TICKETS are $15 General/$6 Student. Concert is one long set. End time is approximately 9:00 pm.

Formed in 2020, FLEX Trio is composed of three of Chicago’s finest improvisers: saxophonist Chris Madsen, drummer Neil Hemphill, and two-time Grammy award-winning bassist Clark Sommers. The group interprets songs within and outside of the jazz canon, putting their original stamp on works by Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson, and Jimmy Webb, to name a few. To this end, their debut album Facets of Form (released February 2024) finds the musicians exploring both well-known and more obscure material. FLEX trio has performed extensively in the Chicago area and have held residencies at Dorian's speakeasy.

Chris Madsen - saxophone 

Clark Sommers - bass 

Neil Hemphill - drums

Listen here: https://soundcloud.com/chris-madsen-7/flex-trio-hammerhead/s-Nq5OaoXEJLy?si=615f4ba30f1345b7ad99c99e0805ecff&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Neil Hemphill is a Chicago-based jazz drummer. Originally from Colorado Springs, CO, he began playing drums at the age of 16 where he studied under Henrique De Almeida. After graduating from Fort Lewis College with a bachelors in Music Performance, Neil moved to Denver where he performed, toured, and recorded with Jeff Jenkins, Greg Harris, Kenny Walker and many others. In 2015 Neil moved to Chicago where he has had the opportunity to play, record and tour with Bobby Broom, Richard Johnson, Sharel Cassity, Dennis Carroll, Geof Bradfield, Black Diamond, Greg Ward and many others. Neil recently completed his Masters degree in Jazz Performance at Depaul University where he studied under Dana Hall.

Dr. Christopher Madsen’s credits as a saxophonist include performances and recordings with Paul Simon, Wynton Marsalis, Michael Dease, Marquis Hill, and countless others. He is a published composer with Kendor Music, Inc., the UNC Jazz Press, and Walrus Music. He has taught at Northwestern University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, and is currently Jazz Studies Coordinator at Loyola University Chicago. A graduate of the Juilliard, DePaul University, and University of Illinois music schools, Madsen is also a Vandoren and Conn-Selmer artist and member of the College Music Society, NAfME, National Educator’s Association, and JEN. He has presented clinics, conducted ensembles, and performed around the U.S. and the world. He is one of the most in-demand and versatile saxophonists in Chicago, maintaining an active performance schedule and private studio. For more information, visit www.chrismadsen.net

Clark Sommers

Concerts and events made possible, in part, with support from the Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services Private Trust Foundations, which include grants from the Stanley A. and Flora P. Clark Memorial Community Trust Foundation (2020-2021; 2022-2023 seasons), the John, Anna, and Martha Jane Fields Memorial Trust Foundation (2021-2022; 2022-2023 seasons), and the Florence V. Carroll Charitable Trust (2021-2022; 2022-2023; 2023-2024 seasons). Special concert event support provided by the Arts Midwest Grow, Invest, Gather (GIG) Fund grant (2022-2023 season). Activities are made possible in part by the Arts Organization Support (AOS), Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency (2023-2024 season).

Concerts and events made possible, in part, with support from The Esther and George Jaruga Charitable Foundation (2020-2023 seasons). The Student and Home Grown Series concerts made possible, in part, with support from the ArtsEverywhere Grant from the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, and the Arts Project Support Grant and the Arts Recovery Grant through the Indiana Arts Commission.