Nature’s Table Archive Vol 17: Chris Lega Quintet – February 27, 1989

Our latest release finds us on a cold Monday evening in Urbana with alto sax player Chris Lega and his group of Table regulars. Lega had played at the Table as early as 1986, and was part of the famous U of I Jazz Band led by John Garvey in the mid-1980s before joining Ray Charles’ band. He went on to play in Chicago, and was part of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra during their 2004 performance at the Chicago Jazz Festival, which was conducted that evening by the great Toshiko Akiyoshi, playing her arrangements.

Lega is joined for this straight-ahead set by Tom Flanigan (trumpet), Gary Peyton (piano), John Hurtubise (bass) and Danny Deckard (drums).

Chris Lega Quintet – February 27, 1989

Up and Running Again

Hi all-

So I just moved back to C-U after being in Connecticut for twelve years. Life got hectic for a while, but things are back on track again. Met with Jeff Machota yesterday and we’re going to start getting things operational again.

We’ve lost several great Table-era musicians recently. Pianist Don Heitler, Pianist/drummer Gary Peyton, multi-instrumentalist Tom Paynter, and Ghanaian master drummer and composer Oscar Sulley Braimah. All of these musicians were regulars at the Table, and it hurts that they are gone now.

Jeff gave me a couple of tapes yesterday. I’ve already dubbed one of them down, and hope to have it posted soon.

It’s good to be back home. Look for more output from us.

Sean