. Younger has an innovative approach to teaching, and works exceptionally well with students of all levels and ages. Her encouraging and supportive teaching style helps motivate students within musical style and variations. With an extensive background in classical music and jazz, Ms. Younger has an eclectic variety of musical techniques to offer.
Ms. Younger has taught at The Hartt School at the University of Hartford, Adelphi University, Nassau Community College and is currently on the faculty at The Greenwich House Music School in lower Manhattan. She also has a private studio on Long Island and Manhattan. She is the Vice President of the Long Island and Metro NYC Chapters of the American Harp Society, and presents masterclasses and workshops internationally, in which she promotes the use of harp in multi genres. She is currently accepting a limited number of new students in Manhattan and Long Island.
Johnny Iguana grew up in Philadelphia, where he studied piano from age eight and played piano and organ in blues bands from age 16. He moved to New York City at age 22, where he met one of his greatest musical heroes, Junior Wells. He was hired by Junior after auditioning live at the Boston House of Blues, and moved to Chicago in February 1994. He toured with the Junior Wells Band for three years, toured with Otis Rush and recorded with Carey (and Lurrie) Bell, Lil’ Ed and more.
Johnny went on to play on Grammy-nominated albums by Junior Wells, Chicago Blues: A Living History and the Muddy Waters 100 Band, and he played all the piano on the “Chicago Plays the Stones” album (2018). Those releases saw Johnny play on record with Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Derek Trucks, Gary Clark Jr., Johnny Winter and more. Now, after appearing on dozens of blues albums released by other artists, Johnny is set to release his debut blues-piano album as a leader in 2020 on the legendary Delmark Records label. “Johnny Iguana’s Chicago Spectacular!” features Lil’ Ed, John Primer, Billy Boy Arnold, Bob Margolin, Matthew Skoller, Billy Flynn, Kenny Smith, Bill Dickens and Michael Caskey.
Jesse Fischer is a Brooklyn-based pianist, composer, and producer. Known for his warm, soulful touch and emphasis on melody, groove, storytelling and emotion, his unique voice combines elements of his own Jewish heritage with music of the African diaspora, jazz, hip-hop, indie, and singer-songwriter genres. A two-time ASCAP Plus Award winner, Fischer has performed with many notables in the jazz, pop, and world music scenes, including Mino Cinélu, Sarah Elizabeth Charles, Becca Stevens, Grace Kelly, Lakecia Benjamin, Deva Mahal, and Takuya Kuroda. He has released several records as a leader, including Day Dreamer (Ropeadope, 2015), his Herbie Hancock/Head Hunters tribute Vein Melter (Tru Thoughts, 2015) — jointly created with producer/multi-instrumentalist Sly5thAve — and most recently, the Cross Currents EP (self-released, 2019), featuring drummer Nate Smith and saxophonist Marcus Strickland. He is also a core member of the groundbreaking Brooklyn Afro-pop/jazz fusion collective Ajoyo and producer & engineer of their sophomore release, War Chant.Fischer has brought his unique voice as a composer and bandleader to stages around the world. With over 700,000 plays on Spotify to date, his music has been featured on Spotify’s flagship editorial playlists like State of Jazz, Butter, and Fresh Finds, as well as taste-making radio shows including Gilles Peterson (BBC Radio 6), Jeremy Sole (KCRW), Miller Time with legendary bassist/producer Marcus Miller (Sirius/XM) and Wicked Jazz Sounds (Amsterdam).
Blues guitar virtuoso Nick Moss and harmonica wizard Dennis Gruenling have been on a winning streak since they first joined forces in 2016. With relentless nonstop touring and the release of their Alligator Records debut, The High Cost Of Low Living, in 2018, The Nick Moss Band Featuring Dennis Gruenling has been playing for wildly enthusiastic fans and winning over critics and radio programmers worldwide. Debuting at #3 on the Billboard Blues Chart, the album topped many 2018 “Best Of” lists. UK tastemaker magazine Mojo said, “Guitarist and singer Nick Moss shows the world his fearsome guitar chops and his complete familiarity with the great tradition of Chicago blues music. Partnered with harmonica-player Dennis Gruenling, Moss creates a two-headed monster that takes the band thundering through crisp originals.” Their self-made lucky streak continued into early 2019, when down-and-dirty guitarist Moss – a 30-year veteran of Chicago’s take-no-prisoners rough and tumble West and South Side blues clubs – won the Blues Music Award (BMA) for Traditional Blues Male Artist Of The Year. Gruenling, one on the hottest players on the scene today, took the BMA for Best Instrumentalist – Harmonica. And now, with the odds heavily in their favor, they unleash their dynamic new album, Lucky Guy!.
