New Arts Jazztet, from left, Jimmy Beers, Dick Kelley, Phil Brown, Bob Allison and Isaac Lausell. (Photo by Jim Womack)
May 05, 2025
New Arts Jazztet album release is Friday
The New Arts Jazztet is taking the stage at 7 p.m. Friday, May 9, for the opening night of the Friday Night Block Party Series at Brews Brothers Taproom, 1105 Chestnut St., Murphysboro. The event is also the album release for bassist Phil Brown’s fifth album, “Rule of Three,” which features the group and was released nationally in April.
Regarded as the region’s premier jazz group, the New Arts Jazztet presents a select repertoire of “engaging original works as well as choice standards forged in the energy of neo bop and the eclecticism of contemporary jazz.” With its hip, approachable character and sound, the cross-generational group — saxophone, trumpet, guitar, bass and drums — convincingly serves to sustain jazz in the 21st century.
Since 1984, the NAJ has been in residence at SIU Carbondale, where all but one of its current members are active or retired SIU School of Music faculty. The lineup is Dick Kelley, reeds; Bob Allison, trumpet/flugelhorn; Isaac Lausell, guitars; Phil Brown, bass, and Jimmy Beers, drums/percussion. More information can be found on the New Arts Jazztet Facebook page.