*Registration for this performance opens on August 1; the link will be added here*
Garfield Park Conservatory & Gardens’ Music Under Glass summer concert series returns with an exciting lineup of three phenomenal West Side artists!
This month, we are excited to welcome Romel Sims & the 21c Strings.
Romel Sims is a Chicago-based trumpeter, composer, and multi-disciplinary creative known for his contributions to contemporary jazz and Black American Music (B.A.M.). He is recognized for representing the North Lawndale community. His work often explores the intersection of nature, sound, and culture. Romel has been featured on platforms like TEDx, PBS, and The Chicago White Sox. He studied music composition, orchestration, and business at NYU Steinhardt Music, The Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and Brevard Institute. In 2024, Romel received an individual artist grant from the City of Chicago to write a modern-day orchestration for Bobbie Steele, the first Black female Cook County commissioner. He has held residencies at Chicago music venues including Andy’s Jazz Club, Clara, and Bronzeville Winery. Romel is also working on his first solo recording project, set to be released in late spring 2026, along with an international tour.
About the performance: Romel Sims’ music is best categorized under the umbrella of Black American Music (B.A.M.), a term he champions to describe the interconnectedness of genres rooted in the Black experience. His sound is grounded in jazz, a central pillar of his work as a professionally trained jazz musician. He also draws from Soul and Rock, frequently reimagining traditional pieces through the rhythmic and harmonic language of R&B and Soul. With a background in orchestration and composition, he brings Orchestral and Classical Crossover elements into his live projects, including his work with the 21st Century Strings.
Date: Wednesday, August 19
Time: 6:00-7:00pm
Admission: Free with registration – donations welcome!
Ages: Open to all ages though children must be accompanied by an adult. If your child can sit on your lap during the performance, no need to reserve an extra ticket.
When you register for this program, you will be asked to provide any accommodations requests. If you have any questions or would like to request an additional accommodation, please contact [email protected] at least 72 hours prior to the event start.
Music Under Glass 2026 is made possible in part by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Illinois Arts Council, CIBC, and The Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation.