WEDNESDAY Master drummer Ralph Peterson continues to advance the continuum of his late mentor Art Blakey on Onward & Upward, his ambitious and expansive 25th release as a leader. On this historical release, due out September 18th, Peterson brings together 14 former Jazz Messengers and three Legacy Messengers to write a new page in the Messenger Legacy songbook. Spearheaded by Peterson, the expansive lineup on Onward & Upward features Joanne Brackeen, Kevin Eubanks, Robin Eubanks, Essiet Essiet, Steve Davis, Craig Handy, Philip Harper, Brian Lynch, Lonnie Plaxico, Bill Pierce, Melissa Slocum, Jean Touissant, Peter Washington, and, in the spirit of mentorship, rising pianists Zaccai Curtis and Anthony Wonsey and percussionist Reinaldo DeJesus. The first single "El Grito" was released on May 20th, Ralph Peterson's 58th birthday.
EVENT HORIZON JAZZ QUARTET is a Chicago-based group comprising four of the finest jazz musicians the Windy City has to offer. Reedman JIM KACZMAREK, keyboardist SCOTT MERTENS, bass player DONN DESANTO, and drummer RICK VITEK have played with some of the biggest names in jazz and pop. Their eponymous debut album is a collection of 11 original compositions written by either Kaczmarek or Mertens. The Quartet are regulars on the Chicago jazz scene. Kaczmarek is the driving force behind the band’s creation, but he emphasizes “Although Scott and I contribute our original tunes, we’re really a collective. Each band member has his own strengths and unique voice that shape every arrangement. Oftentimes, Rick or Donn will come up with an idea that largely changes and improves upon my original concept.” EVENT HORIZON is a richly textured album that encompasses a wide variety of styles and attitudes. Jim Kaczmarek and Scott Mertens are top-notch composers who deserve a wider audience. All four musicians, including Donn DeSanto and Rick Vitek, have created a joyful musical expression through the entire range of human emotions.
Brian Scarborough is a top call trombonist, improviser, composer, and educator in the greater Kansas City area. He can be seen performing around Kansas City with his own ensembles, and is a member of the People’s Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City, the Boulevard Big Band, Zen Brass, The Kansas-Nebraska Act, and is a sub for the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra. Brian has also appeared with the Fountain City Brass Band. Additionally, Brian can be seen working with musical theatre companies throughout the metropolitan area, having performed for more than 50 different productions with the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Starlight Theatre, New Theatre Restaurant, Owen/Cox Dance Group, Spinning Tree Theatre, Musical Theatre Heritage, The Chestnut Theatre, and Music Theater Kansas City, among others. He can also be seen performing for touring Broadway productions and with touring acts, such as The Temptations, when they stop in the area. Brian has also performed in jazz, classical, and chamber settings in Germany, Sweden, and England.
Chicago based bassist/composer and bandleader, Matt Ulery, has developed an instantly recognizable sound. Known for his sweeping lyricism, unconventional phrase structures, expressionistic emotionalism, Ulery’s music, from small, diverse chamber ensembles to full orchestras, is informed by the entire spectrum of jazz, classical, rock, pop, and folk– specifically American, South American, Balkan, and other European folk styles. He has been performing for 23 years on upright, electric, and brass basses. For a decade, Ulery has been the leader of his own groups and frequent collaborator. Ulery has produced and released 8 albums of all original music under his name including three recent releases of critical acclaim, “By a Little Light,” “Wake an Echo,” and “In the Ivory,” on Dave Douglas’s Greenleaf Music record label in 2012-2014 and his latest, “Festival (2016),” and “Sifting Stars (2018)” on his own label, Woolgathering Records.
Ulery earned a Master of Music degree at Depaul University and Bachelors degree in music composition at The Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University and has played in bands with Kurt Rosenwinkel, Fareed Haque, Howard Levy, Patricia Barber, Goran Ivanovic, Greg Ward, Jeff Parker, Zach Brock, Jimmy Chamberlin, Makaya McCraven, Marquis Hill and countless others. As a composer, Ulery has collaborated with diverse ensembles such as Eighth Blackbird, Miami String Quartet, New Millennium Orchestra of Chicago, Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Music Festival of Lexington, Axiom Brass, Wild Belle, and the Guimaraes (Portugal) Jazz Festival.
