Red Ryder Entertainment

We are proud to welcome Mike Reed's People Places & Things to our artist roster. Having performed extensively in Europe and South America, the ensemble will embark on their first North American tour this Fall, on the heels of their critically-acclaimed Stories & Negotiations (482 Music)

As a drummer, Reed has been part of the vibrant Chicago jazz and improvised music community since 1997. Reed was named Chicagoan of the Year for Jazz (2008) by the Chicago Tribune, and in the 57th annualDownbeat critics poll was distinguished as "Rising Jazz Star". (People, Places & Things also named as "Rising Jazz Group".)

Over the course of a decade Reed has also established himself as a leading producer of musical performances and advocate for the performing arts. He is one of the main organizers for Umbrella Music, a five member team presenting weekly Jazz and Improvised music at various Chicago venues (approximating 280 sets of music per year as well as an accompanying festival). As a fresh addition to the historical collective known as the AACM, Reed was named Vice Chairmen in the spring of 2009. In other areas Reed works with the City of Chicago as a member of the Chicago Jazz Festival planning committee, and serves as programing partner for the Downtown Sound series at Millennium Park. Most notably Reed is the Director of the internationally renowned Pitchfork Music Festival, drawing over 50,000 attendees to Chicago over 3 days and featuring today's most cutting edge rock and pop artists.