Damani Phillips to perform with the HAT Trio on Our Front Porch

The Western Illinois Museum, in partnership with the Western Illinois University (WIU) School of Music, is pleased to welcome musician Damani Phillips to perform with the HAT Trio on Friday, April 5th, as part of the Jazz Series being offered at the Museum.  The doors and bar open at 4:30 pm with two sets of music at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.  There is a $5 suggested donation at the door. 

The jazz series, designed by WIU Music Professor Whitney Ashe, brings world-class musicians to connect with WIU music majors as well as perform for the community. The April 5th program brings the accomplished saxophonist Damani Phillips to west central Macomb. Dr. Damani Philips is a native of Pontiac, Michigan, and currently serves as Director of Jazz Studies and Associate Professor of African-American Studies at the University of Iowa. Phillips has earned Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from DePaul University and The University of Kentucky in classical saxophone, a second Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from Wayne State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Jazz Studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder. An active performer, pedagogue, and lecturer, Phillips has taught and performed throughout the world. He has previously served on the faculty of Grinnell College and Oakland University and is actively sought as a guest artist, clinician, adjudicator, and presenter throughout the country. He has performed with artists/groups such as Lewis Nash, Christian McBride, Wycliffe Gordon, Bobby McFerrin, Marcus Belgrave, Terrell Stafford, Hank Jones, Red Holloway, and Pat Bianchi among many others. He has released five albums as a leader and in 2017 published his first book What Is This Thing Called Soul: Conversations on Black Culture and Jazz Education.

Damani will perform with the HAT Trio, a group made up of WIU jazz faculty members Matt Hughes on bass, George Turner on guitar, and Whitney Ashe on piano. This year, the series will include an after-party hosted by WIU students who will take the lead and provide live music. Check social media @WIMuseum and @WIU School of Music for more details about the pop-up after-party.

This program is funded in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, with local funding from the Performing Arts Society.

The Western Illinois Museum is a non-profit organization community hub celebrating and nurturing the history, culture, and traditions of McDonough County, that features exhibits, an open collection, lectures, music, and other programs in a historic building. The Museum is located at 201 S. Lafayette Street, one block south of Macomb’s Courthouse Square. A full schedule of events can be found at wimuseum.org or follow on social media @wimuseum. For further information, call 309-837-2750, text 309-837-2613, or email info@wimuseum.org.

About the HAT Trio

The HAT Trio takes a fresh look at the classic piano, guitar, and bass configuration, drawing on influences from the jazz and classical worlds to explore some of music’s unmarked pathways. Guitarist Dr. George Turner has performed and recorded music, ranging from traditional jazz with some of Illinois’ most established players, contemporary jazz with the Bloomington-based Kevin Hart and the Vibe Tribe, to Brazilian music with the Champaign-based Samba Soul, to the poly-stylistic approach of the Champaign-based Almost “A” Quintet. Bassist Matt Hughes, a veteran of jazz legend Betty Carter’s working band, has performed with Elvin Jones, Jack DeJohnette, Jimmy Heath, Max Weinberg, and the Duke Ellington Orchestra. The group’s pianist Whitney Ashe has performed with jazz luminaries Vincent Herring, Eric Alexander, and Tommy Igoe. He has composed for The Capitol Saxophone Quartet, Christopher Creviston, and The Rivertown Duo. The trio began performing together in Macomb, Illinois, while teaching at Western Illinois University.