The Westerlies, “an arty quartet…mixing ideas from jazz, new classical, and Appalachian folk” (New York Times) are a New York-based brass quartet comprised of Riley Mulherkar and Chloe Rowlands on trumpet, and Andy Clausen and Addison Maye-Saxon on trombone. From Carnegie Hall to Coachella, The Westerlies navigate a wide array of venues and projects with the precision of a string quartet, the audacity of a rock band, and the charm of a family sing-along. Formed in 2011, the self-described “accidental brass quartet” takes its name from the prevailing winds that travel from the West to the East. “Skilled interpreters who are also adept improvisers” (NPR’s Fresh Air), The Westerlies explore jazz, roots, and chamber music influences to create the rarest of hybrids: music that is both "folk-like and composerly, lovely and intellectually rigorous” (NPR Music). 

We are very excited to host The Westerlies on the NMU campus as part of a collaboration with the NMU Jazz Festival.  Their Thursday evening Siril Concert will also serve as the opening concert of the 2026 NMU Jazz Festival.  The members of the ensemble will serve as clinicians for visiting high school and middle school bands attending the Festival, and they will also be featured individually as guest soloists with NMU Jazz Ensembles during the Friday evening Jazz Festival Concert!

The Westerlies!

Northern Michigan University

It’s not every day that a group establishes a new ensemble concept in jazz, but The Westerlies have pulled off this rare feat with style, polish and abundant curiosity. Featuring trumpeters Riley Mulherkar and Chloe Rowlands and trombonists Andy Clausen and Addison Maye-Saxon, the New York-based brass quartet has sailed from Carnegie Hall to Coachella, gracefully navigating a wide array of venues and projects with the intense calibration of a string quartet, the audacity of an indie rock band, and the welcoming spirit of a family sing-along. They make their SFJAZZ bow with this intimate show.

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The Westerlies

SFJAZZ Center

The Westerlies are a New York-based brass quartet comprised of Riley Mulherkar and Chloe Rowlands on trumpet and Andy Clausen and Addison Maye-Saxon on trombone. From Carnegie Hall to Coachella, The Westerlies navigate a wide array of venues and projects with the precision of a string quartet, the audacity of a rock band, and the charm of a family sing-along.

Somerville Theatre

Composer/singer-songwriter Gabriel Kahane returns as guest curator once again for the tenth season of PIVOT. Kahane’s work exists at the intersection of art and social practice, and he is one of the most thoughtful—and thought-provoking—artists of his generation. He will perform opening night and host all three evenings of deliciously ingenious music brimming with thought, humor—both dark and light—and substance.

PIVOT Festival 2

War Memorial and Performing Arts Center

The Westerlies will present a program inspired by the tradition of American shape-note music.

BONUS: The Westerlies

Hamilton College

In partnership with Eagle Valley Outdoor Movement, Bravo! Vail welcomes you to a relaxed afternoon Music Box concert at Lake Creek Village featuring a performance by The Westerlies this July. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic to enjoy the best of summer in Colorado with Bravo! Vail.

Bravo! Vail Music Box IV

Lake Creek Village

Bravo! Vail welcomes you to a relaxed afternoon Music Box concert at Freedom Park featuring a performance by The Westerlies this July. Bring your lawn chairs and picnic to enjoy the best of summer in Colorado with Bravo! Vail.

Bravo! Vail Music Box II

Edwards Field House

The Westerlies, “an arty quartet…mixing ideas from jazz, new classical and Appalachian folk,” (New York Times) is a New York-based brass quartet founded by childhood friends from Seattle and including Riley Mulherkar and Chloe Rowlands on trumpet, and Andy Clausen and Addison Maye-Saxon on trombone. From Carnegie Hall to Coachella, The Westerlies navigate a wide array of venues and projects with the precision of a string quartet, the audacity of a rock band and the charm of a family sing-along. Formed in 2011, the self-described “accidental brass quartet” takes its name from the prevailing winds that travel from the west to the east. “Skilled interpreters who are also adept improvisers” (NPR’s Fresh Air), The Westerlies explore jazz, roots and chamber music influences to create the rarest of hybrids: music that is both “folk-like and composerly, lovely and intellectually rigorous” (NPR Music). The ensemble has produced numerous critically acclaimed albums of genre-defying music

Prairie Winds Festival with KU Wind Ensemble, The Prairie Winds Band, The Westerlies, and more.

University of Kansas

TICKETS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE AUGUST 2 at 8:00 AM MDT. Designed to educate and engage, the free Family Concerts at Tippet Rise explore instruments, composers, history, and themes in an interactive performance. On Sunday, September 10, the remarkable brass quartet The Westerlies will present their highly participatory program “Music & Emotions,” which they created to demonstrate the power of music to evoke emotions and inspire imaginations. Education and community engagement are core elements of The Westerlies’ mission and each season the ensemble inspires thousands of students around the country with their innovative assemblies and masterclasses. Each family concert performance is preceded by an “instrument petting zoo,” in which children are encouraged to make sounds with string instruments and enjoy making the magic of music.

Free Family Concert: The Westerlies

Tippet Rise Art Center

The remarkable brass quartet The Westerlies will lead guests in the second Wander concert of the 2023 season, moving between three sites located within the main Cottonwood Campus. Known as “skilled interpreters who are also adept improvisers” (NPR’s Fresh Air), The Westerlies will fittingly present a program featuring two contemporary works composed originally not for brass, but for piano and string. Beginning at Iron Tree by Ai Weiwei, members Riley Mulherkar and Chloe Rowlands (trumpet) and Andy Clausen and Willem de Koch (trombone) will perform singer, songwriter, and pianist Robin Holcomb’s Wherein Lies the Good, a centerpiece of the quartet’s 2020 album of the same name. From Iron Tree, guests and musicians alike will walk along a flat, gravel path to Patrick Dougherty’s Daydreams/Cursive Takes a Holiday to experience Entr’acte by Pulitzer Prize-winner composer Caroline Shaw. The performance concludes a short distance away, under the canopy of Francis Kéré’s Xylem, with This is Water by the Westerlies own trombonist Andy Clausen.

Wander series: The Westerlies

The Westerlies, “an arty quartet…mixing ideas from jazz, new classical, and Appalachian folk” (New York Times) are a New York-based brass quartet comprised of childhood friends from Seattle: Riley Mulherkar and Chloe Rowlands on trumpet, and Andy Clausen and Willem de Koch on trombone.

Argyros Performing Arts Center

ECCO: East Coast Chamber Orchestra

Central Park

Join us for an evening with pianist and composer Conrad Tao. It’s part of our new series showcasing some of today’s most acclaimed and innovative musical artists.

The Westerlies

Mar 19, 2026

The Westerlies!

Mar 14, 2026

The Westerlies

The Westerlies