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!

“What goes through your mind as you sit in the sanctuary and look around?

As I sit in my pew and look up at the cross with the wonderful light illuminating it, I am reminded of why I am at Westminster on this particular day. The cross reminds me that Christ died for me and, in a sense, I am to do the same in my daily life. The brightness of the cross illustrates for me the brightness of living my life in the way of Christ.”