Surprising is the word that perhaps best describes Thana Alexa, an extraordinarily creative force in music. An awe-inspiring vocalist, composer, and arranger – for whom the voice is both a lyrical and experimental instrument – her music pushes the boundaries of the genre into new and unexplored territory with deep seeded roots in jazz and overtones of contemporary soul and world music. “...a jazz singer with a global perspective...” — The New York Times Voted a Downbeat Critic’s Poll Rising Star Vocalist for four consecutive years, Alexa is perhaps best known as the formidable vocalist and composer of her 2015 release, Ode to Heroes (Harmonia Mundi/ Jazz Village), a beautiful and poignant ode to the most influential musicians and personal heroes in her life. She toured this album to critical acclaim in the U.S. and Europe, was nominated for Best Jazz Composition by PORIN, the Croatian Music Academy (an honor equivalent to the Grammy® Awards in America), won the Alpe-Adria International Composition Competition for the title track, and was runner up in the Made in NY Jazz Competition for her arrangements.
Singer, guitarist, and songwriter, Jimmy Burns is a contemporary bluesman who combines his Delta roots with R&B and soul to come up with a sound uniquely his own. Burns is a charismatic performer with an expressive, soulful, voice and a melodic guitar style to match. With a keen sense of his musical heritage Burns has created an upbeat style that has won critical acclaim both at home and abroad.
Born near Dublin, Mississippi in 1943, Burns was fascinated by music early on. He loved the sounds coming out of the church, and the blues he heard on the streets. Burns’ sang in church and taught himself how to play guitar while he was still in the Delta. One of his particular favorites was Lightnin’ Hopkins, His oldest brother, renowned Detroit bluesman Eddie Burns, is also a guitarist who played with John Lee Hooker for a number of years before striking out on his own.
Jeannie Tanner is a singer-songwriter and trumpeter who performs and records her original music - a mix of jazz, pop, R&B and Latin rhythms. She has earned six ASCAP Composer Awards and has seven Grammy-considered albums. Her album WORDS & MUSIC was named by the Chicago Tribune as one of the Best of 2017 (top 10). “I’m reminded of what we call standards," explained Jason Marck of NPR in describing Tanner's writing style. "That’s not just Tin Pan Alley with your Gershwins, Porter, your Rodgers and Hart; I also hear Brill Building influences like Mann & Weil, King & Goffin and Bacharach & David…” Ms. Tanner’s songs have been featured in many television shows and movies including “Culinary Travels with Dave Eckert” (PBS/The Travel Channel), “Revenge” (ABC), “Single Ladies” (VH1 - produced by Queen Latifah) “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” (Bravo), “Young and the Restless” (CBS) and many Hallmark holiday movies including “Christmas Cookies” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered for Christmas.” She is proud to be signed to Heavy Hitters Music in L.A. And, her music can be heard on local, national and international radio via traditional stations, Sirius XM and on the internet where she has her own Pandora station. Tanner has performed in the Chicago area for 15 years, doing public and private gigs 5-7 nights a week at venues including headlining at Andy's Jazz Club, Winter's Jazz Club, the Skokie Theatre and Davenport's Piano Bar. She plays solo, duo, trio and with her quartet - depending on the needs of the club owners/clients. These days, Tanner is composing, recording in her home studio and working on new projects with Abigail Riccards - including their weekly Facebook Live-streams together. They've been doing their DESPERATE MEASURES MUSIC SERIES: 2 Voices/2 Pianos since mid-March. Tanner has been excited to blend her voice with Abby's every week singing harmonies, playing piano, some trumpet and a little percussion. Abby & Jeannie have a great time - just two friends making music, sharing laughs and telling stories about their lives. Chicago musician Abigail Riccards has made an international name for herself in the jazz and pop music community for nearly 20 years. After launching her career in New York City in 2002 at storied clubs like Birdland, the Jazz Standard, Smalls, and the Kitano, she continued to garner praise as a selected semifinalist in the 2004 Thelonius Monk International Jazz Competition. After nearly a decade on the east coast, Riccards broadened her scope to the iconic Chicago jazz scene, where she frequently headlines legendary clubs such as the Green Mill, the Jazz Showcase and Winter’s Jazz Club. After releasing her 3rd studio album in 2013, she performed on the main stage at the Chicago Jazz Festival with Matt Wilson’s Honey and Salt tour. She has also collaborated with artists such as Jane Monheit, Peter Bernstein, Joel Frahm and Mulgrew Miller. Her live engagements have been met with generous praise from top critics. The Chicago Tribune’s Howard Reich referred to her as “a breath of fresh air...possessing a textured but radiant quality” and Christopher Loudon from JazzTimes said “Abigail Riccards has mastered the increasingly dangerous art of making less, more. Think Doris Day with Anita O'Day jazz smarts."
