Where were you born and raised?
Well, I was born somewhere in Washington state, grew up in Texas for a bit and Charleston, IL (4 hours south) for a bit more.  Spent a year in Montana and 3 in DeKalb, IL (1 hour west) studying jazz at Northern Illinois University.

What are you passionate about and how are you fulfilling that passion?
Using this music I play to connect with people.  With the jazz thing, I try to connect with listeners by being as non-intellectually snobby and pedantic as possible, just groovy!  Jazz is vocal and blues and simple and it's about lifting up your fellow players.  For example, my show at Morseland last Valentine's Day was successful to my mind if I helped Lizz (Gillock area vocalist) enjoy herself more and enjoy singing even more than she already does.  With High Hawk (my rock group) it's all about making people - my bandmates included - move any part of their body, the more the better.  That's rock 'n' roll, baby!

What do you like about Rogers Park?
What is not to like?  I have lakeside living, more diversity than any other neighborhood, smart & culture-minded citizens, the beach and the park and plenty of cafes and restaurants.

Which five people (living or dead) would you invite to a dinner party?
My wife Laura, my friend Mike, my friend, Josh A, my friend, Josh J., my friend Josh W.

What would you do if you had only a month longer to live?
Probably something ridiculous (and illegal towards the end of the month)  Maybe explore my prowess on the ol' B-ball court, take up fly fishing, cry with some old people, wrestle and give charley horses to some young people or vise versa.  Laura says I'd probably do nothing just like all the other months...

Who rocks in the music world?
Ali Farka Toure (West African guitarist) Yann Tiersen (Amelie soundtrack among others) The Blue Meanies (Charleston group who claimed they were from Cali, they still rock, tho) D'Angelo The Dead Milkmen The Handsome Family (The tune 'the bottomless hole' is a great story) Dian Krall

How do you describe your kind of music in four words?
Groove's in the pocket

What place in Rogers Park, past or present, has special meaning to you?
I've always enjoy grabbing a paper and taking in a little league or softball game at Loyola Park.

What two establishments in Rogers Park besides your own do you tell your friends about?
Buffalo Bar has a ton of great beers. Morseland is finally giving Rogers Park a balanced club/restaurant/stage venue.  I'd like to see them draw more people from out of the neighborhood...

Contact Joel: joelshute@yahoo.com
Website: www.highhawkmusic.com