June 10, 2016

Friday night live at Transistor: progressive jazz from the Drew Hansen Quartet with Macie Stewart and modern acoustic jazz from Screeching Owl. Sound by Jon Monteverde.   

Trumpet player and composer Drew Hansen brings to Transistor an exciting ensemble featuring singer and violinist Macie Stewart of Homme and Marrow, guitarist Sam Hasting, and Marrow drummer Matt Carroll. The group draws on many influences, including modern and free jazz, folk music, and film scores, creating a truly unique sense of interplay, harmony, and risk-taking. 

Drew Hansen is a trumpet player, composer, and educator living in Chicago. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in jazz studies from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, where he spent time as a featured soloist with the Concert Jazz Band and the Latin Jazz Ensemble. Drew has had the privilege of playing alongside luminaries like Bob Mintzer, Wayne Bergeron, Orbert Davis, Jeff Coffin, Jon Faddis, John Wojechiowski, Larry Gray, Dennis DiBlasio, and Chris Martin, principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He has also had the opportunity to perform at the Chicago Jazz Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival, Tipitina’s New Orleans, and jazz clubs in Chicago, including the Green Mill, Jazz Showcase, and Andy’s. Drew is an active freelancer in jazz, Afro-beat, classical, commercial music, and more. He also leads his own small groups, playing in various venues throughout the city.

Drew Hansen trumpet and composition Macie Stewart voice Sam Hasting guitar Lane Beckstrom bass Rob Fletcher drums Filmed at Transistor in Chicago

Says Zakk Jones: Screeching Owl was formed in early 2015, with the intent of forming a group to perform my original compositions and arrangements. I used my love for all musical styles in writing for the group, with influences ranging from Modern Jazz (Chris Potter, Alex Sipiagin etc.) to heavy metal and drum 'n bass. My goal was to create accessible, conversational and exciting music. In May ’15 I released our first EP, entitled "Dreams of Yesterday," which features six original compositions of mine. The group continues to grow and has an interchanging roster to make each performance a new experience. We have performed often in the Columbus/central Ohio region, and also completed a two-week Midwest tour in August 2015. 

This performance at Transistor highlighted a touring trio of myself on guitar, Elliot Scozzaro on alto saxophone and David Wolbert on bass, playing original music and arrangements of less-played standards.  We were joined on trumpet by Steven Jacobs.

Visit Zakk Jones' website. 

Also available: a previous Screeching Owl Transistor performance from August 15, 2015.