Saxophonist, composer, and improviser Dave Rempis (USA, 1975) is one of the leading musicians to have emerged from Chicago’s vibrant jazz scene over the past three decades. Following a formative period that included studies in saxophone and, subsequently, anthropology and ethnomusicology, during which he was already involved in jazz, funk, and contemporary music projects, Rempis was invited to join the quintet led by Ken Vandermark. This opportunity enabled him to establish collaborations with other musicians and begin developing his own ensembles. Since then, this Greek-American saxophonist has pursued a consistent and prolific artistic career as a bandleader and co-leader, as well as in partnerships with major figures in contemporary jazz such as Paul Lytton, Peter Brötzmann, Hamid Drake, and Roscoe Mitchell, among others. Alongside his work as a musician and composer, Dave Rempis also has an impressive track record as a curator and organiser of improvisation series and music festivals, and is the founder of the Aerophonic Records label.

Born in the state of Illinois, USA, Jason Adasiewicz (b. 1977) is originally a drummer, having studied at the prestigious DePaul University, and is now recognised as an important vibraphonist and composer within Chicago’s improvised and avant-garde music scene. Adasiewicz’s entry into the jazz world was catalysed by an early collaboration, in the early 2000s, with cornetist Josh Berman and drummer Mike Reed. From that point onwards, the vibraphonist developed a prominent career as a member of numerous ensembles led by other musicians, including Rob Mazurek’s Exploding Star Orchestra and Fred Lonberg-Holm’s Valentine Trio, as well as through co-led projects such as his duo with saxophonist Keefe Jackson, the trio Sun Rooms, alongside Nate McBride and Mike Reed, and the more recent quintet with which he recorded the soundtrack to the film Roy’s World.

Chris Corsano (b. 1975) is arguably, as a result of a multifaceted body of work spanning the intersections of improvisation, free jazz, and experimental rock, one of the most highly regarded drummers of his generation in contemporary music. A self-taught musician based in Chicago, Corsano began his professional career in 1998 through a collaboration with saxophonist Paul Flaherty which, by combining the principles of free jazz with a punk-hardcore aesthetic, already pointed towards the heterodox approach to music that would become his trademark and paved the way for successive collaborations with numerous influential figures in contemporary music, including Joe McPhee, Bill Orcutt, Jim O’Rourke, Björk, and Nels Cline, among many others. Alongside his intense collaborative activity, Corsano has also developed significant solo work, exemplified by his most recent recording, The Key (Became The Important Thing [and Then Just Faded Away]), released by Drag City in 2024.