To a remarkable degree, Shawn Maxwell has the urge—a quality fundamental to those who create improvised music on a nightly basis. In this way, it is not enough to simply create, but the need to innovate that guides each note. His art lies in addressing the ordinary modalities of life in an extraordinary way, placing notes in their most complimentary places with precision and enthusiasm. Of course, there’s the way he plays. Maxwell’s style was built around swelling harmonic runs while painting complex melodies across an expansive canvas. Each harmony he creates is purposeful in form as well as function.

By all accounts, Shawn Maxwell formed his style early on the tough and tumultuous streets of Joliet, Illinois. From the time a saxophone first touched his lips, Maxwell knew that music was his calling. With conviction and abilities that belied his age, it was equally clear to others that Shawn Maxwell was destined to be a musician. He quickly became a celebrated performer in the Joliet Central High School band program where his prowess as a soloist was on regular display. Shawn further refined his art in a post-secondary setting, absorbing all that his instructors could teach – earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Millikin University in 1999. Shawn then signed with the prestigious and legendary Conn-Selmer Company to join their Performance and Educational Artist Roster.

After starting his professional career touring Internationally, across the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, Maxwell returned home to conquer the Windy City. With equal parts genius and toil, Maxwell has become one the preeminent performers in the Chicago jazz landscape. His multi-instrumental talents have been lauded by fellow musicians and critics alike.

TS3 (Timothy Seisser Trio) is thrilled to announce the release of their debut album, “It’s Just O.K.”. This new project from Chicago based Electric Bassist, Timothy Seisser, is a unique sonic mashup of Jazz/Rock/Fusion, featuring Seisser’s dazzling virtuosity on the 6 string electric bass. He is one of the best kept secrets in the Bass world, but sports a performance/recording history as a sideman that puts him at the top of the list in the Chicago Bass world. Ready to take on the leader role again, Tim started this new trio at the onset of 2020, after a chance encounter with legendary Bassist, Tim Lefebvre. The trio is rounded out by longtime friends and fellow Chicago collaborators, Drummer Jonathan Marks (Hey Champ, Monakr, Dessa, Liquid Soul, Lupe Fiasco) and Keyboardist Andrew Lawrence (Bonelang, Bonzo Squad, District 97).

TS3 is joined on this record by some of the jazz/improv world elite, including Donny McCaslin, Fareed Haque, Howard Levy and Tim Lefebvre. The production work and added electric bass work of Lefebvre is especially notable. The collaboration between Bassists makes for a truly unique sounding project, especially when finished with the stellar mixing and mastering work of top L.A. engineer, Marc Nelson. Lefebvre’s endorsement on the project will surely make some in the bass world step up, and discover Seisser’s unique approach to the Electric Bass.

The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down of the band that loves fusion and loud jazz. Gitchagumi plays jazz of every era, from the early days of be-bop, to post bop, to latin, to soul and funk, to more contemporary artists. If you like jazz at all, this band has something for you. Featuring alumni of such Chicago bands as Family Lifted, The East Village Project, Pala, Fat Time, Starcandy, P-1, Smittyvision, The F-Word, and the Powers that Be, Gitchagumi is a tree with many branches and deep roots.