TICKETS are $10 General/$5 Student.

Kevin’s latest album, Twilight, released on October 5, 2023. 

Kevin Fort - piano

Jon Deitemyer - drums

Joe Policastro - bass

Kevin Fort has established himself as one of the most in demand pianists on the Chicago jazz scene. Known for his warm touch and virtuosic yet lyrical improvisations, Kevin is a champion of the straight-ahead jazz tradition while embracing modern influences. He has performed and/or recorded with artists such as Bob Brookmeyer, John Clayton, James Moody, Ira Sullivan, Slide Hampton, Phil Woods, Steve Turre, Bill Watrous, Louie Bellson, Harry Allen, George Fludas, Andy Brown, and Makaya McCraven.

Kevin has recorded three albums as a leader. Red Gold (2014) and Perspectives (2022) proved popular with a global audience, garnering over two million streams across streaming services. All About Jazz described Kevin as “one of the young lions of the piano deserving of attention.” Chicago Jazz Magazine said that he displays “thrilling virtuosity and agile, vibrant improvisations.” Kevin’s latest album, Twilight, released on October 5, 2023. Accompanied by bandmates Joe Policastro and Jon Deitemyer, the group pays homage to the classic piano trio albums of the past while incorporating Kevin’s unique take on the art form. Currently, Kevin serves as a faculty member at the Northwestern University Bienen School of Music, where he imparts his passion for jazz to the next generation of emerging artists. Kevin Fort is a Yamaha Artist.

Jon Deitemyer has established himself as a unique and versatile voice in modern jazz drumming. After graduating from the esteemed University of North Texas where he studied with Ed Soph and Lynn Seaton, Jon settled in Chicago and quickly became a fixture in the city's expansive creative music community. Jon has been a member of Greenleaf artist Matt Ulery’s various ensembles since 2006, and currently performs with ArtistShare recording artist Patricia Barber. In addition, Jon has performed and recorded with Zach Brock, Phil Markowitz, Ben Paterson (MaxJazz), Grazyna Auguscik (EMI), Renee Fleming, Lynne Arriale, and American Public Media’s “Prairie Home Companion”. Jon is also an active educator, with positions at Northwestern University and Loyola University Chicago.

Double bassist, composer, and arranger Joe Policastro grew up in the fertile jazz, classical, and popular music scene of Cincinnati, OH. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Jazz/Studio Music from the College Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and his Master of Music in Jazz Studies from DePaul University in Chicago. After performing and recording in Germany, he settled in Chicago quickly establishing himself an in-demand musical voice as both performer and arranger/composer in jazz, theater, and beyond. He has performed and recorded with a wide array of artists such as Sheila Jordan, Diane Schuur, Pat and Debby Boone, Harry Allen, Jeff Hamilton, Howard Levy, Phil Woods, Ira Sullivan, Howard Alden, and David "Fathead" Newman among others. He leads the Joe Policastro Trio, and the group has released five albums since 2013. The band extensively tours, has been featured at numerous jazz festivals, and has even performed for President Obama. He also leads and co-leads the Gerry Mulligan tribute ensembles, Jeru, and the Mulligan Mosaics Big Band and Nonet, both for which he has extensively written and arranged. As composer/arranger, his work can be heard on recordings by artists including Ira Sullivan and the Rob Parton Big Band.  As an educator, he has been a Ravinia Jazz Mentor, a Lecturer of Jazz Studies at DePaul University, a bass instructor at Morton College and the Chicago Academy For The Arts, a jazz director at the Midwest Young Artists Conservatory, and he joined the string faculty at North Park University in 2022.

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.