Illiana Club of Traditional Jazz

Ed Sullivan plays acoustic bass in The New Deal. He started his musical life while in high school playing electric bass in rock and blues groups, studying jazz privately while living in Chicago. He joined the U.S.Army Band and toured Europe, Southeast Asia and the U.S. performing as a musical ambassador. In 2000 Ed retired from the U.S.Army and returned home to Chicago where he continues to study and perform music. Hire the Vet!!

Teri Foster on clarinet studied music at Bowling Green State and DePaul Universities. In her early career, she played with many Chicago area orchestras and classical ensembles as a freelance clarinetist. Teri found her entry point to gypsy swing in 2013 thanks to Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music, and the “Django in June” festival held annually in Northampton, MA. She currently plays with several gypsy swing groups in the Chicago community.

Kevin Rush, Guitarist. Kevin began playing guitar at the age of 13. Influenced originally by rock and roll guitar greats at an early age he quickly became aware of other styles: classical with Andres Segovia, blues via BB King, and ultimately jazz with Django Reinhardt and Les Paul. Kevin played in various bands throughout High School and College and majored in Classical Guitar Performance at Roosevelt University in Chicago.

Steve Kelly, guitarist, started playing guitar in high school and into college inspired by the contemporary rock music. Eventually he became involved in the local Django scene, initially through classes at The Old Town School of Folk Music and then expanded to the Django in June Festival, resulting in opportunities to perform in Europe. He continues to be deeply involved in the Gypsy jazz community in Chicago, playing in several groups as well as hosting house concerts for touring groups.

To hear this band,go to their facebook page: The New Deal