About this Event

Ryan Bills is a recent Chicago transplant, raised in the vibrant jazz community of Detroit, but quickly becoming immersed within the rich Chicago jazz tradition. Steeped in the tradition of the tenor saxophone, Ryan has committed himself to engaging with to the language and community of jazz music, crediting the mentorship of Detroit legends: Wendell Harrison, Dwight Addams, Jeff Pedraz and the mentorship of Chicago masters: Isaiah Spencer, Charles Heath and Marques Carroll as among the many jazz greats who he has been fortunate to work with. This newest quartet is a partnership with two of those mentors: Isaiah Spencer and Jeff Pedraz. Both musicians are masters of the form and have had profound impacts on Ryans musical development. This quartet, filled out by guitarist Ben Crino, showcases that mastery in an exciting blend of jazz styles that brings together multiple generations of music that is both forward looking, and steeped in the tradition.