Christopher Lucas Wilson Trio

About this event

TICKETS are $15 General/$6 Student. Concert is one long set. End time is approximately 9:00 pm.

Composer and pianist Christopher Lucas Wilson leads his trio in a program centered on original contemporary compositions from the forthcoming recording, Wilson's Way (2026), alongside selected works from the swing and bebop tradition. Rooted in the traditions of blues, swing, and the jazz piano trio, the project reflects five years of musical collaboration between Wilson, bassist Alex Austin, and drummer Isaiah Spencer. Balancing thoughtful composition with expressive improvisation, the trio presents a contemporary artistic voice while honoring the enduring traditions of jazz in an intimate listening environment.

Christopher Lucas Wilson - piano

Alex Austin - bass

Isaiah Spencer - drums

Website: www.theCLWTrio.com

Wilson’s Way homepage: https://theclwtrio.com/wilsons-way

Video: https://theclwtrio.com/video

The performance will feature music from Wilson’s fourth album as a leader, Wilson’s Way , released October 9, 2026. Recorded in Chicago, the album presents five original compositions, two reimagined standards, and a solo piano interpretation of music by Mexican songwriter José Alfredo Jiménez.

Moving between blues-inflected swing, spacious ballads, and energetic ensemble playing, the trio's music emphasizes feel, melodic improvisation, and the chemistry developed through performing together. Wilson’s Way represents a confident continuation of Wilson’s musical voice while remaining closely connected to the traditions that shaped him.

Christopher Lucas Wilson is a hard-swingin’ jazz pianist, originally hailing from metropolitan Detroit. His musical journey brought him to Los Angeles for a decade before he eventually settled in Chicago, where he continues to perform, record, and hone his craft.

Christopher was first introduced to music on a Grinnell Brothers piano in his parents’ living room as a young child. It was the enlightening and liberating sound of swing that first drew Christopher to jazz. That feeling sparked an exploration of Detroit’s rich musical history, a city long known for its legacy of musical legends. He first studied with the late greats Bess Bonnier and Marcus Belgrave and would proceed to join the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Civic Jazz Program, where he met esteemed bassist and educator Rodney Whitaker. By the time he graduated high school, Christopher was steeped in swing and bebop and went on to further his studies in the jazz program at Michigan State University.

At Michigan State, he had the opportunity to study and perform with Rodney Whitaker, Wess “Warmdaddy” Anderson, Derrick Gardner, Vincent Chandler, Randy Gilespie, Diego Rivera, and Rick Roe. Upon graduation, Christopher began performing with his trio throughout Detroit, including as a host of the weekly jam session at the historic Baker’s Keyboard Lounge. A year later, he relocated to sunny, swingin’ Los Angeles, where he fell in love with Southern California and spent nearly a decade performing, composing, and recording. During that time, he led his trio regularly and released two albums: Feelin’ Better and Leaving Los Angeles.

Christopher moved to Chicago in 2019 and is honored to be part of yet another city with a storied musical heritage. Following the critically praised Solemn Moments (2023), his fourth album, Wilson’s Way, marks the recorded debut of his current working trio.

Influenced by the blues, hard swing, bebop, and the rich lineage of jazz piano trios—Christopher’s music celebrates the uplifting nature of swing and the beauty of the jazz piano trio. His arrangements are thoughtful, his touch lyrical, and his energy contagious.

Alex Austin was born and raised in Peoria, Illinois. Early in life, he discovered a love for jazz music, particularly the jazz bass, and began performing professionally in the Peoria area alongside bandmates Doug Stone and Greg Ward.

In 1998, Alex moved to the Chicago area to study under Professor Ron Carter and Marlene Rosenberg at Northern Illinois University. He graduated in 2003 and relocated to the city, quickly becoming a prominent figure in Chicago's jazz scene. Over the past 25 years, Alex has served as a Professor of Jazz Bass at Valparaiso University and performed at numerous jazz, folk, and world music festivals, including the Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival,

Java Jazz in Indonesia, Chicago Jazz Festival, Elkhart Jazz Festival, JVC Jazz in New York City, and many more.

