Isaiah Collier is a Chicago native, born and raised on the city’s South Side. A composer, arranger, educator, and self-described “Sonic Scientist,” he has quickly emerged as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary jazz, earning recognition from some of the world’s most prestigious institutions and publications. Collier’s honors include being named a Steve Jobs Archive Fellow, Chicagoan of the Year in Jazz (2024), and a DownBeat Magazine cover artist. His music has been praised by The New York Times, which listed his albums among the year’s best, and his groundbreaking suite The Story of 400 Years was featured on NPR’s Jazz Night in America. He has also been recognized in the DownBeat Critics Poll and as Up and Coming Artist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association. He is a maverick of sound, always studying to arrive at true innovation. Collier makes himself at home in any musical terrain—an exceedingly rare quality in any generation. His passion shines through every instrument and every composition, as he continually revisits and reviews the ever-growing history of Black creative music. Known for fusing the depth of jazz traditions with the urgency of the present moment, Collier has been described as a force of creativity and improvisation. His collaborators include a wide spectrum of jazz luminaries: Kahil El’Zabar, Ambrose Akinmusire, Craig Taborn, Joe Dyson, The Headhunters, Terresa Griffin, William Parker, Azar Lawrence, NEA Jazz Masters Billy Hart, Marshall Allen, and Denardo Coleman, as well as Nicole Mitchell, Randy Brecker, Billy Harper, Marquis Hill, and Makaya McCraven. He also leads his own acclaimed ensemble, The Chosen Few. A proud member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), Collier stands firmly in Chicago’s rich tenor saxophone tradition while charting bold new directions. DownBeat Magazine has hailed him as “The Next Sax Giant”—a title that reflects his singular role in shaping the sound of modern jazz. 

Isaiah Collier is a Chicago native, born and raised on the city’s South Side. A composer, arranger, educator, and self-described “Sonic Scientist,” he has quickly emerged as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary jazz, earning recognition from some of the world’s most prestigious institutions and publications. Collier’s honors include being named a Steve Jobs Archive Fellow, Chicagoan of the Year in Jazz (2024), and a DownBeat Magazine cover artist. His music has been praised by The New York Times, which listed his albums among the year’s best, and his groundbreaking suite The Story of 400 Years was featured on NPR’s Jazz Night in America. He has also been recognized in the DownBeat Critics Poll and as Up and Coming Artist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association. He is a maverick of sound, always studying to arrive at true innovation. Collier makes himself at home in any musical terrain—an exceedingly rare quality in any generation. His passion shines through every instrument and every composition, as he continually revisits and reviews the ever-growing history of Black creative music. Known for fusing the depth of jazz traditions with the urgency of the present moment, Collier has been described as a force of creativity and improvisation. His collaborators include a wide spectrum of jazz luminaries: Kahil El’Zabar, Ambrose Akinmusire, Craig Taborn, Joe Dyson, The Headhunters, Terresa Griffin, William Parker, Azar Lawrence, NEA Jazz Masters Billy Hart, Marshall Allen, and Denardo Coleman, as well as Nicole Mitchell, Randy Brecker, Billy Harper, Marquis Hill, and Makaya McCraven. He also leads his own acclaimed ensemble, The Chosen Few. A proud member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), Collier stands firmly in Chicago’s rich tenor saxophone tradition while charting bold new directions. DownBeat Magazine has hailed him as “The Next Sax Giant”—a title that reflects his singular role in shaping the sound of modern jazz. 

John Wojciechowski Quartet with special guest Albert Einstein Gymnasium Big Band (or A.E.G.) from Boblingen, Germany 

