IRIS is comprised of Arman Sangalang, Kirby Fellis, Austyn Menk, Morgan Turner and Paul Barrilles. The group was formed out of four peers’ mutual desire to fuse jazz subgenres, such as hard bop and post bop, with a modern aesthetic. Inspired by their wide range of influences, like Mulgrew Miller, Art Blakey, Sonny Rollins, and Walter Smith III, their compositions aim to search for life’s answers through music.

• Arman Sangalang - tenor saxophone

• Kirby Fellis - trombone

• Austyn Menk - piano

• Morgan Turner - bass

• Paul Barrilles - drums

Arman Sangalang is a saxophonist, composer, and educator based in Chicago. As a performer, Arman has been a notable sideman on various projects for Kabir Dalawari, Zachary Finnegan, Camila Mennitte, and Jameson Scriver’s Reckoner. Throughout his career, he’s had the honor of sharing the stage with notable jazz artists such as Matt Ulery, Dave Miller, Reggie Thomas, Bobby Broom, Dave Stryker, and countless others. In addition to being a sideman, Arman leads his own quartet which feature his original compositions. In 2022, his quartet — featuring Dave Miller, Matt Ulery and Devin Drobka — performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival.

Every Wednesday at the Relax Attack Jazz Series, we present Chicago’s top jazz artists in a lively atmosphere, full of cocktail-shaking and spirited conversation.