A Chicago Story: ~Nois’ First Cedille Album and a Decade of Innovation

We first met saxophonist Julian Velasco when he stepped onto the stage as a semifinalist — and soon-to-be winner — of Cedille’s inaugural, 2021 Emerging Artist Competition. His artistry was already unmistakable: grounded, expressive, and infused with a curiosity that hinted at a much larger musical world. In short order, we discovered that Julian brings this same energy to ~Nois, the saxophone quartet that has become one of Chicago’s most fearless champions of contemporary music.

Celebrating its 10^th anniversary in 2026, ~Nois stands at the intersection of experimentation and collaboration, a place where Chicago’s composers have long found a welcoming, adventurous partner. Over the past decade, the quartet has carved out a distinct space in the musical landscape — one defined by bold programming, boundary-pushing soundscapes, and a genuine commitment to lifting up living composers.

This anniversary year marks an exciting new chapter in that story: ~Nois will embark on its first Cedille recording, a project that captures the voices, energy, and creative spirit that have defined their first ten years. Set to be recorded (mostly) in January, the album will showcase the quartet’s deep relationships with the city’s composers and the unique sound world they’ve cultivated together.

As we prepare not only to record this milestone project but also to invest in its global promotion, we invite supporters to join us in bringing this album to life. We are honored to have already secured partial support for the album from three generous donors. We are seeking additional sponsors for the recording — partners who believe, as we do, that ensembles like ~Nois and the composers they champion deserve to be heard, celebrated, and shared with listeners around the world. For more details on how you can help, please contact Julie Polanski.