In celebration of the Whistler’s 15th anniversary, we welcome back to our stage the very first band to ever perform at the Whistler in 2008: Matt Ulery’s Loom.

• Russ Johnson — trumpet 

• Geof Bradfield — tenor and bass clarinet 

• Wes Dziedzic — piano 

• Jon Deitemyer — drums 

• Matt Ulery — double bass and compositions

Matt Ulery has developed an instantly recognizable sound. Known for his sweeping lyricism, unconventional phrase structures, expressionistic emotionalism, Ulery’s music, from small, diverse chamber ensembles to full orchestras, is informed by the entire spectrum of jazz, classical, rock, and folk – specifically American, South American, Balkan, and European folk styles.

Matt Ulery leads and composes all the music for several of his own ensembles, including Sifting Stars Orchestra (orchestral art songs), Loom Large (jazz big band), Loom (jazz quintet), Delicate Charms (jazz quintet), Pollinator (jazz brass band), By a Little Light Ensemble (chamber jazz nonet), string quintet, and various other pet projects. 

Ulery has produced and released 15 albums of original music and his groups have performed at Carnegie Hall, NYC Winter Jazz Festival, Pritzker Pavilion, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago Jazz Fest, Hyde Park Jazz Fest, Chicago World Music Fest, Vancouver Jazz Fest, Guimaraes Jazz Fest, and countless other venues. In addition to performing, recording, and writing, Ulery is on faculty at Loyola University Chicago and gives masterclasses and clinics nationwide and beyond.

Whistler Records released “The Queen” by Matt Ulery’s Loom in 2010.

Photo by Devin Ulery