Bob Lark is recognized regionally, nationally and internationally as a contemporary jazz educator and performer of integrity. His approach to pedagogy and rehearsal techniques has been noted by participation in professional conferences; publication of articles; compact disc recordings as both a performer and ensemble director; and the direction of numerous student honors ensembles. Down Beat magazine recognized Bob’s work in 2010 with their Jazz Education Achievement Award. In speaking of Lark, jazz icon Clark Terry stated, “He’s a very good trumpet player, a very good musician. He’s paid his dues.” Recordings on the Jazzed Media label include those by The Bob Lark/Phil Woods Quintet, Bob Lark and his Alumni Big Band, and Bob Lark and Friends, with Phil Woods, Rufus Reid, and Jim McNeely. Bob’s playing and writing are also featured on the CD recordings Until You and First Steps on the Hallway label. He is an exclusive Yamaha Performing Artist. Bob is an active clinician, soloist and guest conductor.He has served as host for the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition, is the past-president of the Illinois Unit of the International Association for Jazz Education, and has chaired the International Trumpet Guild jazz improvisation competition.For thirty-one years, Dr. Lark served as Professor of Music and Director of Jazz studies at DePaul University, in Chicago. Currently, Bob is the Director of Jazz Studies at Valparaiso University in Indiana.He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in performance from the University of North Texas, having earlier earned a Master’s degree from that school, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from The Ohio State University. 

The Harry Allen/Andy Brown Quartet brings together two masters of straight-ahead jazz with a deep and enduring musical connection. Tenor saxophonist Harry Allen is internationally celebrated for his warm tone, impeccable swing, and lyrical phrasing. With over 70 albums as a leader and collaborations with legends like Tony Bennett and John Pizzarelli, Allen is widely regarded as one of the premier tenor players of his generation. Jazz writer Gene Lees once wrote: “Stan Getz was once asked his idea of the perfect tenor saxophone soloist. His answer was, ‘My technique, Al Cohn's ideas, and Zoot's time.’ The fulfillment of that ideal may well be embodied in... Harry Allen.” Andy Brown, a Chicago-based guitarist, is admired for his refined, melodic playing and deep knowledge of the jazz guitar tradition. A protégé of legendary Cincinnati guitarists Kenny Poole and Cal Collins, Brown has carved out a distinctive voice on the instrument, equally at home in solo guitar settings or as a sensitive accompanist. He has released several well-regarded CDs, including three for the famed Delmark label, and is a mainstay of the Chicago jazz scene. Allen and Brown have collaborated for close to twenty years, performing regularly in New York, Chicago, and beyond. Their quartet, rooted in the Great American Songbook, blends elegance, swing, and nuanced musical chemistry. Recent studio collaborations between the two musicians have yielded fresh material and original compositions, including the 2025 release “Weary,” now available on streaming platforms. 

The Harry Allen/Andy Brown Quartet brings together two masters of straight-ahead jazz with a deep and enduring musical connection. Tenor saxophonist Harry Allen is internationally celebrated for his warm tone, impeccable swing, and lyrical phrasing. With over 70 albums as a leader and collaborations with legends like Tony Bennett and John Pizzarelli, Allen is widely regarded as one of the premier tenor players of his generation. Jazz writer Gene Lees once wrote: “Stan Getz was once asked his idea of the perfect tenor saxophone soloist. His answer was, ‘My technique, Al Cohn's ideas, and Zoot's time.’ The fulfillment of that ideal may well be embodied in... Harry Allen.” Andy Brown, a Chicago-based guitarist, is admired for his refined, melodic playing and deep knowledge of the jazz guitar tradition. A protégé of legendary Cincinnati guitarists Kenny Poole and Cal Collins, Brown has carved out a distinctive voice on the instrument, equally at home in solo guitar settings or as a sensitive accompanist. He has released several well-regarded CDs, including three for the famed Delmark label, and is a mainstay of the Chicago jazz scene. Allen and Brown have collaborated for close to twenty years, performing regularly in New York, Chicago, and beyond. Their quartet, rooted in the Great American Songbook, blends elegance, swing, and nuanced musical chemistry. Recent studio collaborations between the two musicians have yielded fresh material and original compositions, including the 2025 release “Weary,” now available on streaming platforms. 

