Kalia Vandever live in Chicago

Experience Kalia Vandever live on September 3rd

Kalia Vandever is a trombonist and composer whose work blends elements of jazz, experimental music, and Black American musical traditions. Her compositions often explore themes of ancestral connection, spirituality, and collective liberation, frequently incorporating improvisation and extended techniques on the trombone. She has released albums as a leader including “Ancestral Recall” (2023) and has collaborated with artists across a diverse range of genres.

Sound And Gravity is an annual festival in Chicago dedicated to showcasing innovative and experimental music, with a particular focus on creative improvisation and boundary-pushing instrumental work. The 2026 iteration features a curated program highlighting both established figures and emerging voices within the contemporary music scene. This year’s festival notably emphasizes performances in varied configurations – solo sets alongside collaborative ensembles – as reflected in the event’s subtitle “Solo And W/ Chris Ryan Williams Vibration Trio.”

Chris Ryan Williams is a pianist and composer known for his own explorations in improvisational jazz and his work fostering community through music. His Vibration Trio performs original compositions rooted in spiritual jazz aesthetics.