Mr. Chair is a Madison-based dynamic and innovative ensemble composed of Jason Kutz (piano), Ben Ferris (bass) and Mike Koszewski (drums). The trio collaborates with singers, dancers, orchestras, string ensembles, poets and visual artists to pioneer exciting and distinct projects, showcasing their versatile style and interests in improvisational music.
Mr. Chair released two acclaimed studio albums of original music with Nebulebula (2019) and Better Days (2023). These albums were in collaboration with trombonist Mark Hetzler and, on Better Days, guitarist José Guzmán. Since Hetzler’s departure from the group, Mr. Chair paired down to a more flexible piano trio and produced two very different albums. Sirena, with singer Leslie Damaso and saxophonist Jon Irabagon, is a heartfelt, operatic arrangement of Filipino art songs called kundiman, set to the story of a mythical mermaid. Spectaculous is an orchestral hip hop album with singer and poet Dequadray White. The first single from Spectaculous “Tempo” garnered over 200,000 views and 20,000 streams in the first month.
In December 2024, they sold out five separate performances of Charlie Brown’s Christmas Album and are set to do another full retelling of Hank Mobley’s Soul Station. Other notable performances and projects include a recent premiere of jazz legend Roland Hanna’s bass concerto; reimaginations of Stravinsky's Pulcinella, Gerswhin's Rhapsody in Blue with the Madison Ballet and Rodgers and Hammerstein's South Pacific, as well as commissioned works with UW-Madison Geoscience Professor Dr. Stephen Meyers, musically exploring scientific topics like the big bang and underground wave patterns.
Mr. Chair’s eclectic projects are united by a fearless exploration of musical storytelling, technical precision and dynamic, energizing performances.
“The euphonious elements at the heart of Snarky Puppy’s appeal are also present in Mr. Chair’s debut.“ (PROG UK)
About Us
Ben Ferris, Bass
Ben Ferris is a Bassist, Composer and Educator from Madison, WI. A student of NEA Jazz Master Richard Davis, he graduated with a music-education degree from UW-Madison where he is currently pursuing a masters in String Performance. Ben performs regularly in the midwest, especially with the Ben Ferris Trio, a creative music ensemble that focuses on new compositions by musicians in the band. His group the Ben Ferris Quintet released their debut album, “Home” in 2016 featuring original compositions by Ben and other members of the ensemble. He also leads the Ben Ferris Octet, a group that plays a diverse selection of jazz repertoire. Ben competed as a finalist in the 2017 International Society of Bassists Jazz Performance competition.
Ben is a founding member of “Mr Chair,” a contemporary ensemble of electronic trombone (Mark Hetzler), keyboard (Jason Kutz), percussion (Mike Koszewski) and electronic upright bass. As a sideman Ben performs with Darren Sterud, Nuggernaut (jazz-funk), The Jon Hoel Trio (original compositions with saxophone led trio), Gabe Burdulis Band (Nashville based original pop/rock music), as well as a number of performances in the classical, jazz, rock and contemporary music scenes. As an educator, Ben teaches a studio of private bass students, and has taught K-12 general music, songwriting, strings and jazz ensembles in public schools for seven years. He is on the board of directors and faculty for the Richard Davis Foundation for Young Bassists. More info can be found on his website, www.bferrisbass.com.
Ben is a NS (Ned Steinberger) Artist and plays an NS CR5M bass.
Mike Koszewski, Drums & Cymbals
Mike Koszewski is an experienced musician from Madison, WI with a diverse background in the percussive arts. After graduating from the Univeristy of Wisconsin - Madison percussion studio, Mike performed, taught, and lectured throughout the midwest and east coast with the ensemble Clocks in Motion. With that group he championed the music of iconic composers such as Steve Reich, Iannis Xenakis, John Cage, and Charles Wuorinen while also commissioning and premiering dozens of new works. Highlights of his work with this ensemble include residencies and performances at Interlochen Arts Academy, University of Michigan, Ohio University, Baldwin Wallace University, Casper College, Queensboro College, and College of William and Mary. In recent years he has performed with Oakwood Chamber Players, LunArt Festival, the Madison Symphony Orchestra Concert Organ series, and Dubuque Symphony Orchestra. Mike is also a versatile drum kit player and pit orchestra musician, performing with Four Seasons Theater, Forward Theater Company, Capital City Theatre, and Children's Theater of Madison. He is a member of the experimental jazz/rock combo Lovely Socialite and the Ben Ferris Octet, and is well-regarded as a session/freelance musician in Madison and beyond.
By day he is a Digital Marketing Manager at Overture Center for Arts and spends free time with his pup Penny, playing hockey, and learning chess.
Jason Kutz, Piano
Jason Kutz is a musician based in Madison, WI, playing, performing, teaching, and composing all styles of music. He is rooted in contemporary music and improvisation, often combining acoustic and classical piano styles with electronic synthesis. He studied recording technology and music business at UW-Oshkosh and completed his Master's in Piano Performance at UW-Madison.
In 2018 and 2019 Kutz was commissioned by Dr. Stephen Meyers, Vilas Distinguished Professor of Geoscience at UW-Madison, to write two pieces of science-inspired music. He was also commissioned by the Wisconsin Academy for Arts, Letters & Sciences in 2022. This work was inspired by Bruce Crownover's prints from The Last Glacier, and the final piece was a music video that accompanied an animation of Crownover's work entitled Melody for a Melting Glacier.
When not performing in Mr. Chair, he is drawn towards free improvisation. He founded the Wonderporium - an electronic, ambiance-making trio that features multi-instrumentalist Noah Gilfillan, tubist Tom Curry, and dozens of synthesizers and pedals. He also performs in a free improvisation duo with saxophonist Jon Irabagon, showcasing their mutual appreciation for music chaotic and beautiful.
You may also find him as orchestra member, graphic designer, or soloist with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Caroga Arts Collective, or in other classical/crossover music organizations.