Gretchen R. Iben Arts Series Presents:

The HAT Trio

Sunday | March 9 | 4:00 p.m.

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, Brazilian music with the Champaign-based Samba Soul, to the poly-stylistic approach of the Champaign-based Almost “A” Quintet.

The group’s pianist Whitney Ashe has performed with jazz luminaries Vincent Herring, Eric Alexander, and Tommy Igoe and has composed for The Capitol Saxophone Quartet, Christopher Creviston and The Rivertown Duo.

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 trio began performing as a unit in Macomb, Illinois where all three are professors of music at Western Illinois University.

View the full program here!

“Why am I a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church?  Two words keep  floating up in a rather persistent way  –  “home” and  “family” – and I realized that it is an inescapable fact that is what this church means to me. During my 40 years here, so many life events have happened and Westminster has been there for me through all those times – good and bad.    It has been my home and family.  They say “home is where the heart is” and I’ve found the heart of Westminster to be as open and warm as a family’s!”