“a fresh take on the age-old piano trio, catapulted by McCraven's propulsive percussion into an orbit that few first-time groups ever achieve.”     – Neil Tesser (from the liner notes)

Makaya Marcus McCraven, drummer, composer and multi-instrumentalist has been impressing crowds for almost two decades. His explosive drumming blends world rhythms and jazz traditions with a hip hop and rock attitude. Makaya is celebrating the release of Split Decission on Chiago Sessions at the Green Mill on Friday, August 4th and Saturday, April 5th when his trio (Makaya McCraven on drums, Andrew Toombs on piano, and Tim Seisser on bass) will be joined by special guest saxophonists Marcus Strickland (Roy Haynes' Fountain of Youth) and  Greg Ward.

James Carter©Andrea Canter

“Carter’s ease with swing, bop and avant-garde styles also gave notice that a staggeringly inclusive figure—the apotheosis of the postmodern jazzman—was now among us.

--Steve Futterman, The Washington Post

Perennial winner of critics and reader’s polls for his prowess on all things saxophone (and a few other wind instruments), James Carter has basked in the jazz limelight since his first recordings hit the streets in the mid 1990s. Celebrating ten years of collaboration, the James Carter Organ Trio breezes into Evanston for a night at SPACE (Society for the Preservation of Art and Culture in Evanston). Joining Carter are fellow Detroit natives Gerard Gibbs on organ and Leonard King on drums.

Akiko Tsuruga

Organist Akiko Tsuruga has risen to notoriety as a touring member of Lou Donald's quartet for the past several years, but her own band swings like anything. They should, Akiko is a monster on the Hammond B3 and the other members are all veteran old-school soul jazz musicians being alumni of Capitan Jack McDuff's band. They include tenor saxophonist Jerry Weldon, trumpeter Joe Magnarelli, and drummer Rudy Petschauer. They will be swinging at the Green Mill on Friday, July 20th starting at 9 p.m. and on Saturday, July 21st at 8 p.m.. For more great Hammond B3 sound, show up early on Friday to hear Chicago's own Chris Foreman solo on the B3 from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday keep swinging all night with Sabertooth featuring Cameron Pfiffner on tenor sax, Pat Mallinger on alto & tenor sax, Pete Benson on Hammond B-3 organ, and Ted Sirota on drums from midnight until breakfast time..