Millie Ahearn Nonet Band

Having directed big bands, neo-soul collectives and contemporary rock-classical ensembles in England, Millie relocated to Chicago in 2021 to move closer to the source of jazz and centralize her sound. Her music houses the thoughts and feelings of a British transgender musician navigating expressions of queerness in jazz, focusing largely on transformation and the coming of the self into new life. Millie's debut record, (World Heart Beat Records), was released in 2022 and precedes work on her upcoming record, Theyness.

Since moving to America, Millie has had the fortune to perform with Martha and the Vandellas, members of The Temptations, The Four Tops and The Platters, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Chicago Heritage Orchestra, the Blueshift Big Band, the Julia Danielle Quintet and the Kabir Dalawari Quintet, in addition to Marques Carroll, Derrick Gardner, Ernie Adams, Jeremy Kahn, Gregory Artry Jr., Chris Greene, Jon Deitemyer, Roger Ingram, Chris Madsen, Julius Tucker and others. In Illinois, she has presented her original music at The Fulton St. Collective, Evanston SPACE, The Epiphany Center for the Arts and Northwestern University, alongside performances as sidewoman at Andy's Jazz Club, the Des Plaines Theatre, Cantigny Jazz and Wine Fest, Winnetka Music Festival, Oaktoberfest, Riotfest and NOLA North, in addition to engagements at the United Center and Wrigley Field. Other engagements have taken her to Wisconsin, Michigan and Indiana. She currently holds an adjunct brass position at Francis W. Parker School in Chicago and is an alumnus of both Northwestern University and The University of Oxford.

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