21+. 9pm.

Brian Citro Organ Trio

ft. Nate Lepine

Brian Citro, guitar and compositions

Nate Lepine, tenor saxophone and flute

Tom Vaitsas, organ

Isaiah Spencer, drums

A 2027 Illinois Arts Council grantee, guitarist and composer Brian Citro has been playing and writing music for 30+ years. He studied with renowned guitarist Fareed Haque and is a longtime member of The Drastics. Described by All About Jazz as “a proficient composer and arranger ... with flexible and sophisticated harmonic progressions,” Brian has earned a reputation as a songwriter who balances lyricism, fresh harmonies, and unique song structures.

Brian’s new album Keep Moving (Home), on Calligram Records, features his “lyrical yet modern guitar playing” (Fareed Haque) on 14 original compositions performed by his quartet with Nick Mazzarella, Quin Kirchner, and Matt Ulery. Take Effect rated the album 9 out of 10, and Textura observed that “Citro's music rarely sounds like anyone's but his own.”

Nate Lepine is widely recognized as one of Chicago’s most distinctive saxophonists. In addition to leading his own trio, Nate has recorded and toured extensively with indie and alternative rock acts, including Iron & Wine, Cursive, Poi Dog Pondering, Califone, and Smog. Tom Vaitsas is a first-call veteran of the Chicago music scene and former sideman for legendary saxophonist Von Freeman. Isaiah Spencer has earned a reputation for his propulsive, fiery sound and innovative beats performing with Fred Anderson, Buddy Guy, Clark Terry, Roy Hargrove, and many others. The group performs Brian’s compositions and music by Pat Metheny, Frank Ocean, and Todd Rundgren. Watch the trio perform Brian’s composition An Unwelcome Opportunity at The CheckOut in Chicago.

Watch the trio perform Brian’s composition, An Unwelcome Opportunity

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