The people behind it
Ben Litwin
Co-founder · Operations
Ben studied Jazz Trumpet Performance at Oberlin College & Conservatory of Music where he studied with Marcus Belgrave, Billy Hart, Gary Bartz, and Robin Eubanks. He completed his BA at the University of Colorado Boulder. Growing up in Minneapolis, Ben was active in the local music scene, a member of the All-State Jazz Ensemble, and performed with Hamline University's Jazz Band in high school. Ben has spent the last decade mostly away from his horn and working as a Program Manager for Colorado Creative Industries in Denver, focusing on supporting arts and culture. He is passionate about helping creative organizations thrive and has provided professional resources and access to funding for numerous non-profit and for-profit ventures.
Joe Hartnett
Co-founder · Saxophone
Joe is a jazz musician and educator with a rich performance background. He holds a B.F.A. in Jazz Performance, from The New School University in NYC. Growing up in the Twin Cities area, he shared the stage with local talents such as Javier Santiago, Miguel Hurtado, Chris Smith, and many others. He has also studied with notable instructors, including Dave Glasser, Jon Gordon, and Tony Malaby, and has played with groups like Raffi Garabedian, Danny Fisher-Lockhead, Brass Magic, Zongo Junction, and the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra. His performances have taken him to venues and festivals like SFJAZZ, Irving Plaza, the Telluride Jazz Festival, and the San Jose Jazz Festival. For nearly a decade, Joe has taught combos and classes at the California Jazz Conservatory, sharing his expertise in saxophone, music theory, and improvisation. He also helped run the Berkeley Jazz Workshops, providing small group jazz lessons for adult musicians in the Berkeley area.
Chris Bates
Co-founder · Bass
Chris is a vital figure in the Minnesota music scene. Raised in a musical household and trained by MN Orchestra bassist James Clute, Chris developed his improvisational skills at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire, performing with acclaimed artists such as Red Rodney and Donald Harrison. After honing his craft and earning a McKnight Composer's Fellowship with Motion Poets, Chris shifted focus to family life before reemerging fully in 2006 as a composer and performer. His debut album, New Hope (2012), garnered critical acclaim, followed by notable projects with The Good Vibes Trio and Atlantis Quartet. His compositions have been performed by big bands and new music ensembles like Zeitgeist, and his recent collaborations include soundtracks, live radio dramas, and teaching engagements at the University of Minnesota Morris. Chris continues to push creative boundaries with numerous recordings and performances, maintaining a dynamic presence across various musical genres.