Evanston Jazz: ‘Donovan’s Garage’ Launches Winter Shows with ‘Trio Bien’

Jazz guitarist Donovan Mixon, whose ‘Donovan’s Garage’ Jazz events bring the finest Chicago Jazz players to Evanston for free performances, opens its winter season with a show that will feature Mixon on guitar teaming up with the Chicago jazz group ‘Trio Bien.’

The show, which is free and open to the public, will be held at the former First Church of Christ Scientist, which is across the street from the Willard School in Evanston.

This will be the first collaboration between Mixon and ‘Trio Bien.’  Most of the music, described as “lively and infectious” will be jazz compositions composed by pianist Jeff Kier and bassist Edo Castro with one or two additions from Donovan. The music will feature a wide range of influences–Brazilian, African, and Middle Eastern, with some featuring odd time signatures – 7/4,  5/4, 11/4 and lots of improvisation.

Every ‘Donovan’s Garage’ performance features a different grouping of Chicago jazz players, with the common thread being the guitar work of Mixon.  A special feature of every show is the informal interaction among the players, giving an inside look at how the conversation of jazz comes together, adding up to a memorable performance by highly accomplished musicians.