Tuesday April 14, 2026
In the ‘Lab’ with Frank Russell
Acclaimed Chicago Jazz bassist Frank Russell is the official bassist for the legendary South African a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo who did the iconic Graceland album and tour with Paul Simon. Frank is currently recording an album in tribute to Ladysmith for 2026, featuring them and some of Chicago’s finest jazz musicians. From Robert Irving III, Bobby Broom, Howard Levy, Paul Wertico, Jahari Stampley, Corey Wilkes and more. Frank won the prestigious 2020 Chicago Jeff Award for Best Original Music in a Play after writing music with Mambazo for the play Lindiwe. Frank was the musical director for that production. Frank has also recorded or performed live with Freddie Hubbard, Ramsey Lewis, Wallace Rooney, Freddie White, Michael Wolf, Mike Clark, The Headhunters, Darryl Jones, Vince Wilburn Jr. Peter Erskine, Alphonse Mouzon, Henry Johnson, Ken Chaney, Willie Pickens, Ari Brown and many more. Frank is excited to be performing in Donovan’s acclaimed series.
Saxophonist and flutist Tim McNamara began his musical journey on piano at age eight, later adding tenor saxophone and flute. A DePaul University graduate (’96), he developed his voice through formative mentorships with Sinclair Greenwell Jr., Donald “Rafael” Garrett, and Detroit alto saxophonist Larry Nozero.
McNamara has performed with jazz luminaries including Benny Carter, Christian McBride, Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargrove, Branford Marsalis, Phil Woods, Frank Wess, Buddy DeFranco, Doc Severinsen, and Clark Terry. His recording credits include Frank Russell’s Circle Without End, Bradley Williams’ Showboat, releases with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble under William Russo, and his own BluJazz album Earthsign.
Equally versatile, he has toured with major pop, R&B, and Broadway productions. Now based in Highland, IN, McNamara leads the jazz group Level 4 and serves as Applied Woodwind Instructor at Oakton College.
Hailing from Grand Rapids, MI, Kevin began classical piano at age 4, venturing into rock and jazz in his teens. He spent 11 years in New York, recording albums with Clifford Jordan and Vernel Fournier, playing with Philly Joe Jones, Billy Hart, Junior Cook, Richard Davis, Cab Calloway and many other jazz giants.
In Chicago since 1993, he has played at all the jazz clubs like the Jazz Showcase and the Green Mill, with artists like Ira Sullivan, violinist Mark O’Connor, Dee Alexander and Paul Wertico. Kevin released his first album as a leader in 2023, “Hot New York Minutes” and had the CD release at Smalls in NYC.
Tim Davis, has performed with: Nat Adderly Quintet, Mose Allison, Randy Brecker, Nick Brignola, Steve Cardenas, Rodney Dangerfield, Kurt Elling, John Fedchock, Von Freeman, Eddie Harris, Carmell Jones, Barney Kessel, Sheila Jordan, Dave Liebman, Kitty Margolis, Mike Metheny, James Moody, Carol Sloane, Tiny Tim, Bill Watrous, Claude “Fiddler” Williams, Larry Willis, Dave Onderdonk, Kelly Brand and Nextet, Marlene Rosenberg, Steve Million, Dennis Luxion, and other local artists.
Angela Williams :: Art + Design
Evanston, IL
Artist Statement
My work explores the beauty and relationships to African art, culture, fragments, symbols, and markings.
My love of the African aesthetic and deep desire to connect with my ancestral creative heritage intuitively guide my creative journey. I explore the beauty and meaning of symbols and patterns, recreating and reconstructing a visual narrative that celebrates and examines a lost connection to my ancestry.
From my earliest watercolor portraits of Africans and African Americans to the abstract reconstructions of patterns and symbols, the central theme of my art is discovering and reclaiming my African diaspora.
About Angela
Angela Williams is a fine artist working in mixed media who exhibits in Chicago-area juried art show galleries. She received a BFA from the Art Institute of Chicago with a concentration in Visual Communications.
Her fine artwork is in the permanent collection of the Noyes Cultural Arts Center in Evanston, Illinois, as well as in the homes of many collectors and enthusiasts.
As a professional designer for more than 25 years, Angela has led design and content development for permanent, temporary, and traveling exhibitions and events at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. Her museum work spans a wide spectrum of design solutions, including award-winning contributions to the Museum’s Numbers in Nature exhibition.
A committed member of the Evanston community, Angela is a former member of the Evanston Arts Council and a leadership member of PROJECT OSMOSIS, a Chicago-based initiative designed to mentor minority youth in applied arts, architecture, and design.
“I believe the arts hold significant importance in society. My hope is to inspire youth to pursue careers in art and design — creative minds are fluid thinkers who see the world in new ways.”
Angela is a native of the St. Louis, Missouri suburbs and an active resident of Evanston, Illinois.