Supporting Illinois' Arts Sector

Experimental Sound Studio (ESS) is a pioneering Chicago nonprofit dedicated to the evolution of sound and experimental music. Since its founding in 1986, ESS has been at the forefront of the sonic arts, providing an ecosystem where artists can explore and innovate. As both an organizer and a resource hub, ESS commissions new works and develops public programs in experimental music. It offers artists access to a Creative Audio Archive, a recording studio, paid residencies, workshops, and more, supporting over 475 artists annually.

Marking its 40th anniversary, ESS has broadened its reach by opening major public presentations to open calls. This includes the Sonic Pavilion Festival at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, scheduled for September 12-14, and the 25th Anniversary Florasonic installation at the Lincoln Park Conservatory, running from August 23 to October 11. Both programs highlight ESS’s dedication to site-specific sound art. To celebrate, ESS will host an anniversary event at its Edgewater location on October 17, with more details to be announced soon.

“It is a unique privilege to work daily with a community of people who are pushing the boundaries of art, of our conceptions of self and society. We’re doing a detailed audit now, but in a conservative estimate, ESS has worked with nearly 5,000 artists over the past 40 years, all of whom were interrogating our understanding of the world in different ways. It gives you a different perspective, one which I find quite hopeful, to work within that sort of lineage," says ESS Co-Director Olivia Junell. “We look forward to the next 40 years.”

First-generation Filipino American Jon Irabagon’s music is deeply influenced by his cultural roots and personal identity. The Chicago native made a name for himself with his skills in both composition and improvisation, winning the Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition in 2008 and becoming a Guggenheim Fellow in 2026. Jon’s educational path took him through DePaul University, the Manhattan School of Music, and Juilliard, where he developed a unique style that blends modern classical music with jazz improvisation. Since January 2023, Jon has served on the faculty at the University of Illinois Chicago, teaching jazz saxophone, combos, and jazz history. He has given masterclasses in saxophone, improvisation, and composition on four continents and taught at institutions including Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Middle School Jazz Academy.

Jon's band, PlainsPeak, recently released their debut album "Someone to Someone," which features his original compositions that mix traditional jazz with open group improvisation. He also released WINDS, an album that includes pieces dedicated to the Swiss sculptor Jean Tinguely and composer Anthony Braxton. His upcoming performances include the Chicago Jazz Festival on September 5th with the Patricia Brennan Septet, the Sound and Gravity Festival on September 5th with Dan Oestreicher, and the Hyde Park Jazz Festival with PlainsPeak on Saturday, September 26th.

On talking about the support from the Illinois Arts Council's Creative Accelerator Fund, Jon says, "The CAF award came at just the right time for my career here in Chicago. After moving from New York City, it took a while to build a network of musicians to help my compositions grow. The award’s timing was perfect for rehearsing, touring, and recording during a peak creative period for everyone involved. I’m incredibly grateful for the IAC’s support, which helps me keep creating and thriving."