The Harry Allen/Andy Brown Quartet brings together two masters of straight-ahead jazz with a deep and enduring musical connection. Tenor saxophonist Harry Allen is internationally celebrated for his warm tone, impeccable swing, and lyrical phrasing. With over 70 albums as a leader and collaborations with legends like Tony Bennett and John Pizzarelli, Allen is widely regarded as one of the premier tenor players of his generation. Jazz writer Gene Lees once wrote: “Stan Getz was once asked his idea of the perfect tenor saxophone soloist. His answer was, ‘My technique, Al Cohn's ideas, and Zoot's time.’ The fulfillment of that ideal may well be embodied in... Harry Allen.” Andy Brown, a Chicago-based guitarist, is admired for his refined, melodic playing and deep knowledge of the jazz guitar tradition. A protégé of legendary Cincinnati guitarists Kenny Poole and Cal Collins, Brown has carved out a distinctive voice on the instrument, equally at home in solo guitar settings or as a sensitive accompanist. He has released several well-regarded CDs, including three for the famed Delmark label, and is a mainstay of the Chicago jazz scene. Allen and Brown have collaborated for close to twenty years, performing regularly in New York, Chicago, and beyond. Their quartet, rooted in the Great American Songbook, blends elegance, swing, and nuanced musical chemistry. Recent studio collaborations between the two musicians have yielded fresh material and original compositions, including the 2025 release “Weary,” now available on streaming platforms. 

The Harry Allen/Andy Brown Quartet brings together two masters of straight-ahead jazz with a deep and enduring musical connection. Tenor saxophonist Harry Allen is internationally celebrated for his warm tone, impeccable swing, and lyrical phrasing. With over 70 albums as a leader and collaborations with legends like Tony Bennett and John Pizzarelli, Allen is widely regarded as one of the premier tenor players of his generation. Jazz writer Gene Lees once wrote: “Stan Getz was once asked his idea of the perfect tenor saxophone soloist. His answer was, ‘My technique, Al Cohn's ideas, and Zoot's time.’ The fulfillment of that ideal may well be embodied in... Harry Allen.” Andy Brown, a Chicago-based guitarist, is admired for his refined, melodic playing and deep knowledge of the jazz guitar tradition. A protégé of legendary Cincinnati guitarists Kenny Poole and Cal Collins, Brown has carved out a distinctive voice on the instrument, equally at home in solo guitar settings or as a sensitive accompanist. He has released several well-regarded CDs, including three for the famed Delmark label, and is a mainstay of the Chicago jazz scene. Allen and Brown have collaborated for close to twenty years, performing regularly in New York, Chicago, and beyond. Their quartet, rooted in the Great American Songbook, blends elegance, swing, and nuanced musical chemistry. Recent studio collaborations between the two musicians have yielded fresh material and original compositions, including the 2025 release “Weary,” now available on streaming platforms. 

The Diego Rodriguez Big Band (DRBB) is a contemporary large jazz ensemble that debuted in Chicago in December 2022. Led by drummer Diego Rodgriguez, the DRBB honors the legacy of Black American Music with a repertoire that includes Post-Bop, R&B and Latin influences.  Featuring original compositions and unique arrangements, the ensemble brings a fresh, dynamic sound to the Chicago jazz scene.  This close-knit band of young talent shares a deep connection that resonates in their performances. The DRBB has collaborated with acclaimed musicians such as Marques Carroll, Abigail Riccards, Tom Garling & Kellin Hanas.  They’re preparing to release their debut album, and have upcoming performance at schools to inspire future musicians. 

