Evanston Jazz: “Donovan’s Garage” presents “Mixon-Mixin’ BRASS

Launch your holiday season with a special “Donovan’s Garage” show on Tuesday, Dec. 10 called “Mixon-Mixin’ Brass,” a performance that will bring a sextet of leading Chicago jazz players to Evanston  for a show that is free and open to the public.

It’s going to be a high energy jazz performance featuring two trumpets and a trombone in the brass section supported by bass, drums, and guitar.  Donovan Mixon, who organizes the free jazz series in Evanston called “Donovan’s Garage” says he’ll be “’mixing it up’ from swing to funk.”

In these shows, Donovan brings an ever-changing cast of Chicago’s top jazz players to Evanston for free held through the winter at the former Second Church of Christ Scientist in Evanston.  It is a venue that is finding new life as a performing arts center.

Mixon is an Evanston-based jazz guitarist, composer, and teacher.  He has performed worldwide, and is a fixture of the Chicago jazz scene.  He draws on his many friendships and relationships among Chicago’s jazz players to assemble the free shows designed to bring more of the music he loves to the community that he loves.

Here is the sextet Mixon has assembled for “Mixon Mixin’ Brass.”

On Trumpet:  Leon Q. Allen and Quentin Coaxum.

On Trombone:  Kirby Fellis

On Drums:  Jeremy Cunningham

On Bass:  Katie Ernst

On Guitar:  Donovan Mixon

Here is the background that those six will bring to the stage.

Leon Q. Allen been praised by the likes of Jon Faddis, Wynton Marsalis, and Bone Thugs N Harmony. He has been dubbed “Chicago’s Finest” and “The Truth” by legends such as Rakim and Ice Cube. Leon has shared the spotlight with such icons as Common, Kanye West, and James Brown.

Quentin Coaxum is considered one of Chicago’s brightest young trumpeters and composers.  His work draws on literary voices that include James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, and “the dynamics of human relationships in America’s social climate.” His play has a contemporary edge heavily influenced by the soulful post-bop styles of the late 50’s and early 60’s.

Kirby Fellis is a Chicago-based jazz trombonist, educator, and composer.  His passionate and spontaneous music reflects his Caribbean-American roots, which were on full display at the Monterey Jazz Festival and the Detroit Jazz Festival.

Jeremy Cunningham, a drummer, composer, and improviser, has performed with luminaries such as Von Freeman, Jeff Parker, Marquis Hill, and Lane Beckstrom.  He currently performs with his own quarter, as well as with the performing groups Resavoir, Trio Bives, Nick Mazzarella’s Meridian Trio, and the Chicago Drum Choir.

Katie Ernst is a distinguished  Chicago-based bassist.  She co-leads ensembles that include the jazz trio Twin Talk, the folk-jazz duo Wayfaring, and the indie rock band Edith Judith.  Her project, the Dorothy Parker-inspired song cycle “Little Words,” debuted at the Kennedy Center.  She teaches as the Birch Creek Music Academy and is a board member of the Jazz Institute of Chicago.

Donovan Mixon will bring his talent on jazz guitar, supporting what it certain to be a highlight event of the early holiday season.