Geof Bradfield’s work as a composer and performer on saxophones and clarinets embraces intersections of modern jazz and other streams of African Diaspora music, drawing inspiration from Charlie Parker, Melba Liston, Lead Belly, Shona mbira music, and Gullah spirituals. Born in Houston, TX, Bradfield has performed throughout North America, Europe, Russia, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, sharing the stage with artists such as Randy Weston, Dana Hall, Clark Sommers, Brian Blade, Anna Webber, Orrin Evans, Jeff Parker, Matt Ulery, and Ryan Cohan. His work is featured on 50+ CDs including eight albums as a leader that have garnered critical accolades from the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and NPR. Nate Chinen describes his Yes, and…Music for Nine Improvisers (Delmark Records) as “an album of chamber-esque color and oft-surprising texture, because Bradfield is the sort of composer who creates room for departure.” He has received grants and awards from Chamber Music America, Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, DCASE, Illinois Arts Council, and the Mellon Foundation. The Downbeat Critics Poll has named him a Rising Star Tenor Saxophonist and Arranger multiple years.

Geof Bradfield Quintet 2025

Dearborn Station

Guitarist Scott Hesse is a well-respected figure in the Chicago jazz community. Known especially for his harmonic and rhythmic inventiveness, Scott is equally at home in straight-ahead or avant garde settings. Since moving to Chicago in 2005, Scott has played at every major jazz venue in the area. He's also been featured in several jazz festivals throughout the United States, Europe, and Canada.

Scott Hesse Trio

Grammy Award winning drummer Kyle Swan has been working on mastering his craft for over 20 years. He has demonstrated true dedication to enhancing his artistry in every way. He attained his Undergraduate and Graduate degrees from University of Miami’s Frost School of Music from the years 2013-2018. He studied Criminology and Jazz Studies in his undergraduate degree and became the TA for the Jazz Drum Department during his graduate studies. He has participated in many music festivals across the world which include the Montreal Jazz Festival (Canada, 2016), The Jazz Cruise(2017, 2023, 2024), University of Wyoming Jazz Festival (2024), Port Au Prince Jazz Festival(Haiti, 2018), Dromos Jazz Festival(Italy 2018) Guatemala Jazz Festival(Guatemala 2019), Menorca Jazz Festival(Spain 2019), Leavenworth Jazz Festival (Washington 2023), and many others. He has had the honor of performing/recording/touring with many esteemed artists such as, @Grammy Award winning artists Kurt Elling, Brian Lynch, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and Paquito D’Rivera. He has also had the privilege of playing/recording with other phenomenal artists such as Charles McPherson, Sean Jones, Orrin Evans, Peter Bernstein, Rodney Whitaker, Cyrille Aimee, Bobby Broom, Martin Bejerano, Ira Sullivan, Alex Brown, etc. Kyle can be heard on recordings including @Grammy Winning “Omni American Book Club.” And others such as “7X7BY7,” “Tell the Truth,” “Kemet (The Black Land),” “Gola Akoustik,” “Hallways,” and others. Kyle has also taught/performed/adjudicated at various jazz camps/festivals including Indiana All State Jazz Bands (2025), Tonica International Jazz Festival (Guadalajara, 2016), Festival de Jazz de Antequera (Spain, 2022), and Leavenworth Jazz Festival, (Seattle, 2023). As he currently resides in Chicago, Il., you can find him performing at jazz clubs and teaching master classes and privately around the city, country, and abroad. As a student of the Black American Artform that is Jazz, Kyle has devoted quality time to his musical evolution, instruction, and mastery.

Scott Hesse

Events

Past events

18 - 21 Sep, 2025

Geof Bradfield Quintet 2025 · Jazz Showcase

Jul 22, 2025

Scott Hesse Trio · Jazz Showcase

About

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