Black Diamond thrives on the chemistry and compositions of saxophonists Artie Black and Hunter Diamond. Their new album Furniture Of the Mind Rearranging (WeJazz Records) is an assemblage of new compositions and improvisations that develop the band's established sound and exemplify the way in which this band folds into the Chicago creative music community. The quartet traverses their familiar aesthetic ranges between driving off-kilter groove, plaintive minimalism, and intimate chamber music, with the ever-present spirit of small-group jazz and a hovering influence of Chicago’s improvised music culture. And while this collection represents three previous albums and more than a decade of close kinship and artistic evolution between co-leaders Black and Diamond, neither are too precious about any one element on the album. This is very simply the latest work in what continues to be an expanding body work founded on a guiding principle: cultivation without expectation.

Artie Black - saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet

Hunter Diamond - saxophone, flute

Matt Ulery - bass

Neil Hemphill - drums

More information and tickets here

Fresh of tracking our debut record, RO returns to the Clipper for a night of groove music.

Kenthaney Redmond - flute

Hunter Diamond - flute, saxophone

Aaron Shapiro - guitar

Wayne Montana - bass

Areif Sless-Kitain - drums

The New Now series, curated by Sully Davis and Eli Schmitt.

A set of new and unrecorded material, and maybe a few from our latest recording Furniture of the Mind Rearranging

Chicago based bassist/composer and bandleader Matt Ulery has developed an instantly recognizable sound. Known for his sweeping lyricism, unconventional phrase structures, expressionistic emotionalism, Ulery’s music, from small, diverse chamber ensembles to full orchestras, is informed by the entire spectrum of jazz, classical, rock, pop, and folk– specifically American, South American, Balkan, and other European folk styles. He has been performing for 25 years on upright, electric, and brass basses.
For over two decades, Ulery has been the leader of his own groups and frequent collaborator. Ulery has produced and released 15 critically acclaimed albums of all original music under his name including with his latest, 11-piece mixed chamber jazz ensemble, Mannerist, from May 2023.  In 2014, Matt Ulery’s Loom performed on the NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series and was featured in Vanity Fair Magazine in a “rising jazz stars” feature article. 

Matt Ulery - bass, compositions

Russ Johnson - trumpet

James Davis - trumpet

Chris Shuttleworth - trombone

Hunter Diamond - saxophone, flute, clarinet

Artie Black - saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet

Dustin Laurenzi - saxophone

Julius Tucker - piano

Jon Deitemeyer - drums

Chicago based bassist/composer and bandleader Matt Ulery has developed an instantly recognizable sound. Known for his sweeping lyricism, unconventional phrase structures, expressionistic emotionalism, Ulery’s music, from small, diverse chamber ensembles to full orchestras, is informed by the entire spectrum of jazz, classical, rock, pop, and folk– specifically American, South American, Balkan, and other European folk styles. He has been performing for 25 years on upright, electric, and brass basses.
For over two decades, Ulery has been the leader of his own groups and frequent collaborator. Ulery has produced and released 15 critically acclaimed albums of all original music under his name including with his latest, 11-piece mixed chamber jazz ensemble, Mannerist, from May 2023.  In 2014, Matt Ulery’s Loom performed on the NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series and was featured in Vanity Fair Magazine in a “rising jazz stars” feature article. 

Matt Ulery - bass, compositions

Russ Johnson - trumpet

James Davis - trumpet

Chris Shuttleworth - trombone

Hunter Diamond - saxophone, flute, clarinet

Artie Black - saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet

Dustin Laurenzi - saxophone

Julius Tucker - piano

Jon Deitemeyer - drums

Chicago based bassist/composer and bandleader Matt Ulery has developed an instantly recognizable sound. Known for his sweeping lyricism, unconventional phrase structures, expressionistic emotionalism, Ulery’s music, from small, diverse chamber ensembles to full orchestras, is informed by the entire spectrum of jazz, classical, rock, pop, and folk– specifically American, South American, Balkan, and other European folk styles. He has been performing for 25 years on upright, electric, and brass basses.
For over two decades, Ulery has been the leader of his own groups and frequent collaborator. Ulery has produced and released 15 critically acclaimed albums of all original music under his name including with his latest, 11-piece mixed chamber jazz ensemble, Mannerist, from May 2023.  In 2014, Matt Ulery’s Loom performed on the NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series and was featured in Vanity Fair Magazine in a “rising jazz stars” feature article. 