Petra's Recession Seven: Petra van Nuis - vocals Art Davis - trumpet Eric Schneider - reeds Russ Phillips - trombone Andy Brown - guitar Dan DeLorenzo - bass Bob Rummage - drums At the start of the Great Recession in September 2008, Petra's Recession Seven, an authentic Chicago-style jazz band was born at Chicago's legendary Green Mill. The seven piece ensemble is led by Petra van Nuis, a vocalist praised by the Chicago Tribune for her "interpretive savvy...light-and-silvery vocals and, better still, saucy manner of delivery that emphasizes the art of the double entendre." Petra's Recession Seven features a front line of all-star internationally known Chicago veteran horn players. Trombonist Russ Phillips grew up "in the wings" listening to his dad, Russ Phillips Sr. play trombone in Louis Armstrong's All-Stars. Russ Jr. decided to follow in his dad's footsteps, and in addition to Chicago performances is a popular fixture on mainstream jazz festivals and cruises. Reedist Eric Schneider began his early career as a member of the bands of Count Basie and Earl Fatha Hines. Since then, Eric has played with many legends including Benny Goodman, Tony Bennett, Dizzy Gillespie and Ella Fitzgerald and continues to be one of the busiest working musicians in Chicago. Trumpeter Art Davis is charter member of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra and a highly respected jazz educator. Early in his career, Art toured with Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra and Rosemary Clooney and continues to be the top call trumpeter for musicians touring through Chicago. The swinging rhythm section of bassist Dan Delorenzo and drummer Bob Rummage is led by guitarist Andy Brown, recognized in Downbeat Magazine's annual critics poll as a “rising star.” In their hometown of Chicago, Petra's Recession Seven is a big hit at the Jazz Showcase, the Green Mill, Andy's Jazz Club, Winter's Jazz Club and Fitzgerald's. Festival performances include the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Cedar Basin Jazz Festival, the Juvae Jazz Festival and the American Music Festival. Regionally, the Recession Seven has played jazz societies including the Madison Jazz Society, the Starr-Gennett Foundation, the Illiana Jazz Club, the "Masters of Swing" series at Cincinnati's Xavier University, the Lafayette Jazz Club and the Indianapolis Jazz Club. The American Rag, in a review of the band's 2011 on location recording "Live In Chicago" praises “a killer of a band that grabs your attention and doesn't give it back until they are finished playing." www.petrasings.com 

Bob Lark is recognized regionally, nationally and internationally as a contemporary jazz educator and performer of integrity. His approach to pedagogy and rehearsal techniques has been noted by participation in professional conferences; publication of articles; compact disc recordings as both a performer and ensemble director; and the direction of numerous student honors ensembles. Down Beat magazine recognized Bob’s work in 2010 with their Jazz Education Achievement Award. In speaking of Lark, jazz icon Clark Terry stated, “He’s a very good trumpet player, a very good musician. He’s paid his dues.” Recordings on the Jazzed Media label include those by The Bob Lark/Phil Woods Quintet, Bob Lark and his Alumni Big Band, and Bob Lark and Friends, with Phil Woods, Rufus Reid, and Jim McNeely. Bob’s playing and writing are also featured on the CD recordings Until You and First Steps on the Hallway label. He is an exclusive Yamaha Performing Artist. Bob is an active clinician, soloist and guest conductor.He has served as host for the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition, is the past-president of the Illinois Unit of the International Association for Jazz Education, and has chaired the International Trumpet Guild jazz improvisation competition.For thirty-one years, Dr. Lark served as Professor of Music and Director of Jazz studies at DePaul University, in Chicago. Currently, Bob is the Director of Jazz Studies at Valparaiso University in Indiana.He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in performance from the University of North Texas, having earlier earned a Master’s degree from that school, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from The Ohio State University. 

Mike Stern - guitar Leni Stern - guitar Bob Franceschini - saxophone Juan Chiavassa - drums Noam Tanzer - bass One of the great jazz guitarists of his generation, Mike Stern has the unique ability to play with the finesse and lyricism of Jim Hall, the driving swing of Wes Montgomery and the turbulent, overdriven attack of Jimi Hendrix. Growing up in the Washington, D.C. area, Stern revered all three of those guitar immortals, along with such potent blues guitarists as Albert and B.B. King. Aspects of those seminal influences can be heard in his playing on the 18 recordings he has released as a leader or in his acclaimed sideman work for Miles Davis, Billy Cobham, the Brecker Brothers, Jaco Pastorius, Steps Ahead, David Sanborn, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Joe Henderson and the all-star Four Generations of Miles band. 

Mike Stern - guitar Leni Stern - guitar Bob Franceschini - saxophone Juan Chiavassa - drums Noam Tanzer - bass One of the great jazz guitarists of his generation, Mike Stern has the unique ability to play with the finesse and lyricism of Jim Hall, the driving swing of Wes Montgomery and the turbulent, overdriven attack of Jimi Hendrix. Growing up in the Washington, D.C. area, Stern revered all three of those guitar immortals, along with such potent blues guitarists as Albert and B.B. King. Aspects of those seminal influences can be heard in his playing on the 18 recordings he has released as a leader or in his acclaimed sideman work for Miles Davis, Billy Cobham, the Brecker Brothers, Jaco Pastorius, Steps Ahead, David Sanborn, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Joe Henderson and the all-star Four Generations of Miles band. 

