Editor’s note: Zach Luginbill and Jonah Walt both go by he/they pronouns, but for clarification purposes, he/him pronouns will be featured.

2 Roots Art and Wine Gallery hosted a free show performed by UW-Eau Claire students and alumni. The jazz trio, Chroma, performed on Wednesday Feb. 4, as part of the venue’s February music series.

The trio said they had a slow introduction to each other. Saxophone player, Jonah Walt and keyboardist, fourth-year music liberal arts major, Zach Luginbill, said they met in a Jazz 1 ensemble at UW-Eau Claire. Zach Luginbill and drummer, third-year music education major, Fletcher Myhre met in middle school. 

“We all had a strong respect for each other’s abilities on our instruments and we also had similar tastes in music,” Walt said. 

Eventually the three of them came together and became Chroma.

Chroma offers a mix of genres ranging from R&B to pop roots. Walt said their sound connects to the meaning behind the trio’s name. 

“Chroma refers to the chromatic scale in music and it also refers to the different colors that we bring into our music,” Walt said. 

The chromatic scale is a twelve pitch musical scale that is used in western music. 

“We play lots of music that (is) harmonically interesting — lots of cool chords and shapes and, like Jonah said, colors,” Luginbill said.

Two Roots Art and Wine Gallery offered an intimate setting that showcased the group’s chemistry and individual talents.

According to Luginbill the group has only been an established group for a year. Walt said they have covered complicated arrangements that have led them to creating their own music. 

“Circuits by Chris Potter was the key song for figuring out how to play a lot of other very difficult music just because of how complex it was, and after putting that together I feel like we can do a lot of things now,” Walt said. 

According to the group, their individual experience in past ensembles allows them to explore and improv during their live performances. Luginbill said he has written music since he was 11 years old and arranged for their percussion ensemble in middle school.

Luginbill said they also wanted to showcase other music that they do not play in other groups. With the support from their friends attending the event, they were able to record their live set through audio and video.

Luginbill said that creating a set list can be programmatic. He added that the order of songs is an important part of performing live music.

“We want to take you on a journey where we don’t want to overwhelm your ears.” Luginbill said. “We might play something fast and pretty technical and a lot to digest. Then maybe the next song we play something slower and more simple.”

Their next show on Feb. 12, at the Amsterdam Bar and Grill in Minneapolis, will be their first show that features all original music, which is a milestone for the group, according to Walt.

“We strive to create and produce music that makes people happy,” Luginbill said.

The trio said they have hopes to record an EP of the original music they have written. Those interested can find Chroma on Youtube at Chromatic Fusion Band and Instagram at Cromaticfusionband, where they post all events and updates.

Hattie Goethals can be reached at [email protected]