Sat, Dec 20 - 9:30pm - $10

 Sun Stereo is a 6 piece band hailing from Urbana, Illinois, consisting of o1 theatrical flunky and 5 jazz junkies. After graduating with a Musical Theater Composition degree from University of Illinois, Kelly McMorris (music, lyrics, vocals, keys) has been writing music, performing in a plethora of projects, and all the while canvassing the gutters and bowels of churches, saloons, and opera houses for the perfect concoction of thugs and miscreants to transpire his musical vision. In 2010, he reunited with Jesse Greenlee (drums, cymbals, vocals) and began fleshing out the prenatal bones of the first full length album, Rogue Satellite. After it's completion, they tapped the veins of the University of Illinois Jazz program to procure the remaining pieces (Josh Houchin, bass, vocals; Adrian Barnett, bari sax; Euan Edmonds, trombone; Kevin Bourassa, Trumpet; Jon Griffith, bari sax) and bring the album's nuances and grandiose intricacies to life on the stage.

Bumpus and their powerful brand of soul music channels the uplifting energy of Sly & the Family Stone, the funk of James Brown, and the reflective cool of Marvin Gaye. Led by singers James Johnston, Ava Fain and Tina Howell, they bring together big, funky beats, deep bass, lush JB horns, and a heavy organ sound that results in a high-octane, musical funk frenzy.  Bumpus has shared the stage with many of their heroes. Artists such as Dr. John, War, The Roots, Jurassic 5, Maceo Parker, and Fred Wesley.  The band has performed at the prestigious Jazz Aspen Snowmass Festival alongside Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, and Widespread Panic.  Their fourth and most recent album, All the People, won rave reviews and they’re currently hard at work on their fifth album, Step Sure or Step Aside. Bumpus continues to tour throughout the country, while performing at various venues in Chicago and the Midwest.