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The New Arts Jazztet (NAJ) has long been regarded as southern Illinois' premier jazz group, regularly presenting a select repertoire—engaging original works as well as choice standards—forged in the energy of neo bop and the eclecticism of contemporary jazz. With its hip, approachable character and sound, the cross-generational group—saxophone, trumpet, guitar, bass, and drums—convincingly helps to sustain jazz in the 21st Century.
The NAJ’s club dates have included Cincinnati’s Blue Wisp, Chicago’s Pops for Champagne, and other nightspots around the Midwest. Its concert, clinic, and festival engagements have comprised a number of universities and other performance venues throughout the Heartland. The group has opened twice for Stanley Jordan, and has shared the stage with numerous other jazz artists, most recently with the iconic Charles McPherson and with the sensational Eden Atwood. In 2010, the New Arts Jazztet was invited to perform at the inaugural Jazz Education Network Conference in St. Louis. The group has also performed as part of a live statewide television broadcast, Arts Across Illinois: CenterStage at PBS affiliate, WTTW/Channel 11, Chicago.
Rule of Three (a caldera productions, 2025), the most recent release by NAJ bassist, Phil Brown, features the New Arts Jazztet, and charted nationally. The group has enjoyed nationwide radio airplay and attention on Brown's earlier recordings, Arkadia (2014), Bright Side (2009), and Darkness Into Light (2006).
The NAJ is in residence at Southern Illinois University, where all but one of its members are active or retired School of Music faculty. Its current line-up is Dick Kelley, reeds; Bob Allison, trumpet/flugelhorn; Isaac Lausell, guitars; Phil Brown, bass; and Jimmy Beers, drums/percussion. Each fall, the New Arts Jazztet endeavors to present a formal concert of jazz standards, and each spring, a concert of original music. And since 2019, the group has also performed monthly for Jazz Vespers at Epiphany.
