Julia Smulson Quintet

media release: Presented by BlueStem Jazz.

Julia Smulson is an up-and-coming vocalist from Chicago. Smulson will be finishing her degree program at DePaul University in 2023 with a major in vocal jazz and a minor in biology. Julia takes the genre of what is known as jazz to new capacities and adds her flavor of soulful elements. Julia has already had the chance to study with and sing with some of Chicago’s most beloved musicians: Typhanie Monique Coller, Michele Thomas, Vincent Davis, Jeremiah Hunt, Isaiah Collier, etc. Julia’s control over her timbre invites the listener into a space of warm colors, as she takes on the influences of Nancy Wilson and Betty Carter through her vocal inflections. Julia has not only lead her band to many venues in Chicago, but she has also been a featured guest for other artists such as Thaddeus Tukes and Sharel Cassity.

Smulson is accompanied by:

Dakarai Barclay is a Chicago based trumpet player. Dakarai a recent graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. While in college, he studied jazz trumpet under both Melvin Jones and Gordon Vernick (Georgia State University). Prior to attending Morehouse, he attended Whitney M. Young Magnet High School in tangent to attending the Advanced Arts Education Program at Gallery 37 where Dakarai studied under saxophonist Jarrard Harris. Over the years, Dakarai has had the opportunity to share the stage with many pheromonal musicians including Wycliffe Gordon, Gerald Clayton, and many more. Most recently, Dakarai had the opportunity to perform at the 41st Annual Chicago Jazz Festival and can be found playing at other venues throughout the City of Chicago. Upon the fall, Dakarai will begin his Masters in Jazz Performance at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey while studying under Jeremy Pelt

The Chicago Tribune says musician and composer Thaddeus Tukes "brings poetry to the vibraphone." Thaddeus showed prodigious musical talent at a young age, and was awarded the ILMEA top high school vibraphonist in the state at 16. He is a graduate of Whitney Young High School and Northwestern University, where he pioneered the first degree in jazz vibraphone studies. Thaddeus is a Luminarts Fellow, Vivian K Harsh Society Awardee, and was formerly a member of the CSO's Percussion Scholarship Group. He currently performs as a bandleader and special guest with various ensembles throughout the country.

Carmani Edwards is native of Chicago, Illinois. A former Ravinia Jazz Scholar, she has had the privilege to study under and perform with the late Willie Pickens, as well as Dennis Carroll, Ernest Dawkins, Vincent Davis, and Ivan Taylor. Carmani can be seen around Chicago playing electric and upright basses, in styles from jazz to hip-hop. She is continuing her education as a part of DePaul University’s Jazz Studies program.

Alejandro Salazar is rising star here in Chicago playing at clubs, venues and festivals like The Chicago Jazz Festival, The Jazz Showcase, Andy’s Jazz Club, The Hungry Brain, Constellation and Fulton Street Collective with some master musicians such as Jon Faddis, Robert Irving III, Emmet Cohen, Willie Pickens, Victor Garcia, Ernest Dawkins, Senabella Gill, Marques Carroll, John Fournier, Ira Sullivan, and many more.