Mike Stern - guitar Leni Stern - guitar Bob Franceschini - saxophone Juan Chiavassa - drums Noam Tanzer - bass One of the great jazz guitarists of his generation, Mike Stern has the unique ability to play with the finesse and lyricism of Jim Hall, the driving swing of Wes Montgomery and the turbulent, overdriven attack of Jimi Hendrix. Growing up in the Washington, D.C. area, Stern revered all three of those guitar immortals, along with such potent blues guitarists as Albert and B.B. King. Aspects of those seminal influences can be heard in his playing on the 18 recordings he has released as a leader or in his acclaimed sideman work for Miles Davis, Billy Cobham, the Brecker Brothers, Jaco Pastorius, Steps Ahead, David Sanborn, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Joe Henderson and the all-star Four Generations of Miles band. 

Mike Stern - guitar Leni Stern - guitar Bob Franceschini - saxophone Juan Chiavassa - drums Noam Tanzer - bass One of the great jazz guitarists of his generation, Mike Stern has the unique ability to play with the finesse and lyricism of Jim Hall, the driving swing of Wes Montgomery and the turbulent, overdriven attack of Jimi Hendrix. Growing up in the Washington, D.C. area, Stern revered all three of those guitar immortals, along with such potent blues guitarists as Albert and B.B. King. Aspects of those seminal influences can be heard in his playing on the 18 recordings he has released as a leader or in his acclaimed sideman work for Miles Davis, Billy Cobham, the Brecker Brothers, Jaco Pastorius, Steps Ahead, David Sanborn, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Joe Henderson and the all-star Four Generations of Miles band. 

Gabriel Wade - Trumpet Jared Schultz - Alto and Tenor Saxophone Isaiah Jones Jr. - Piano  Nat Lin - Bass Sid Smith IV - Drums Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Gabriel Wade is a trumpeter, pianist, and educator who has been surrounded by music all his life. He has had the opportunity to play with the Count Basie Orchestra, Cab Calloway Orchestra, Clif Wallace Big Band, Evon J. Sams Quintet/Sextet/Nonet, Reginald Lewis Quintet, and the Marlene Rosenberg Quartet. As a sideman, he has performed at notable venues and festivals such as Andy's Jazz Club, the Elmhurst Jazz Festival, the Chicago Jazz Festival, and the Jazz Showcase.  As a bandleader, he has performed at various locations in the central and southeastern Arkansas area, as well as in the northern Illinois area and at Fulton Street Collective and Angelo's Wine Bar in Chicago, Illinois. Recently, he qualified as a semifinalist in the Jazz Improvisation Division for the International Trumpet Guild's 2024 Ryan Anthony Memorial Trumpet Competition and earned first place in the 2024 Tom Williams Jazz Division of the National Trumpet Competition. 

Carlos Vega - Sax Victor Garcia - Trumpet Whitney Ashe - Piano Matt Hughes - Bass Leon Anderson - Drums 

“Keyon Harrold is the future of the trumpet”- Downbeat Magazine An inventive, multidisciplinary, genre-fluid artist; trumpeter and vocalist; a composer, arranger, and platinum music producer; bandleader and major recording artist (The Mugician-Sony "The Mugician") and currently with Concord Jazz “Keyon Harrold Is Equal Parts Music” - Billboard Musically, Harrold lives by the notion that the only thing that identifies a genre is its beat. That belief has allowed harrold to tear down the walls of the genre to roam music freely. There are only 12 notes, so he pours his soul into every musical situation, be it performing live, recording, or composing for television and film. “Keyon Harrold carries a natural swagger that is not misplaced: he’s a compelling communicator and commanding trumpeter.” The magic of his performance is the accomplishment of a quintet that resonates as both accomplished and raw, the seeking of new challenges...” -Love Supreme Festival. Harrold’s career is a spectrum of greatness. From touring and recording with Jay-z and Cirque Du Soleil to being signed by legendary Rapper Nas (Mass Appeal) and writing the theme song for The Queen Latifah’s Show. Harrold is a first-call artist with feature credits with Keith Richards, Black Pumas, Mac Miller (Stay), and Nas (The Jarreau of Rap) and Harrold’s latest collaboration with UK crooner Samm Henshaw ( Still Broke). Keyon is a frequent collaborator with YEBBA, Robert Glasper, Maxwell, Common, PJ Morton, and Gregory Porter. Harrold is the new Artistic Advisor for Jazz St.Louis He is an activist for social justice and equality. 

