Northside Saturday Nights: Blake Shaw & Alyx Rush

From the heartlands of rural Iowa, Alyx’s affinity for music blossomed early in life. A self-taught guitarist, Alyx delved into the realms of music production and songwriting, crafting a distinctive smooth sound that blends elements of pop and R&B. Collaboration lies at the heart of Alyx’s creative ethos, with partnerships flourishing with luminaries such as Jim Swim, Dondria, and Blookah. Together with Jim Swim, Alyx has crafted musical gems like “Fruit to the Knife” (2022) and “After the Last Time” (2023), setting the stage for an eagerly awaited EP album under a refreshing new alias “SUN CENTAURI”.
Blake Shaw is a versatile musician hailing from Iowa City. He’s a double and electric bassist, vocalist, cellist, hybrid guitarist, composer/arranger, and educator who brings a rich tapestry of influences to his craft. In 2010, Blake earned his AA degree from Kirkwood before going on to obtain his BM in Classical Double Bass Performance in 2013 and his MA in Jazz Composition/Performance in 2017, both from the University of Iowa. You can currently find him teaching in Cedar Rapids as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Mount Mercy Campus of St Ambrose University. In addition to his academic and performance pursuits, Blake actively contributes to the music community as Chairman of the board for the Iowa City Jazz Festival, a talent seeker for the Iowa City Friday Night Concert Series and serves as the Entertainment Director for the Iowa City Pride Festival. He also regularly serves as a guest artist, coaching ensembles in schools spanning from middle school to college levels.
Northside Saturday Nights is sponsored by RG Living, Build to Suit, Hills Bank, and Dr. Suzanne Stock, Orthodontist.
Join us from 6 – 8pm for this free concert!