The Custer Beacon, in partnership with the Custer Area Arts Council welcomes Alex Massa’s Water Music, a coalition of highly talented musicians with an inclination towards clean water activism and excellent jazz playing.
In 2020, The Water Music project began with the intention of calling attention to the crisis and the concerns of communities facing poisonous threats to their water. Today, the call for ecological awareness and water resource protection is just as piercing, and these cats come in peace to help you hear what it’s all about through their music.
"Roiled and smoldered with avant-garde and post-bop undercurrents, Water Music is modeled with activist ethos and considerably sparky playing.” jazztrail.net
Alexander Massa, trumpet, aims to create a sense of belonging wherever he travels. Born here in South Dakota, he has worked with acts by the likes of The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, The Chicago Jazz Orchestra, The Nth Power, Samantha Fish, TrumpetMafia, and more. He also tours and performs with his own projects including The Fat Trio, Water Music, Strange Winds, and Alex Massa Plays Well With Others.
Isaiah Spencer, drums, has been a mainstay on the Chicago scene since the late 90’s. He is a performer, composer, educator and mentor, and has devoted his life as such. In addition to his own groups, he is best known for his time with Fred Anderson, Willie Pickens, Von Freeman, and many more.
Anton Hatwich, bass, moved to Chicago in the early 2000’s and has been there ever since. He has performed at many major jazz festivals around the world, and collaborated with a long list of musicians, notably Frank Rosaly, Keefe Jackson, Russ Johnson, and many more. He is also a recent father.
Mai Sugimoto, alto saxophone, is a saxophonist, composer, and active member of Chicago’s jazz and improvisational music scene. Sugimoto draws inspiration from her upbringing in Japan and her roots in jazz to compose and perform from her unique multicultural experience. Born/Raised, her debut album (Asian Improvs Records, 2018), explores this cultural and musical binary.
Artie Black, tenor saxophonist, co-leads the ensemble Black Diamond, and can also be heard in groups led by Gustavo Cortiñas, Tony Do Rosario, Greg Artry, Kathy Kelly, and more. A recent endeavor of his an apprenticeship and collaboration with Indian tabla master Sandip Burman.