“Keyon Harrold is the future of the trumpet”- Downbeat Magazine An inventive, multidisciplinary, genre-fluid artist; trumpeter and vocalist; a composer, arranger, and platinum music producer; bandleader and major recording artist (The Mugician-Sony "The Mugician") and currently with Concord Jazz “Keyon Harrold Is Equal Parts Music” - Billboard Musically, Harrold lives by the notion that the only thing that identifies a genre is its beat. That belief has allowed harrold to tear down the walls of the genre to roam music freely. There are only 12 notes, so he pours his soul into every musical situation, be it performing live, recording, or composing for television and film. “Keyon Harrold carries a natural swagger that is not misplaced: he’s a compelling communicator and commanding trumpeter.” The magic of his performance is the accomplishment of a quintet that resonates as both accomplished and raw, the seeking of new challenges...” -Love Supreme Festival. Harrold’s career is a spectrum of greatness. From touring and recording with Jay-z and Cirque Du Soleil to being signed by legendary Rapper Nas (Mass Appeal) and writing the theme song for The Queen Latifah’s Show. Harrold is a first-call artist with feature credits with Keith Richards, Black Pumas, Mac Miller (Stay), and Nas (The Jarreau of Rap) and Harrold’s latest collaboration with UK crooner Samm Henshaw ( Still Broke). Keyon is a frequent collaborator with YEBBA, Robert Glasper, Maxwell, Common, PJ Morton, and Gregory Porter. Harrold is the new Artistic Advisor for Jazz St.Louis He is an activist for social justice and equality. 

“Keyon Harrold is the future of the trumpet”- Downbeat Magazine An inventive, multidisciplinary, genre-fluid artist; trumpeter and vocalist; a composer, arranger, and platinum music producer; bandleader and major recording artist (The Mugician-Sony "The Mugician") and currently with Concord Jazz “Keyon Harrold Is Equal Parts Music” - Billboard Musically, Harrold lives by the notion that the only thing that identifies a genre is its beat. That belief has allowed harrold to tear down the walls of the genre to roam music freely. There are only 12 notes, so he pours his soul into every musical situation, be it performing live, recording, or composing for television and film. “Keyon Harrold carries a natural swagger that is not misplaced: he’s a compelling communicator and commanding trumpeter.” The magic of his performance is the accomplishment of a quintet that resonates as both accomplished and raw, the seeking of new challenges...” -Love Supreme Festival. Harrold’s career is a spectrum of greatness. From touring and recording with Jay-z and Cirque Du Soleil to being signed by legendary Rapper Nas (Mass Appeal) and writing the theme song for The Queen Latifah’s Show. Harrold is a first-call artist with feature credits with Keith Richards, Black Pumas, Mac Miller (Stay), and Nas (The Jarreau of Rap) and Harrold’s latest collaboration with UK crooner Samm Henshaw ( Still Broke). Keyon is a frequent collaborator with YEBBA, Robert Glasper, Maxwell, Common, PJ Morton, and Gregory Porter. Harrold is the new Artistic Advisor for Jazz St.Louis He is an activist for social justice and equality. 

