Isaiah Collier

Isaiah Collier is a multi-instrumentalist and composer from Chicago's South Side, standing out as one of contemporary jazz's most compelling figures with his unique sound. Introduced to the saxophone at age 11, Collier quickly made a name for himself. He won DownBeat Magazine's "Rising Star of the Year" award; released six albums, including *The Almighty*, which landed on The New York Times' 2024 Best Jazz Albums list; and was named Chicago Tribune's Jazz Artist of 2024.

Collier has shared the stage with diverse artists like Chance The Rapper, Wadada Leo Smith, and Angel Bat Dawid, and is also known as the bandleader of his own group, The Chosen Few. Drawing inspiration from the spiritual jazz tradition of John Coltrane, Sun Ra, and Pharoah Sanders, Collier uses this legacy as a source of inspiration rather than imitation. Describing himself as a "Sonic Scientist," Collier is recognized for a sound that bridges the deep traditions of jazz with the urgency of today.