A charismatic and dynamic saxophonist and bandleader, Lakecia Benjamin fuses traditional conceptions of Jazz, HipHop, and Soul. Benjamin's electric presence and fiery sax work has shared stages with several legendary artists, including Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, The Roots, and Macy Gray. As the bandleader of Lakecia Benjamin and Soul Squad, she melds the vintage sounds of James Brown, Maceo Parker, Sly and the Family Stone, and the Meters with soaring, dance-floor worthy rhythms. Benjamin's grooves take the classic vibe to a whole new level with sultry alto saxophone creating something special on every cut - be it a smoldering late-night ambiance, or a forceful jazz intensity, or even the tight funk multi-horn harmony sections. A streetwise New York City native born and raised in Washington Heights, Lakecia Benjamin first picked up the saxophone at Fiorello LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts. From there she joined the renowned jazz program at New York's New School University. However, even at that early stage, Benjamin was already playing with renowned jazz figures like Clark Terry and Reggie Workman, which introduced her to opportunities to play and tour with an array of artists such as Rashied Ali, the David Murray Big Band, Vanessa Rubin and James "Blood" Ulmer. With her deep jazz roots, she was soon in demand as an arranger and horn section leader, landing stints with such acclaimed artists as Anita Baker.
Currently Lakecia Benjamin's latest album "Pursuance" is an intergenerational masterpiece that takes one on a journey through the lineage of the music with the works of John and Alice Coltrane. Benjamin pays homage to those who have come before by featuring innovative bandleaders of her generation, such as, Reggie Workman (Coproducer and playing ), Ron carter , Gary Bartz, Dee Dee Bridegwater, Meshell Ndegecello, Regina carter, Bertha Hope, Last poets, Greg Osby, Steve Wilson, John Benitez, Marc Cary, Marcus Gilmore, Keyon Harrold, Marcus Strickland, Brandee Younger, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and Jazzmeia Horn.
After describing her brilliant voice as a perfect mix of Nancy, Sassy, and Lady Day, it came only naturally that the late legendary jazz trumpeter Clark Terry would, at New York’s historical Flushing Town Hall, select Denise Thimes as that night’s featured vocalist. This truly unique and inspirational artist is often asked by fellow noteworthy musicians “why haven’t we heard of you”? Not to worry. With a voice as noticeably (as Terry puts it) “ranks with all of the greats,” it won’t be long.
Over the course of a multi-faceted career spanning just a little under 3 decades, Thimes is no stranger to the music world, growing up in a home surrounded by all types of music from her father & radio icon, the late Lou “Fatha” Thimes.
Thimes has performed with such jazz notables as Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra,(St. Louis, MO) the late Clark Terry(The Blue Note-NY), Dr. Billy Taylor, Earl May, Benny Powell,(Flushing Town Hall) and James Moody(Blue Note-NY). She has also graced the stage with the likes of Houston Person, Jimmy&Tootie Heath, Bobby McFerrin, and Bucky Pizzarelli.
In childhood, Williams and his half-brother James "Pookie" Young received encouragement and tutelage from their uncle, the blues guitarist, songwriter and recording artist J. B. Hutto, and by 1975 the half-siblings had formed the first version of the Blues Imperials. Since 1989, the band's lineup has been Williams (lead guitar and vocals), Michael Garrett (rhythm guitar and vocals), James Young (bass) and Kelly Littleton (drums). Living Blues magazine described the band as "Rough-and-ready South and West Side blues...Ed's swirling, snarling slide guitar work can be riveting, and The Imperials pound out blues-rock riffs and rhythms behind him as if they're overdosing on boogie juice." Guitar Player called the band "a snarling boogie-blues machine." A decade later, Alligator Records offered them the chance to record a track, "Young Thing", for a compilation album, New Bluebloods (1987). Producer and label owner Bruce Iglauer encouraged them to record additional material, and they cut a full album's worth of material at that session, released as Roughhousin' (1986). They then appeared at music festivals and toured widely. Their second album, Chicken, Gravy & Biscuits, was released in 1989, and their third, What You See Is What You Get, in 1992. At this point the group disbanded. Williams issued two solo albums, Keep On Walking, on which he was joined by Dave Weld, a former member of the Blues Imperials, and Who's Been Talking (1998), pairing Williams with Willie Kent. In 1999 the release of Get Wild marked the group's reunion. It was followed by Heads Up (2002), Rattleshake (2006), Full Tilt (2008) and Jump Start (2012). Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials have appeared multiple times at the Chicago Blues Festival and festivals and clubs around the world. In June 2008, Williams played on Magic Slim's album Midnight Blues. In June 2009, Williams was a guest on the radio quiz show Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!, produced by Chicago Public Radio and National Public Radio, Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials have been nominated for eight Blues Music Awards as Band of the Year and have won that award twice.
