When Chicago pianist and composer Bob Dogan died in Tallahassee, Florida, in 2020 after a brief illness, our city lost a jazz giant. In 2005, longtime Reader writer Neil Tesser hailed his small-group compositions for their “strong, meaty lines with attractive harmonic schemes that engage and propel the soloists,” while also noting the airy, economical statements in Dogan’s own playing—which he’d honed in the early 70s while working in a big band led by notoriously extroverted drummer Buddy Rich. Several talented instrumentalists who’ve spent years gigging in Chicago and elsewhere with Dogan—bass trumpeter Ryan Shultz, saxophonist Juli Wood, drummer Joe Adamik (Califone, Iron & Wine), and bassist Dan DeLorenzo—have convened a quintet to perform a two-set tribute to Dogan at Elastic Arts on Monday, March 27. This estimable ensemble will play new arrangements of Dogan’s songs by DeLorenzo, and it’s rounded out by pianist Tom Vaitsas—who has mighty big boots to fill.
Post Office Winter drummer Eli Schmitt, a key figure in Chicago’s youth DIY scene, has been hosting live performances in his apartment for a YouTube series called New Now for more than a year. On Wednesday, April 5, New Now will debut as a monthly all-ages showcase at Irving Park arts space Color Club. Lifeguard drummer Isaac Lowenstein headlines with his solo IDM project, Donkey Basketball, which by then will have released the full-length Donkey Basketball Planet, due March 31. Sky Changes and DJ Sata also perform; tickets cost $10.
The forthcoming Donkey Basketball full-length by Lifeguard drummer Isaac Lowenstein
On Friday, March 24, Pink Avalanche front man and soundman extraordinaire Che Arthur drops the debut EP from his new solo project, Ha Subliminal. The self-titled release threads a line between artsy postpunk and warm electro-pop, and on early single “Reel In,” Arthur’s processed vocals hang over knotty guitar lines in a way that sure has this wolf on the hook!
Che Arthur debuts as Ha Subliminal with a self-titled EP due this Friday.
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