Jason Adasiewicz
Chicago musicians have been benefiting from the empathetic harmonies, knockout improvisations, and unique sound of vibraphonist Jason Adasiewicz for years. He’s a member of James Falzone’s Klang, Mike Reed’s Loose Assembly, Josh Berman’s Old Idea, Aram Shelton’s Arrive, Rob Mazurek’s Starlicker, and Nicole Mitchell’s Black Earth Ensemble, among others, and leads two excellent bands himself: Sun Rooms and Rolldown. But now the rest of the world is catching on, from New York Times critic Ben Ratliff to European musicians like saxophonist Peter Brötzmann and pianist Stefano Bollani, who’ve both sought him out. As a composer, improviser, and bandleader, he’s a unique talent, not simply as a vibist, but as a broad-minded musician. —Peter Margasak