“Keyon Harrold is the future of the trumpet”- Downbeat Magazine An inventive, multidisciplinary, genre-fluid artist; trumpeter and vocalist; a composer, arranger, and platinum music producer; bandleader and major recording artist (The Mugician-Sony "The Mugician") and currently with Concord Jazz “Keyon Harrold Is Equal Parts Music” - Billboard Musically, Harrold lives by the notion that the only thing that identifies a genre is its beat. That belief has allowed harrold to tear down the walls of the genre to roam music freely. There are only 12 notes, so he pours his soul into every musical situation, be it performing live, recording, or composing for television and film. “Keyon Harrold carries a natural swagger that is not misplaced: he’s a compelling communicator and commanding trumpeter.” The magic of his performance is the accomplishment of a quintet that resonates as both accomplished and raw, the seeking of new challenges...” -Love Supreme Festival. Harrold’s career is a spectrum of greatness. From touring and recording with Jay-z and Cirque Du Soleil to being signed by legendary Rapper Nas (Mass Appeal) and writing the theme song for The Queen Latifah’s Show. Harrold is a first-call artist with feature credits with Keith Richards, Black Pumas, Mac Miller (Stay), and Nas (The Jarreau of Rap) and Harrold’s latest collaboration with UK crooner Samm Henshaw ( Still Broke). Keyon is a frequent collaborator with YEBBA, Robert Glasper, Maxwell, Common, PJ Morton, and Gregory Porter. Harrold is the new Artistic Advisor for Jazz St.Louis He is an activist for social justice and equality. 

Grammy Award-winning bassist Christian Dillingham is equally at home in two musical worlds. His parents spun jazz records around the house, while his mother was an avid pianist who loved to play Chopin and Debussy. These childhood experiences left a deep impression and ended up as the foundational philosophy of his career in music. Dillingham is that rare musician who excels in an orchestral setting, yet has an intuitive feel for nuance and the improvisational skills necessary to play jazz. A native of Brookfield, Ohio, Dillingham played in rock and jazz bands throughout high school. He became serious about music as a career while at Youngstown State University, studying under the instruction of Tony Leonardi and Micah Howard. After graduating with a Bachelor’s of Music degree in Music Performance with an Emphasis on Jazz, Dillingham’s education continued at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, where he worked with Jeffrey Turner, principal bass of the Pittsburgh Symphony, and subsequently received a Master’s of Music degree in Music Performance. He also attended the National Repertory Orchestra Festival in Breckenridge, Colorado and the School for Improvisational Music in New York. Upon graduation, Dillingham was invited to play in the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and moved to the city to perform with them for the next two seasons. Since then, he has made frequent appearances in Chicago’s vibrant classical scene, playing with the Lyric Opera, the Grant Park Symphony, and the Chicago Opera Theatre. Dillingham is also a member of the Chicago Sinfonietta, Fulcrum Point New Music Project, Matt Jones Orchestra, and the Chicago Philharmonic. He appears on albums by the Chicago Sinfonietta and Camerata Chicago. At the same time, he became a regular presence in Chicago’s rich jazz community, performing at Fred Anderson’s iconic Velvet Lounge, the Green Mill, the Jazz Showcase, Constellation Chicago, Hungry Brain, Andy’s Jazz Club, Elastic Arts and other Chicago venues as well as at the Chicago Jazz Festival. Dillingham has played and recorded with dozens of musicians, including John Legend, Kirk Franklin, Herlin Riley, Peter Bernstein, Kevin Mahogany, Willie Pickens, Dee Alexander, Victor Goines, Bobby Broom, Sean Jones, Greg Ward and Mike Reed. He currently performs with a number of diverse projects crossing genres from jazz, classical and roots to the avant-garde and leads his own band, which features his original compositions. In fall of 2020 he joined the faculty at Indiana University teaching jazz bass. Eventbrite is the official & sole seller of tickets to all events at Jazz Showcase. Only the original buyer will be admitted into our events, and your name/ID must match the name on your ticket. Tickets purchased outside of the Eventbrite platform will not be admitted into any event. 