Matt Ulery - bass, compositions

Russ Johnson - trumpet

James Davis - trumpet

Chris Shuttleworth - trombone

Hunter Diamond - saxophone, flute, clarinet

Artie Black - saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet

Dustin Laurenzi - saxophone

Julius Tucker - piano

Jon Deitemeyer - drums

FULCRUM POINT NEW MUSIC PROJECT PUSHES THE BOUNDARIES OF THE MUSICAL EXPERIENCE GLOBALLY BY SUPPORTING NEW COMPOSITIONS, CREATING AND PERFORMING TRANSFORMATIVE NEW MUSIC PROGRAMS, AND EDUCATING AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES AND BACKGROUNDS TO IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES OF MUSIC.

Angelo Hart - Piano

Hunter Diamond - winds, electronics

Sarah Clausen - winds, electronics

Marion Mallard - bass

Greg Artry - Drums

A set of new composition by composer/performer/artist Deidre Huckabay featuring:

Ben Melsky - Harp

Caitlin Edwards - violin

Lia Kohl - cello

Hunter Diamond - winds

Sam Scranton - drums

Deidre Huckabay - voice, flute

Two sets of Moldovan/Romanian folk music re-imagined, composed, and arranged by Moldovan vocalist and artist Ana Everling. Performing music from our debut record Pui De Dor.

Ana Everling - voice

Patrick Donley - piano, guitar, banjo

Alex Brescanu - woodwinds

Hunter Diamod - woodwinds, percussion

Kitt Lyles - bass

Stephanie Pielok - violin

Olya Prohotova - violin

order a vinyl copy

Legendary Chicago acid-jazz band Liquid Soul continues on in honor of Mars Williams, the late founder of the band who passed away in the fall on 2023.

More information

Legendary Chicago acid-jazz band Liquid Soul continues on in honor of Mars Williams, the late founder of the band who passed away in the fall on 2023.

A New Orleans / Chicago collaboration led by Nola saxophonist Byron Asher with:

Hunter Diamond - winds, electronics

Anton Hatwich - bass

Quin Kirchner - drums

Chicago drummer Erik Sowa will present the second set

Presented by Joshdimension and Tangible Books

I will perform a set of my most recent solo material for saxophone and samplers.

Emily Beisel will also perform a solo set for bass clarinet and electronics.

Suggestion Donation: $15

Freedom and order. Lyricism and abstraction. Sensitivity and raucousness. Lucas Gillan’s Many Blessings, a Chicago-based jazz quartet, finds comfort in the space between these opposites. Gillan, the drummer and bandleader, composes music that hooks listeners with insistent grooves and memorable melodies even while subverting expectations with outré harmonies and freewheeling improvisations.

Quentin Coaxum - trumpet

Hunter Diamond - saxophone

Dan Thatcher - bass

Lucas Gillan - drums, compositions

Ana Everling and I will present a special stripped-down set of Romanian/Moldovan folk music at the Asia/Europe stage.

More information

PUI DE DOR ALBUM RELEASE SHOW

Two sets of Moldovan/Romanian folk music re-imagined, composed, and arranged by Moldovan vocalist and artist Ana Everling.

Ana Everling - voice

Patrick Donley - piano, guitar, banjo

Alex Brescanu - woodwinds

Hunter Diamod - woodwinds, percussion

Kitt Lyles - bass

Stephanie Pielok - violin

Olya Prohotova - violin

Pre-order a vinyl copy

Legendary Chicago acid-jazz band Liquid Soul continues on in honor of Mars Williams, the late founder of the band who passed away in the fall on 2023.

More information

Original music for quartet to close out the New Jazz & Roots stage:

HD - saxophone, compositions

Jeb Bishop - trombone

Anton Hatwich - bass

Tommaso Moretti - drums

Chicago saxophonist/composer Sarah Clausen leads a new ensemble through a book of her compositions.

