Evento

Merrimans' Playhouse Jazz Performance Series presents Artie Black Quartet

The Artie Black Quartet first played together as the house band for Adam Thornburg's weekly session at Phyllis's Musical Inn in July 2013. Though that series eventually ended, the quartet continued to develop and perform the music they had begun to grow. The band has since appeared in Chicago at the Green Mill's Composer's Collective series, at Constellation's Sounds of the City Workshop, and at Jerry's, Local Root, the Undergroud Wonderbar, and more. Their original music draws from two of Chicago's strongest improvised styles: swing music rooted in the hard bop era, and the expression and flexibility of traditions like the AACM.

Featuring:
Artie Black - Tenor Saxophone
Jeff Swanson - Guitar
Marcus Evans - Drums
John Sims - Bass

Visit the website at artieblack.com for more information and recordings.

Artie Black

Originally from Butler, PA, saxophonist Artie Black moved to Chicago in 2012 after completing a Master's Degree at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. He has since continued to develop as an improviser and composer through his involvement in Chicago's dynamic music community. In addition to his own quartet, Artie co - leads the Black Diamond Quartet with saxophonist Hunter Diamond.

Jeff Swanson

Guitarist and South Bend native Jeff Swanson has made his unique voice and open mind a valued part of the Chicago diverse music scene. A strong player in many disciplines, he has been featured at the Chicago Jazz Festival, Chicago Gospel Festival as well as local and national venues (The Green Mill, Constellation, Jazz Showcase, City Winery, The Hideout, Dazzle). As a composer he writes and performs music with New York/Chicago based trio Whirlpool. Featuring Caroline Davis and Charles Rumback, the group's first record This World and One More was released on Ears&Eyes Records in 2013. Their upcoming release Dancing on the Inside expands the ensemble to a quartet with Ron Miles adding cornet. His adaptability and creativity as a sideman has lead him to perform and record with many of the city and nation's best including Juan Pastor's Chinchano, Quentin Coaxum Quintet, Doug Rosenberg's Better Than TV, Marquis Hill, Matt Ulery, Greg Ward, Nick Mazzarella, Tomeka Reid and Christopher McBride.

John Sims

Bassist John Sims played his first professional gig at 16 and has since then thoroughly enjoyed both writing and performing music full time. He received undergraduate degrees in Jazz Performance and Economics from Arizona State University in December 2012 and relocated to Chicago in March of 2013. Since then John has enjoyed playing with the highest quality musicians in the Chicago area at many of its finest jazz clubs. John can commonly be seen performing at the Jazz Showcase, Andys Jazz Club, Constellation, and Chicago's premiere venue, the Green Mill. John was also selected to be a semifinalist in the 2015 International Society of Bassists Jazz Division, and is looking forward to competing in the near future at Colorado State University. In music, John values a solid groove, great feel, creativity, and most importantly, honesty in everything that is played

Marcus Evans

Gary, IN native Marcus Evans has been a staple in the Chicago creative music scene for the past 10 years. He has performed with Chicago notables such as Fred Anderson, Nicole Mitchell and the Black Earth Ensemble, The David Boykin Expanse and many others. He has also performed throughout the U.S. and internationally with groups such as Chicago Afrobeat Project, Occidental Brothers Dance Band International, Hypnotic Brass Ensemble and electronic music producer PREFUSE 73.