Harlem Hayfield with special guest Joel Gragg & The Filaments at Jazz Upfront

Harlem Hayfield- For some, finding the roots that truly ground us is a lifelong journey. For Harlem Hayfield, a six-piece music group based in Decatur, Illinois, that journey begins and ends with embracing their true identities: musicians, collaborators, and, perhaps most importantly, friends. Hailing from a sparsely populated factory town filled with more memories than people, the band blends eclectic music influences with personal life lessons, resulting in a groove-centric genre they describe as "rustbelt soul.” Their sound encompasses elements of southern rock, funk-infused abandon reminiscent of the 70s, and harmonies that also evoke a throwback nostalgia while maintaining a modern edge.