Sarah Clausen - alto saxophone, compositions

Hunter Diamond - tenor saxophone

Dustin Laurenzi - tenor saxophone

Jeff Swanson - guitar

Tyler Wagner - bass

Devin Drobka - drums

Second set from Ari Brown/Joshua Abrams/Mike Reed.

Two sets of Moldovan/Romanian folk music re-imagined, composed, and arranged by Moldovan vocalist and artist Ana Everling.

Ana Everling - voice, compositions, arrangements

Kenny Reichert - electric guitar

Edinho Gerber - 7-string acoustic guitar

Hunter Diamond - woodwinds, drums, percussion, field recordings

Come on an adventure with the Four Celestial Guardians: the White Tiger of the West, the Black Tortoise of the North, the Azure Dragon of the East, and the Vermilion Phoenix of the South, who share stories inspired by colors, seasons, elements, constellations, and artworks from the Heritage Museum of Asian Art in this interactive and exploratory dance performance choreographed by HMAA Resident Artist Irene Hsiao.

Opening for Whitney

Hannah Frances is a vocalist, guitarist, composer, poet, and movement artist. Her most recent record Keeper of the Shepherd was voted “Best New Music” by Pitchfork.

As a contributing arranger and soloist, my work can be heard extensively in the live show and on the record.

Opening for Whitney

Hannah Frances is a vocalist, guitarist, composer, poet, and movement artist. Her most recent record Keeper of the Shepherd was voted “Best New Music” by Pitchfork.

As a contributing arranger and soloist, my work can be heard extensively in the live show and on the record.

Hannah Frances is a vocalist, guitarist, composer, poet, and movement artist. Her most recent record Keeper of the Shepherd was voted “Best New Music” by Pitchfork.

As a contributing arranger and soloist, my work can be heard extensively in the live show and on the record.

Avrom Farm Party is a music and food festival in the hills that overlook Green Lake, Wisconsin. It’s a weekend to relax, a parade of great music, and a feast of farm-fresh food. And it’s a celebration of regenerative agriculture. Our purpose is to make nutritious, responsibly grown food available and accessible in daily life.

Black Diamond duo will be conjuring some of the sound from our 2020 release A Held Space for an improvised set at the beautiful Post Farm near Albany, Wisconsin.

Postock began in 2008 as a graduation party amongst some musical friends from Chicago. The festival takes place on the beautiful family farm of Marina and Roger Post near Albany, WI. Since its inception, it has been a space for musicians, artists, and regular folks to come together and share a really good time.

Over the years, Postock has grown from a one night hang into an entire weekend-long festival. With delicious home-cooked meals, two-stages of music going all night, art installations, nature walks, Spotted-Cow Kegs,  printmaking workshops, and more, it has gained a reputation to be an extreme "high-point" of the summer for many recurring attendees. 

Tickets and more information here

Come on an adventure with the Four Celestial Guardians: the White Tiger of the West, the Black Tortoise of the North, the Azure Dragon of the East, and the Vermilion Phoenix of the South, who share stories inspired by colors, seasons, elements, constellations, and artworks from the Heritage Museum of Asian Art in this interactive and exploratory dance performance choreographed by HMAA Resident Artist Irene Hsiao.

4th FRIDAYS - THE SOUL SALAD
Hosted by Poet/Vocalist Marvin Tate, ‘Soul-Salad ‘is a musical offering of national and local acts, from free-jazz, blues, and classical to merengue, and performance art. Tate’s vision is to cross-pollinate the arts and make his old neighborhood a hotspot for locals and out of towners. 

As part of the annual Jazzin’ at the Shedd series, Herbsaint will present three sets of New Orleans music.

Hunter Diamond - clarinet, drums, voice

Patrick Donley - piano, voice

John Sutton - bass

A rare occurrence as three of Chicago’s most active creative saxophonists will perform together for what will be an entrancing and free-form improvisation.

Sarah Clausen - saxophone, electronics

Dustin Laurenzi - saxophone, electronics

Hunter Diamond - woodwinds, electronics