Live at Studio5! A STRING THING: Donovan Mixon/Dave Onderdonk

A STRING THING

Donovan Mixon - Guitar
Dave Onderdonk - Guitar
Geoff Lowe - Bass
Rick Vitek - Drums

2025 Recipient of Evanston's "Mayor's Award for the Arts"

Donovan Mixon and I have many mutual friends in the Chicago music scene and I’ve known him casually for some time. He’s a sweet guy and a terrific musician, and I’m glad for the opportunity to have him perform at Studio5. Donovan may sound familiar to you because he curates his own wonderfully eclectic monthly jazz performances here in Evanston, called Donovan’s Garage. His work is important and respected – last November he received Evanston’s 2025 Mayor’s Award for the Arts.

An innovative, modern player, Donovan has called Chicago home since 2010 where he performs in clubs, concert halls and festivals with his World Jazz Quintet as well as with the GBME – Great Black Music Ensemble – of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) of which he is a recent inductee. 

Donovan will be appearing at Studio5 in a quartet he founded with fellow guitarist, Dave Onderdonk, called A String Thing. Dave Onderdonk is a versatile guitarist with a rich background in classical and jazz music, and he has traveled widely performing in both genres. His jazz work includes collaborations and recordings with artists such as Michael Feinstein, Kurt Elling, Pharoah Sanders, and Mavis Staples. 

Donovan and Dave are joined in A String Thing by bassist Geoff Lowe and drummer Rick Vitek, and for this appearance the fellows will concentrate on original compositions by Donovan and Dave. This will be an exciting night of new music! Join us for a free-wheeling musical adventure by some masterful players. –SR

Our ticket prices include all fees and taxes, so the price you see is the price you pay. Nothing extra on checkout. We have a cash bar, light snacks, and free parking right outside! Doors open 30 minutes prior to showtime. [NOTE: Ticket sales on this website end one hour before showtime. Any remaining tickets are available for purchase at the door.]

LIVESTREAM: For those unable to attend this event in person, we now offer online streaming. Online viewers can watch live or up to seven days following the event, broadcast in high resolution audio and video, using multiple cameras. Tickets to watch this event online are available HERE.

Live taping for CHICAGO JAZZ LIVE on WDCB!
Our syndicated radio program, CHICAGO JAZZ LIVE, is now in its eleventh season! Be part of the studio audience and behind the scenes for an exciting live recording of this performance. CJL airs locally on WDCB (90.9FM or WDCB.org), Tuesdays 7-8PM. Come to the taping ... and then tune in!

Many thanks to our media sponsor, WDCB!