Isaiah J. Thompson leads his trio, IT’s Freedom, with virtuoso playing and solid technique, coupled with the confidence of a born band leader. Jazz aficionados will notice homages to the greats throughout the performance, but very much appreciate the trio’s fresh, original approach. Thompson, still in his 20’s, displays a serious understanding of past masters, with a hard-swinging rhythmic approach and a harmonic palette informed by jazz, gospel, and blues. 

Thompson will be joined by saxophonist and composer Zoe Obadia and bassist Felix Moseholm. Obadia’s impressive resume includes appearances with Wynton Marsalis, the Mingus Big Band, Christian McBride, Antonio Hart, Dave Stryker, Diane Schuur, and Bill Charlap - a roster all the more impressive for coming at the beginning of Obadia’s career. Based in New York but hailing from Copenhagen, Moseholm started out as a cellist but, inspired by his granduncle, took up the bass about ten years in. Moseholm tours internationally and has shared a stage with Brad Mehldau, Alvin Queen, Rodney Green, Jorge Rossy, Alex Riel, Joe Farnsworth, and Frank Lacy.

The Black History Month series is sponsored by Ruthie Oland Real Estate, Davis Financial, and Living in the Light of Rare Diseases, and is co-presented with the David Ruggles Center.