Mars Williams was a legend of the Chicago music world for decades, a musician and bandleader whose impact stretched across the globe. To celebrate what would have been Mars’ 70th birthday on May 29, and to launch the Mars Williams Archive now being hosted at Experimental Sound Studio, musicians in the community are coming together for a series of public events.

Sunday, May 25th: @ Experimental Sound Studio | 3-5 pm
5925 N Ravenswood Avenue

Opening reception for the Mars Williams Archive
FREE

This afternoon we invite the general public to come and check out the work happening at Experimental Sound Studio around Mars Williams’ extensive collection of recordings in every imaginable format, dating back to the mid-70’s.  This collection not only represents Mars’ own work, but that of a global community of improvisers with whom Mars worked.  Whether it’s concerts from the Creative Music Studio in Woodstock, NY in the 70’s, live recordings of Liquid Soul from Chicago’s Double Door in the 90’s, or an Albert Ayler Xmas in Ukraine in the mid-2010’s, it’s all here.

Join us down the street at May Chapel at 2pm before the reception for a concert featuring new composition by Lia Kohl, utilizing Mars’ toy instrument collection.

Additional events in the Music from Mars weekend take place May 24th at Constellation and Hungry Brain; check their calendars for details.