Drew Hansen with Kitt Lyles, Gustavo Cortiñas, Artie Black, Aaron Shapiro

BlueStem Jazz.

media release: Drew Hansen is a Chicago trumpet player and educator making a name for himself as a thoughtful composer and adventurous improviser. Drew is also the Director of Jazz at Midwest Young Artists Conservatory in Highwood, Illinois, a program that takes a holistic approach to jazz education. He is the leader of Room Full of Chairs, an ensemble inspired by the haiku of Chicago poet John O’Connor. He also leads his own quintet, which draws inspiration from the jazz masters of the past and present. Both groups can be heard on Drew’s debut album, Stone Forest/Sun Shower.

Kitt Lyles is one of Chicago’s most distinctive bassists and composers. Born and raised in South Carolina, Lyles has cultivated an aesthetic that synthesizes his love for Southern roots music with imaginative contemporary jazz.

Embracing a multicultural language while investing in a variety of disciplines within the music itself, Mexican-born, Chicago-based composer, bandleader, drummer, and lyricist Gustavo Cortiñas continues to surpass himself in the breadth of his work. Downbeat writes, “Cortiñas' music is uplifting, robust, melodic, and gets your body moving; it's an exciting blend of the artist's musical influences from jazz and Latin America, including his native Mexico."

Artie Black is a saxophonist, clarinetist, composer, and educator based in Chicago. He co-leads the group Black Diamond, an ensemble that has been actively performing and touring since 2012. Artie can also be heard in groups led by drummer Gustavo Cortiñas, bassist Matt Ulery, trumpeter Alexander Massa, guitarist Jeff Swanson, trombonist Luke Malevicz, drummer Greg Artry, and many others in Chicago’s creative music scene.

Aaron Shapiro has been leading jazz ensembles for 15 years in Chicago and has showcased his compositions at many of the city's esteemed Jazz venues: The Green Mill, The Jazz Showcase and Andy's Jazz Club. As a sideman Aaron has shared the stage with the likes of Esperanza Spaulding and Marquis Hill.