Ascendant saxophonist Mai Sugimoto launches February residency at the Hungry Brain

The Chicago-based musician will perform two sets every Thursday in February, showcasing her versatility across jazz, improvisation, and experimental music.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 2:15pm

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Mai Sugimoto, a rising star on the Chicago jazz and improvised music scenes, is launching a February residency at the Hungry Brain. Every Thursday, she will perform two sets, sometimes in a duo and other times leading a band. Sugimoto's performances will highlight her probing intelligence and dynamic swing as a saxophonist and composer, drawing from her work with groups like the Hanami Quartet, Natural Information Society Community Ensemble, and her own trio.

Why it matters

Sugimoto's residency at the Hungry Brain provides an opportunity for Chicago audiences to experience the versatility and creativity of one of the city's most ascendant jazz and improvised music artists. Her collaborations with a wide range of musicians, from reedists to percussionists, showcase her ability to push beyond her jazz-rooted vocabulary and help realize the concepts of others.

The details

During her February residency, Sugimoto will present a mix of ongoing relationships and new ideas. Some sets will feature her regular trio with bassist Joshua Abrams and drummer Isaiah Spencer, while others will introduce new configurations, such as a two-bass quartet on February 5 and an all-star saxophone quartet on February 19. Sugimoto's residency will also highlight her incendiary partnership with fellow reedist Fred Jackson Jr. and her work with the collective BYSH, exploring the intersection of jazz, folklore, and experimental music.

  • Every Thursday in February, Sugimoto will perform two sets at the Hungry Brain.

The players

Mai Sugimoto

A Chicago-based alto saxophonist and flutist who has become a ubiquitous presence on the city's jazz and improvised music scenes, leading her own quartet and trio while also collaborating with a wide range of musicians.

Joshua Abrams

A bassist who frequently performs with Sugimoto in her trio.

Isaiah Spencer

A drummer who frequently performs with Sugimoto in her trio.

Fred Jackson Jr.

A reedist who has an incendiary partnership with Sugimoto.

BYSH

A collective that Sugimoto has explored the intersection of jazz, folklore, and experimental music with.

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What they’re saying

“Ever since live music reemerged from COVID lockdown, alto saxophone and flutist Mai Sugimoto has become ubiquitous on Chicago's jazz and improvised music scenes.”

— Bill Meyer, Author (chicagoreader.com)

“She brings to these settings a readiness to push beyond her jazz-rooted vocabulary and help realize the concepts of others.”

— Bill Meyer, Author (chicagoreader.com)

What’s next

Sugimoto's February residency at the Hungry Brain will continue every Thursday throughout the month, providing Chicago audiences with multiple opportunities to experience her versatile and creative performances.

The takeaway

Mai Sugimoto's February residency at the Hungry Brain showcases the ascendance of one of Chicago's most dynamic and versatile jazz and improvised music artists, as she continues to push the boundaries of her craft through collaborations with a wide range of musicians.