Neal Alger Quintet

Neal Alger - guitar Chad McCullough - trumpet Chris Madsen - saxophone (Thu, Fri, Sat) Jon Irabagon - saxophone (Sun) Clark Sommers - bass Dana Hall - drums Lauded as "one of the most sensitive and creative guitarists in a city filled with them" (Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune) and described as “monstrously talented” by Christopher Loudon (Jazz Times magazine), Neal Alger's musical versatility has allowed him to perform with Howard Levy (jazz), New Black Renaissance (R&B/Soul), Bossa Tres (Brazilian samba), and Blend Acoustic (classic rock/pop). Neal has toured Europe, Canada, Brazil, South Korea, Russia, and the U.S. with vocalist/pianist Patricia Barber and he is featured on her Blue Note Records releases Verse, Live: A Fortnight in France, Mythologies, The Cole Porter Mix, and Higher.   Neal’s newest project as a leader is the Here and Now Quintet, a straight-ahead ensemble dedicated to performing Alger's original compositions.  The quintet's first album Old Souls, was released in March 2024 on Calligram Records.  Past projects have included the Neal Alger Brazilian Trio that performs several varieties of Brazilian music (samba, choro, baião, frevo), a Blue Note Quartet which unearthed classic and obscure compositions from the legendary Blue Note jazz record label. "Some fine guitar playing, compelling compositions and a terrific ensemble"                                  - Russell Perry, WTJU 91.1 FM, University of Virginia "Always lithe fretwork", "With [Old Souls], Neal continues to make a strong impression" and "shows himself to be an ever inventive and imaginative presence". -Textura.org "[Old Souls] is an eclectic musical merry-go-round" -Dee Dee McNeil, makingascene.org