Heat On [CD]

In a jazz era that bristles with young talent, releasing an album that's sure to be shortlisted for best debut recording of the year is impressive but Chicago drummer and composer Lily Finnegan's consistently enthralling band Heat On album introduces her powerhouse, multi-generational, inside-out quartet. The group features legendary Chicago tenor saxophonist Ed Wilkerson Jr.[of 8 BOLD SOULS], Chi-town alto sax great Fred Jackson Jr., and consummately versatile Nick Macri on upright and electric bass. Finnegan's affirmation of freedom and groove, dissonance, dance and lyricism runs throughout Heat On. In many ways the project embodies the intergenerational nature of the Chicago scene, and Finnegan is both proud and humbled to be joining that history and lineage.