"Detroit jazz vocalist Jesse Palter shows her youth when singing—and we mean that in a good way. She inhabits Billie by way of Erkyah and can do Ben Folds–ish pop, neo-soul and the standards with just the right combination of wink and sincerity." - Time Out Chicago
"Saxophonist Dave Rempis embodies all of the best qualities of the Chicago improvisational music scene: he's a gifted but disciplined player who knows his instruments inside and out; he's a fearless, imaginative improviser; and he uncomplainingly works his ass off." - Paul Olson, All About Jazz
Graham Czach, bass Makaya McCraven, drums Greg Spero, piano
"Spero is fresh and exciting," praises Chicago's most prominent female Latin artist Guia Rivera. "Even people who don't like jazz, like Spero. He's that good."
A recent transplant to Chicago after being the face of the Boston jazz scene, James Chafin brings us the American Songbook, the blues, and vocalese. In Boston, Chafin performed at Wally’s, Ryles Jazz Club and as a part of a sound installation on display at the Institute of Contemporary Art designed by the artist Juan Chavez.
Fred Sonntag, drums Dennis Trainor, reeds Kim Mniszewski, trombone Rich Marcisz, guitar Richie Pardo, bass Jack Rusnak, cornet
Led by Jack Rusnak and based out of Chicago's south side, The Mudcats have been performing together for over 23 years and bring their beloved New Orleans jazz music to Inspiration Cafe for the first time.
June 7, 2010: Postponed
Inspiration Cafe is closed for the June session.
July 5, 2010: Alexander's Ragtime Band
Alex Cain, vocals/trombone Alex Marianyi, saxophone/flute Ben Joseph, electric bass Mathew Roberts, drums
Although a newcomer to the Chicago jazz scene, composer and saxophonist Alex Marianyi can been seen performing on numerous stages throughout the city, including being invited as a featured guest alongside legendary Branford Marsalis for the Chicago Jazz Ensemble.
Hailed by Abbey Lincoln as "a great performer" and daughter of the legendary Oscar Brown, Jr, Maggie Brown has brought her powerful, four-octave range to venues as diverse as the House of Blues, the Old Towne School of Folk Music, Ravinia Jazz Festival, the world renown Chicago Jazz Festival and Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center. She has canvassed the nation with her work, including performances at New York's Blue Note with Abbey Lincoln, Zanzibar Blue in Philadelphia, Razzels in Denver and at the Woodruf Arts Center in Atlanta.
About Dave: "Miller, one of those polymaths who can’t seem to find enough bands to fill his time...Miller draws from jazz and rock (prog, psych, and post-) but also aspires to a kind of latter-day chamber music: tautly composed lines and detailed, surprisingly delicate arrangements butt up against raucous free improvisation and splashy electronics." --Neil Tesser, Chicago Reader
About Caroline: Caroline Davis is the recipient of numerous industry accolades, including the Downbeat outstanding soloist award (2006), an outstanding Graduate Student presentation (2005 Performance Matters Conference in Portugal), and performances with Sisters in Jazz (2005).
Blue Note artist Patricia Barber raves: “Jon Deitemyer is the drummer everybody wants right now…” and Chicagojazz.com says: “Jon Deitemyer has earned a reputation as a must-hear drummer and doesn't disappoint.”
