Jazz aficionados are in for a treat when The Wee Trio takes the Dunham Hall Theater stage at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 17 for the next SIUE Arts & Issues program.
When The Wee Trio burst onto the scene in 2008 with their release “Capitol Diner, Vol. 1,” the group received international attention and was considered one of the top 10 albums of the year by The San Francisco Chronicle, Boston’s Patriot Ledger and “All About Jazz.”
Marcus Crowder of The Sacramento Bee noted that “The Wee Trio is the kind of band that undermines conventional expectations of what a jazz group is, besides being outstanding musicians. . . one of the few jazz bands that started out with as much love for Nirvana as Monk.”
The trio, which calls both Nashville and New York City home, tours around the world and features James Westfall on vibraphone, Jared Schonig on drums and SIUE’s own 2002 music grad Dan Loomis on bass.
Loomis’ biography on his website details his St. Louis musical roots, noting that under the guidance of early mentors Reggie Thomas and Tom Kennedy, Loomis “learned the fundamental importance of groove and sound and came away with the firm commitment to music-making that reaches people on a heart level.”
It further notes that Loomis went on to do his graduate work at Eastman School of Music and by then his playing was already receiving national attention for his The Very Tall Band which was made up of Loomis and his Eastman compatriots.
Later Loomis formed the Dan Loomis Quartet which released two albums and toured the U.S. extensively for much of 2006 and 2007.
Over the years Loomis has been busy leading his own projects and working as a sideman in New York which has allowed him to work with a vast number of artists and play in some of New York’s prestigious venues.
Since collaborating with The Wee Trio in 2008, the group has released five albums. Their debut album, “Capitol Diner, Vol. 1” created an immediate stir in the music world. They followed it up with their second album, “Capitol Diner, Vol. 2, Animal Style” in 2010.”
In 2012, The Wee Trio unveiled their third recording and boldest project to date, “Ashes To Ashes: A David Bowie Intraspective,” which re-imagined the iconic work of David Bowie and introduced The Wee Trio to an entirely new audience.
“Even with the success of their studio albums the band still found it’s most compelling outlet in their live performances, so in 2013 they released “Live at The Bistro,” a document of an incredible weekend at St. Louis’ premier club,” Loomis’ website adds.
In 2016, The Wee Trio released their fifth recording, “Wee + 3.” The Wee Trio website describes this recording as “featuring three musicians who are near and dear to the members of the Trio; the legendary trumpeter/composer Nicholas Payton (tracks 4, 5 & 6), guitarist/composer Nir Felder (tracks 1, 10 & 11), and pianist/composer Fabian Almazán (tracks 2, 3 & 9). Inviting guests to join this established, working group was born out of the band’s collective love of collaboration.”
“Wee + 3 is an album about relationships,” the website further states. “Dan Loomis is from Middle America, Jared Schonig is from the West Coast and James Westfall is from the South. Together they have traveled to every corner of the country and the songs on this album celebrate their individual roots and their travels together. The bonds that The Wee Trio formed as a band happened very soon after they all moved to New York City and has strengthened over the years,” the website further notes. It’s clear that The Wee Trio is making a name for themselves and their performance at SIUE on Oct. 17 will be one not to miss.
Not only will this show be featuring Loomis, an SIUE alum, but the SIUE Jazz faculty will be opening the show. The Wee Trio is sponsored by Scott Credit Union.
Arts & Issues tickets can be ordered on-line at artsandissues.com or in-person at the Morris University Center (MUC) Welcome Desk. The MUC Welcome Desk is open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The Welcome Desk is closed on Sunday. To place your order by phone call 1-866-698-4253.