Mick Archer

A lifetime professional musician, Mick Archer can carry a solo piano and vocal show on his own, pair with jazz/soul virtuoso John Talmadge for the smoking hot dueling blues piano act The Blues 88s, or provide Irish music in his group Chicago Rovers. You may know him as long-time dueling pianist at Baja Beach Club in the 1990s, or perhaps you took lessons from him at the Old Town School of Folk Music. In whatever capacity you may have seen him, you would remember his incredible multi-instrumental skills and fantastic showmanship!

Bill Chapin Jazz X-tet

Bill's wondrous jazz interpretations will transport your audience to another era whether he performs as a solo pianist or as part of a jazz ensemble.  Bill’s main project is the X-tet, a jazz group of two to six pieces performing modern jazz with energy and sensitivity. Whether you want swing, blues, or Latin jazz, the X-tet finds the groove you love.

A regular performer at Center Cut in Grayslake, The Lake House in Lake Bluff, and Italian Kitchen in Deerfield for years, Bill also plays with the CLC Jazz Ensemble. The X-tet is perfect for upscale dining and lounges, classy cocktail hours and receptions, fundraisers and galas, and corporate events.

Bob Long and Al Day

The sublime, original jazz of Al and Bob make them the perfect musical accompaniment to any truly artistic event. Bob’s inventive and inviting piano, combined with Al’s expressive, gravely vocals and emotional guitar musings, create an atmosphere that can be compared to the jazz clubs of the mid-20th century. They perform at several clubs in the city, including the famous Green Mill, whose poet-in-residence, Marc Smith, has performed spoken word with them. If you’re looking for a pure jazz experience, then this duo is exactly what you need. 
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Jazz Spectrum

This is an energetic, jazz influenced vocal quartet backed by 5 swinging musicians.  From lush ballads to hip renditions of big band music...from good-time 50's R & R and Doo Wop to lightening fast vocalese lyrics, Jazz Spectrum lays down a dazzling performance of rich harmonies and tight ensemble work.

They salute their predecessors with updated versions of hits made famous by the fabulous vocal groups of the 40's like The Modernairs, King Sisters and Pied Pipers plus those 50's groups like The Four Freshmen and Four Aces as well as The Manhattan Transfer.  Lambert, Hendricks and Ross of the late 50's is also a favorite. All arrangements are written be Bob Zaun, leader, including his vocalese lyrics in the style of  Jon Hendricks, the poet laureate of jazz!

Nascent Jazz Project

The Nascent Jazz Project (NJP) is a collection of highly talented, professionally trained Chicago-based musicians specializing in modern & standards jazz, Latin and popular music. The collective includes the core rhythm section of Marc Malitz on bass and Ed Kriege on drums and, depending on the venue and clients’ needs, adds virtuoso guitarist Gabriel Datcu, tenor and alto saxophonist Mike Block, pianist Benjamin Krause, and vibraphonist Anthony Jay Houston. The Nascent Jazz Project can be configured for background music for restaurants and rehearsal dinners, or be the featured act at clubs and outdoor venues. NJP has proven to be one of Chicagoland’s most popular musical ensembles for all types of venues and occasions.
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Maracujaz

From mellow bossa novas and upbeat sambas to jazz classics, Maracujaz is a musical journey to Brazilian jazz and will put you right in the heart of Carnaval! Maracujaz (available as a duo, trio, or quartet) includes some of Chicago’s finest jazz musicians and has played at some of the top events and venues in the Chicago area, including WDCB Jazz in the Bistro, Windy City Rib Fest, the Crystal Ballroom, Brasil Fest Chicago, the Uncork Illinois Wine Festival in Oak Park and Tuscany with special guests like Neal Alger, Luciano Antonio, Neusa Sauer, and Geraldo de Oliveira. Hailing from Sao Paulo, vocalist Cecy Santana grew up in a musical family headed by her father, legendary Afro-Brazilian trumpeter Carlos Santana, who is known for his collaborations with Roberto Carlos, Gal Costa, and also played first trumpet for the Sao Paulo and Rio Symphony Orchestras. Vocalist Neusa Sauer, best known for her work with Som Brasil, one of the most popular Latin bands to make a name for itself in the Windy City, and appearances at the Chicago Jazz Festival and the Jazz Showcase, continues to cast a musical spell as only the finest practitioners of Brazilian music can. Vocalist Leanne Araya took Master classes with Bobby McFerrin  and produced and performed on the Oprah show, at the Lincoln Center, and with the Chicagoland Pops Orchestra.  Vocalist-bassist/pianist Jo Raymond has performed with Arturo Martinez, Otis Day, Luciano Antonio, Chicago Samba and members of They Might Be Giants and Lisa Loeb’s Nine Lives and composed the music for the film, “A Batalha dos Anjos Malditos.” Multi-instrumentalist Adam Haus has played guitar and bass with a variety of Latin music groups in Chicagoland, including Chicago Samba and Bossa Saravah at venues  like Cafe Ciao, Coobah and Chant. Percussionist Sean Jelinek leads the ensemble Common Tones and performed with  jazz greats, Orange Alert.   ​

The Last Word

Here is a union of song, jazz, and poetry--a collaboration into a single voice via this Chicago jazz supergroup! Bob Long’s inventive and inviting piano, Al Day’s expressive, gravely vocals and emotional guitar musings, Doug Lofstrom’s smooth bass, and Brian Gephart's  smoldering saxophone support Marc Smith’s evocative poetry. Smith created and has been hosting the weekly Poetry Slam at The Green Mill in Chicago for 35 years. They are known for creating an atmosphere that can be compared to the jazz clubs of the mid-20th century. They’ll share with you some secrets about how to make a jazz piece your own while still respecting the integrity of the original music, and also how to invent your own music using jazz elements.