A masterful jazz pianist, Cyrus Chestnut balances his lithe technical skill with a robust, soulful style that speaks to his deep gospel roots and love of swinging hard bop. Raised in the church, he learned how to infuse his swinging, classically trained style with a warm gospel sound, a style that first marked his work as a sideman, backing legendary vocalists Jon Hendricks and Betty Carter, as well as with instrumentalists like Donald Harrison and Wynton Marsalis. He further perfected his approach as a leader, recording a bevy of small group albums for Atlantic, like 1998's Cyrus Chestnut, and as a member of the Manhattan Trinity with bassist George Mraz and drummer Lewis Nash. Most often, Chestnut leads the Cyrus Chestnut Trio, as on 2016's Natural Essence with veterans Buster Williams and Lenny White, 2018's Kaleidoscope with Eric Wheeler and Chris Beck, and 2022's My Father's Hands with Peter Washington and drummer Lewis Nash, the latter of which found him paying tribute to his late father, who first taught him how to play. 

A masterful jazz pianist, Cyrus Chestnut balances his lithe technical skill with a robust, soulful style that speaks to his deep gospel roots and love of swinging hard bop. Raised in the church, he learned how to infuse his swinging, classically trained style with a warm gospel sound, a style that first marked his work as a sideman, backing legendary vocalists Jon Hendricks and Betty Carter, as well as with instrumentalists like Donald Harrison and Wynton Marsalis. He further perfected his approach as a leader, recording a bevy of small group albums for Atlantic, like 1998's Cyrus Chestnut, and as a member of the Manhattan Trinity with bassist George Mraz and drummer Lewis Nash. Most often, Chestnut leads the Cyrus Chestnut Trio, as on 2016's Natural Essence with veterans Buster Williams and Lenny White, 2018's Kaleidoscope with Eric Wheeler and Chris Beck, and 2022's My Father's Hands with Peter Washington and drummer Lewis Nash, the latter of which found him paying tribute to his late father, who first taught him how to play. 

A masterful jazz pianist, Cyrus Chestnut balances his lithe technical skill with a robust, soulful style that speaks to his deep gospel roots and love of swinging hard bop. Raised in the church, he learned how to infuse his swinging, classically trained style with a warm gospel sound, a style that first marked his work as a sideman, backing legendary vocalists Jon Hendricks and Betty Carter, as well as with instrumentalists like Donald Harrison and Wynton Marsalis. He further perfected his approach as a leader, recording a bevy of small group albums for Atlantic, like 1998's Cyrus Chestnut, and as a member of the Manhattan Trinity with bassist George Mraz and drummer Lewis Nash. Most often, Chestnut leads the Cyrus Chestnut Trio, as on 2016's Natural Essence with veterans Buster Williams and Lenny White, 2018's Kaleidoscope with Eric Wheeler and Chris Beck, and 2022's My Father's Hands with Peter Washington and drummer Lewis Nash, the latter of which found him paying tribute to his late father, who first taught him how to play. 

A masterful jazz pianist, Cyrus Chestnut balances his lithe technical skill with a robust, soulful style that speaks to his deep gospel roots and love of swinging hard bop. Raised in the church, he learned how to infuse his swinging, classically trained style with a warm gospel sound, a style that first marked his work as a sideman, backing legendary vocalists Jon Hendricks and Betty Carter, as well as with instrumentalists like Donald Harrison and Wynton Marsalis. He further perfected his approach as a leader, recording a bevy of small group albums for Atlantic, like 1998's Cyrus Chestnut, and as a member of the Manhattan Trinity with bassist George Mraz and drummer Lewis Nash. Most often, Chestnut leads the Cyrus Chestnut Trio, as on 2016's Natural Essence with veterans Buster Williams and Lenny White, 2018's Kaleidoscope with Eric Wheeler and Chris Beck, and 2022's My Father's Hands with Peter Washington and drummer Lewis Nash, the latter of which found him paying tribute to his late father, who first taught him how to play. 

Dakarai Barclay is a trumpet player and educator based in Chicago, Illinois. With each performance,  Dakarai seeks to pay homage to the origins of Black American music, in all its forms, and those whose legacies we are indebted to. Outside of leading his own projects, Dakarai has played with musicians such as Willerm Delisfort, Winard Harper, Marlene Rosenberg, Jarrard Harris, Ernest Dawkins, Emma Blau and many more.