Musician, Composer, Bandleader, Educator and Activist Roxy Coss has performed around the world, headlining at the Newport Jazz Festival, Melbourne Big Band Festival, NYC Winter JazzFest, Earshot Jazz Festival, San Jose Jazz Summerfest, Jazz Standard, and Jazz Showcase. A recipient of an ASCAP Young Jazz Composer Award, the Downbeat Critics’ Poll listed her as a "Rising Star" on Soprano Saxophone the past six years, called her "An exceptional young talent”, and Jazziz Magazine listed her an “Artist to Watch in 2019”. She has performed as a side musician with Clark Terry, Billy Kaye, Maurice Hines, Rufus Reid, Louis Hayes, Claudio Roditi, Willie Jones III, Jeremy Pelt, Darcy James Argue, and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra. Her fourth album as a leader, The Future Is Female (Posi-Tone Records), received 4.5-Star reviews from Downbeat and All About Jazz. The Roxy Coss Quintet, featuring some of the world’s finest young musicians, is the first ever recipient of the Emerging Artist Project, a four-year grant from the Local 802 Musicians Union. Roxy is on the Board of Directors for the Jazz Education Network, is on Jazz Faculty at The Juilliard School, The New School, BMCC (A CUNY College), and is the Founder of Women In Jazz Organization (WIJO). Roxy is an endorsing Artist for P. Mauriat, Vandoren, and Key Leaves.
Bassist Michael Olatuja releases Lagos Pepper Soup: his spectacular blend of West African Afrobeats and jazz, backed by a string orchestra, arranged by iconic film music arranger Dave Metzger, the top orchestrator for Disney, with an International All-Star cast featuring: Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reeves, Brandee Younger, Lionel Loueke, Regina Carter, Joe Lovano, Laura Mvula, Gregoire Maret, and Becca Stevens. The London-born, Lagos, Nigeria-raised, New York-based electric and acoustic bassist/composer/bandleader Michael Olatuja has been one of the most inventive and in-demand bassists since the early part of this century. He’s worked and recorded with one hundred artists, from Terence Blanchard, Kurt Elling and Jose James to Stevie Wonder, Shakira, and Bebe Winans, and recorded two CD’s as a leader, Speak (2009), which the website All About Jazz proclaimed was “a propulsive and pleasing record,” and The Promise by The Olatuja Project - a duo with Alicia Olatuja (2011). Nearly five years in the making, Olatuja’s new, twelve-track CD, Lagos Pepper Soup, named after a zesty, West African meal, with lyrics mostly in Yoruba and English, and recorded in London and New York, is his most comprehensive and compelling album to date.
First-call drummer Rudy Royston (Bill Frisell, JD Allen, Dave Douglas) has honed a thoroughly engaging voice as a composer and bandleader. His releases include his compelling debut '303' (2014), the raw and bracing trio follow-up 'Rise of Orion' (2016) and the chamber quintet release 'Flatbed Buggy' (2018).
Kenny Smith was unquestionably born into blues royalty. He grew up in the same house where Muddy Waters once lived in Chicago, the home of the blues. Throughout his childhood, Kenny was surrounded by Muddy and his friends, which included his own father, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith (1936-2011). These same blues icons helped mold him into the person and drummer he is today and later in life asked him to provide his famous backbeat on some of the largest and most respected stages and recordings in the world. Kenny has played thousands of live performances to date and has earned the right to wear that royal blues crown. His father, Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, played drums for the Muddy Waters’ Band in the early 1960’s and then again from 1968 through 1980 and was featured on all of Muddy’s Grammy winning albums. Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith, one of the best known living blues drummers today, learned 99% of what he knows about drumming from his father and was also inspired by acclaimed drummers: Odie Payne, Fred Below, Earl Phillips, Louie Bellson, S.P. Leary, Francis Clay and Art Blakey, Sonny Payne, Clifton James and many others who paved the way. And with those experiences Kenny has revitalized and created new interpretations of the blues drummers as he pushes blues drumming to new innovative and tradition styles.