Stitely is a must-have when you’re in need of the perfect atmosphere for your Chicago or Midwest wedding, corporate event, fundraiser, anniversary, gala, graduation, mitzvah, micro events or any other excuse to celebrate! We play a crazy extensive range in repertoire with our live bands, pro DJ’s, live band karaoke, soloists, small combos and ceremony strings alike.
Our ever growing flock of world class musicians have been bringing the heart to celebrations since 1995. Our musicians have had the honor of sharing the stage with well known national acts including Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Andrew Byrd and Wynton Marsalis.
You can find them performing at many iconic Chicagoland venues such as The House of Blues, Wrigley Field, Pritzker Stage, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Chicago Jazz festival, and many more.
Awards & Praise
When we say that we’re awesome, it’s not just our opinion. It’s the opinion of thousands of past clients who consistently rank Stitely in the top 5% of wedding and event professionals.
“Stitely Entertainment was born in 1994 to combine dance music with Jeff’s desire to create more meaningful traditions and celebrations.”
Early Career
Jeff began his career as a jazz drummer building a reputation in Chicago by playing with such superb artists as Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Eddie Harris, Larry Coryell, “Groove” Holmes, Kathleen Battle, Zoot Sims, Patricia Barber, Von Freeman, Barry Harris, Bobby Shew, Bobby Lewis, Chicago Symphony’s “Gershwin-Bernstein Ensemble, Grant Park Symphony, Sinfonieta, Fulcrumpoint and many others.
Awards
He won “Best Soloist” at the 9th International Jazz Competition of Belgium and has been awarded 2 National Endowment for the Arts grants to study with Victor Lewis and Adam Nussbaum. The Jeff Stitely Quartet recorded three CDs. “Chameleon Eyes” won the distinguished award of “Top 10 CD’s of the year” by WBEZ and the Sun Times. They toured both the U.S. and Europe and were finalists in the Hennessey National Jazz Competition in 1995.
Teaching and Music Studies
Jeff taught as an assistant professor at Northern Illinois University for six years and as a Ravinia jazz mentor working with high school jazz musicians. He also taught at the Birch Creek Summer Percussion Camp for 25 years.
Having studied and performed African drumming and dance with master Gideon Foli Alorwoyie, Jeff fell in love with the great musical tradition that is about bringing spirit to the rituals of the community like weddings, harvests and births. He also studied tabla with the great Usted Allah Rakha (Ravi Shankar’s accompanist) and is still playing tabla today in two Chicago Kirtan bands.
Business Coaching and Personal Life
In addition to all his musical endeavors, Jeff does business coaching helping organizations with their systems and effectiveness, and supporting individuals actualize their dreams. He lives in Evanston with his two daughters and their cat GiGi. He loves: mountains, firelight, deep conversations, new places, and belly laughs. When asked, what song got you interested in Jazz? He said, “When I heard Miles Davis’s harmon mute on Bye Bye Blackbird that was it, I was smitten for life.”
Our Process
Meet our music consultants, and learn how the magic is made!
