KATE
CAMPBELL
STRAUSS
QUARTET

Saxophonist-composer Kate Campbell Strauss leads this star ensemble with Jake Hickey on keyboard, Scott Kiefner on bass, and RJ Miller on drums, in a program featuring music by queer composers and musicians. The group emphasizes deep listening, groove, tone, and melody in their collaborative approach to improvisation.

Kate Campbell Strauss – saxophone
Jake Hickey – keyboards
Scott Kiefner – bass
RJ Miller – drums

Kate Campbell Strauss is a composer and saxophonist whose creative process integrates improvisation, arranging, sound production, and field recording. Kate’s study of jazz has shaped their process, aesthetic, and collaborative approach, while their genre-defying work also embraces modern recording technology and nature as a collaborator. Their joint debut album with trumpeter Emily Mikesell — Give Way (ears&eyes, 2025) — celebrates trust and intuition in creative collaboration. Give Way earned a Grammy® nod and was warmly received with features in DownBeat Magazine, Mojo, The Jazz Session, Antigravity, and Bandcamp. Kate has been awarded residencies at Ucross, OneBeat, and Campbient, and their work has been supported by commissions from Third Angle New Music, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, and the Grammy®-winning New Orleans Jazz Orchestra. Kate’s creative life is rooted in the power of music to build community, and their collaborations promote empathy and inclusivity. They serve as the Director of Jazz Ensembles at Bowdoin and on the faculty at the Portland Conservatory of Music.

Jake Hickey is a jazz pianist, jazz organists, and composer. Jake holds a bachelor’s degree in music from Loyola University New Orleans. At Loyola, Jake was fortunate to study with legendary New Orleans pianist and composer Matt Lemmler as well as play with guest artists such as Wycliffe Gordon, Mike Dirubbo, Leroy Jones, and many more. Jake has played in a variety of musical settings ranging from solo piano in the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel to playing keyboards in the progressive jazz group Noruz.

Scott Kiefner is a bassist and educator currently living in Portland, ME. After completing a degree at McGill University’s Schulich School of Music, he returned to New England where he maintains a busy performing and recording schedule. Kiefner can be seen and heard regularly with the Soggy Po Boys, Dharma Down, and many other groups throughout New England.

RJ Miller is a North-American drummer, composer and educator whose technical competencies in jazz are complemented by an interest in the exploration of improvisational electronic and ambient music.  He’s collaborated with musicians George Garzone, Masabumi Kikuchi, Meshell Ndegeocello, Ben Street, Thomas Morgan, Bill McHenry, Jorge Rossy and Jakob Bro throughout Europe and New York City, most notably at the Village Vanguard with Aaron Parks.

Run Time: 45 minutes, with no intermission.