This upcoming album features a remarkable crew of distinguished Chicagoans: Avreeayl Ra, Ed Wilkerson, Fred Jackson, Ishmael Ali, and special guest Jim Baker.

The group performed a number of shows over early post pandemic and began to develop a shared language and group aesthetic. This album captures the essence of one of those performances recorded at the Hungry Brain in May of 2022, where we played two sets of music, with Jim joining for the second.

??? highlights the distinct qualities of each member. Fred’s methodical approach to melody, Ed Wilkerson’s relentless dynamism, Jim’s uncanny ability to subvert expectations, and Avreeayl’s inescapable rhythm, which weaves through the music—shaping everything from textured explorations to intense grooves to wild improvisations.

Fred Jackson - alto sax, percussion
Ed Wilkerson - tenor sax, alto clarinet, didgeridoo
Ishmael Ali - cello
Jim Baker - piano
Avreeayl Ra - drum set

Recorded on March 6, 2022 at Hungry Brain in Chicago by Ishmael Ali and Geoff Lewis. Mixed and mastered by Ishmael Ali and Bill Harris.