He has been a mainstay in Chicago's top music venues, such as the Green Mill, Winters, Andy’s, California Clipper, Martyrs’, and Dorian’s. Currently, Alex tours and records with renowned musicians like guitar virtuoso Fareed Haque (Mathgames!, Funk Brothers, Flat Earth Ensemble, Casseus Tribute, Pat Martino Tribute), Honduran songwriter Chalie Baran (Radio Free Honduras), the acid jazz trio Imperial Boxmen, Marbin, and guitar hero Marcus Rezak (Shred is Dead, Marcus Rezak Band).

Locally, he enjoys collaborating with Jo Ann Daugherty’s "Better Together," the Chicago Soul Jazz Collective, Bruce Henry, Abigail Riccards, Kimberly Gordon, Michele Thomas, Christopher Wilson, and many of Chicago’s finest jazz, funk, and Latin musicians

Isaiah Spencer was born in Chicago, Illinois. Isaiah attended George Manierre Elementary for grade school. In third grade, he joined the elementary school band. The drums were occupied for his first 3 years, so he played trumpet in the band for this period of time. Isaiah played drums in church on Sundays during this time. During the start of fifth grade, Isaiah got his opportunity to play drums in the band and excelled. His rapid growth led his band director to recommend him to the MERIT music program, a program for grade and high school students who excel in music to study with

professionals in the music field. Isaiah received a tuition-free scholarship to attend The MERIT school.

Isaiah attended Lincoln Park High School, and was accepted into the Fine Arts Program. He studied music theory and harmony, as well as concert band and orchestra. During his sophomore year he joined the jazz band. Isaiah began to adapt quickly and was recommended to the All-City jazz band where he studied with Dr. Curtis Prince, a well known educator and musician in the Chicago Public School system. He also was part of other well known music programs such as the Ravinia Jazz in the schools program, where he studied with Ernie Adams and Dana Hall. Isaiah was also a part of the Gallery 37 program at the South Shore Cultural Center, where he studied with the world renowned educator Professor Ronald Carter, the current head of the jazz department at Northern Illinois University.

Isaiah attended Roosevelt University for two years, majoring in music performance. He left to pursue music more intensely. After leaving college, Isaiah joined a residency sponsored by Meet The Composers and the Chicago Park District called Live the Spirit. This program enables student musicians to learn more about music composition and the relationship between jazz and other genres such as hip-hop, classical, and blues.

Since 1998, Isaiah has been an active figure in the Chicago scene, while being recognized as one of the young lions like his counterparts and childhood friends Maurice Brown, Corey Wilkes, and Kevin Nabors. His musical prowess and versatility has led him to musicians such as Fred Anderson, William Parker, Roy Hargrove, Donald Harris, Wynton Marsalis, Cyrus Chestnut, Johnny O’Neil, Ernest Dawkins, and David Murray, as well as more traditional figures including Clark Terry, Von Freeman, Curtis Fuller, George Freeman, and many others.

Concerts and events made possible, in part, with support from the Wells Fargo Philanthropic Services Private Trust Foundations, which include grants from the Stanley A. and Flora P. Clark Memorial Community Trust Foundation, the John, Anna, and Martha Jane Fields Memorial Trust Foundation, and the Florence V. Carroll Charitable Trust. Special concert event support provided by the Arts Midwest Grow, Invest, Gather (GIG) Fund grant (2022-2023 season). Activities are made possible in part by the Arts Organization Support (AOS), Indiana Arts Commission, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

Concerts and events made possible, in part, with support from The Esther and George Jaruga Charitable Foundation (2020-2023 seasons). The Student and Home Grown Series concerts made possible, in part, with support from the ArtsEverywhere Grant from the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County, and the Arts Project Support Grant and the Arts Recovery Grant through the Indiana Arts Commission.