“When he was a junior at Memorial High School, budding jazz pianist Tim Davis decided to get some of his musical friends of various ages together for a holiday performance. Now in its fourth year, Davis’ Christmas Extravaganza has continued to grow and is expected to feature as many as 50 musicians…” – Tom Giffey, Volume One

While that first holiday performance stood as the beginning of the Christmas Extravaganza, it also represented the beginning of Davis’ career in performance. Since then, he has become a fixture in the Chippewa Valley’s entertainment scene, known for his inventive arrangements, collaborative spirit, and commitment to nurturing local talent. As a pianist, Davis blends traditional swing with modern harmonic language, drawing influence from artists like Bill Evans, Keith Jarret and Ryo Fukui.

In 2022, Davis founded Artem Entertainment, an Eau Claire–based organization dedicated to supporting live performance, artistic collaboration, and community-based production. Under his direction, Artem has curated events ranging from intimate jazz nights to large-scale showcases, bringing together musicians across genres and generations.

Davis continues to perform regularly while composing original work, directing ensembles, and mentoring young artists. His efforts reflect a deep belief in the transformative power of music and its role in building sustainable creative culture in smaller communities.

Flutes & Low is the indie folk duo project of Ben Pichler and Cambria Haen. Since meeting and playing music together in Duluth, they have put their musical talents together to create lush sounds and memorable melodies. Deeply influenced by the rich landscapes of the Midwest, their music is pastoral as it is touching. The pair is excited to share their new debut album “Lay Fallow” early this spring, produced on their own in their Minneapolis apartment. The songs bleed the love, loss, tenderness, and purpose that inspired the poetry of personal experience and imaginative tales.

Carlton Fowler is an eclectic musician, drawing from many influences spanning over a century. A musical omnivore, you never know exactly what he has in store, be it a traditional, hundred year-old song, a modern musical marvel, or a concoction of his own creation. He keeps things fresh, fun, and friendly.

Mélange is a vocal trio featuring Chase Bucheger, Maggie Sills, and Emily Watkins (who also accompanies the group on guitar.) They play a mix of original music and covers spanning the genres of jazz, soul, folk, country, and pop.