Diego Rodriguez Big Band featuring Walter Smith II

Diego Rodriguez Big Band featuring Walter Smith II Date: Saturday, February 6th, 2027 Doors: 5:00PM to Venue | 6:30PM to Epiphany Hall Showtime: 7:00PM Tickets: 21+ Advanced - $25 (+$5.13 fees, including tax) 21+ Day of Show - $30 (+$6.57 fees, including tax) 17+ Advanced - $30 (+$6.57 fees, including tax) 17+ Day of Show - $35 (+$7.23 fees, including tax) ‘Service charges apply to ALL ticket purchases (online and box office)’ - Credit card only at door About Diego Rodriguez Big Band: The Diego Rodriguez Big Band (DRBB) is a large jazz ensemble founded in Chicago in 2022 by drummer Diego Rodriguez. Honoring the legacy of Black American Music, the DRBB blends Post-Bop, R&B, and Latin influences with original compositions and unique arrangements, delivering a fresh, dynamic sound to the Chicago jazz scene. This close-knit group of young musicians shares a deep connection that comes through in every performance. The band has performed at the Jazz Showcase, Andy’s Jazz Club, Epiphany Center for the Arts, Fulton Street Collective, and Elmhurst Hall, with festival appearances including the St. Charles Jazz Weekend, Old Quarry Middle School Jazz Festival, and the Chicagoland Classic. Guest artists have included Steve Wilson, Marques Carroll, Jeremy Kahn, Kevin King, Abigail Riccards, Victor Garcia, Tom Garling, and Kellin Hanas. The band is excited to return to Epiphany Center for the Arts with special guest Walter Smith III for a performance featuring an entirely new book of arrangements written exclusively for this collaboration. About Walter Smith III: From an early age, Walter began taking music very seriously. “My first gig was playing at a McDonald's in Houston with another saxophone player. I took a solo on “Blue Bossa.” It was terrible. People clapped, and I figured if I could get away with that and get applause, how could I fail?” Although it may appear Smith is a new voice on the scene, he is widely recognized as an adept performer, accomplished composer, and inspired educator. Smith’s recent release, return to casual, garnered critical acclaim from audiences and critics alike. “return to casual [is] Smith’s deeply poised first album as a leader for Blue Note... The whole enterprise rings of cool sophistication in a small-group style that Smith and his contemporaries helped define... In that sense, return to casual is not just a homecoming of sorts, but also an emphatic confirmation.” In September of 2024, Smith released his sophomore album for Blue Note Records, “three of us are from Houston and Reuben is not”, featuring a new offering of original music. In March of 2026, Smith reprises his acclaimed TWIO concept with the release of TWIO Vol. 2. Smith has developed under the wings of many of the music’s greats. Walter is/has been a member of several influential groups (recording and/or touring), including the Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band, Terence Blanchard Quintet, Eric Harland's “Voyager”, Bill Stewart Trio, Jason Moran’s In My Mind: Monk at Town Hall, Ambrose Akinmusire Quintet, the Christian McBride “Situation”, Marquis Hill “New Gospel Revisited”, Gerald Clayton Quintet, Christian Scott group, and the Sean Jones Quintet to name a few. Smith has performed worldwide, participating in virtually every international festival and famed venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Village Vanguard, and the Kennedy Center. In addition, he has shared the stage and/or appeared on recordings with many important artists including Mulgrew Miller, Billy Childs, Terri Lyne Carrington, Joe Lovano, Herbie Hancock, Maria Schneider, Ron Carter, Ralph Peterson, and a host of others. To date, Walter has appeared on over 100 recordings that have been released worldwide. Originally from Houston, TX, Smith now resides in Boston, MA, and is Chair of Woodwinds at Berklee College of Music, helping to prepare the next generation of young artists. Golden Hour at Epiphany: Stop by Epiphany for our live music series concerts, and be sure to hit Golden Hour before-hand for drinks and lite-bites! Doors open at 5pm Thursday - Saturday for Golden Hour with 1/2 priced bottles of wine, BOGO cocktails, and other specials! Come early to EXPLORE and DISCOVER your own EPIPHANY our art galleries are open and there is free entertainment before the show! Please note that outside food or beverages are not permitted in the venue.