MaddBear Arts Foundation

05/17/2026

We're thrilled to announce that Neil Carson has been selected as our latest Director's Grant recipient!

Neil is a Chicago-based saxophonist, composer, arranger, producer, and educator whose work blends jazz, pop, and rock into a fresh, melodic sound. He brings an infectious sense of joy to every performance he gives. A graduate of the prestigious Frost School of Music, Neil earned degrees in Jazz Saxophone and Studio Jazz Composition while performing with the award-winning Frost Concert Jazz Band and sharing the stage with artists including Chick Corea, Bobby McFerrin, Terrence Blanchard, Maria Schneider, and Barry Manilow.

Neil’s award-winning compositions and arrangements have been performed nationwide. His big band work “Ballad for the Hopeless Romantic” won first prize in the ASMAC Bill Conti Arranging Competition, while his composition “Listen” was featured at the 2019 ISJAC Symposium. Equally at home on stage and in the studio, Neil leads the Chicago-based 9-piece ensemble New Nostalgia, performs with a variety of jazz and contemporary groups, and has mixed and produced recordings for numerous artists.

An inspiring educator and clinician, Neil maintains an active teaching schedule throughout the Chicago area. Whether composing, performing, producing, or teaching, he brings deep musicality, versatility, and passion to every project.
Check him out: https://neilcarsonmusic.com/ and better yet, see him in person!

05/08/2026

Congratulations to Marion Mallard, recipient of our latest Director's Grant!

Marion Mallard is one of the most exciting young bassists emerging from Chicago’s vibrant jazz scene. Originally from Decatur, she moved to Chicago in 2020 to pursue a degree in Jazz Studies at DePaul University.

Mallard has earned many honors in her career - she has been a Louis Armstrong Jazz Award winner, JEN Sisters in Jazz Selectee, selected for the prestigious Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program, and was recently named a finalist for the Luminarts Jazz Fellowship.

A sought-after performer throughout the Chicago jazz community, Mallard leads projects under her own name while also performing alongside acclaimed musicians every day, including names like the renowned vibraphonist Joel Ross. Beyond the stage, she is an accomplished composer, educator, studio musician, and bandleader whose artistry reflects both technical command and a fearless creative voice.

05/02/2026

Henry Beardsley, executive director, presents the first-ever TillMoo Inspiration Award to Matthew Tillman in recognition of his support and influence in creating the MaddBear Arts Foundation. Congratulations Matt!

04/29/2026

Get out there and support live music!

04/27/2026

What do the people pictured here have in common? They are some of the best jazz musicians around! MaddBear Productions was honored to host them to screen videos of their live music followed by Q&A. Shout out to musicians Meghan Stagl, Gustavo Cortiñas Fouilloux, Kitt Lyles, Roy McGrath, Julius Tucker, Emily Kuhn, Julian Pujols-Quall and videographer Giovany Revelle. Check them out at https://www.youtube.com/

04/25/2026

An important aspect of being an artist most art lovers never consider.

I've been doing a lot of thinking about the physical demands of being a musician and the need to include our community in the broader conversation about physical health.

Musicians are essentially athletes; our work requires significant endurance, coordination, strength, and hours of daily training. However, while traditional sports benefit from robust support systems—including trainers, physical therapists, and nutritionists—music is often viewed as recreational. This perspective limits our access to specialized care and preventative resources.

Furthermore, many musicians face additional hurdles due to limited insurance coverage as freelance or self-employed workers. Even with insurance, finding providers who understand the specific physical realities of various instruments remains a challenge.

Many of us have normalized discomfort. I know I have. We feel pain, numbness, tension, or weakness and tell ourselves: maybe I slept wrong, sat wrong, practiced too long, or just need a massage. Sometimes that may be true. But sometimes it isn’t.

I have also noticed an increasing number of colleagues dealing with physical issues—some being forced to step away from performing, others unable to play at all, and many losing significant time because of injury and recovery.
Is it happening more now, or are we maybe simply more aware of it because people can share their experiences openly? Either way, it’s real, and it’s important.

I am sharing several specialists who have been instrumental in my own healing process.

Dr. Aviva Wolf musichandstherapy.com
Dr. Han Jo Kim https://drkimspinemd.com/
Dr. Janice Ying https://www.opuspt.com/bio.html
Matrix PT https://www.matrixptandwellness.com/
Dr. Gwen Weinstock-Zlotnick-Occupational Therapy, Hand Therapy https://www.hss.edu/locations/nj/rehab/paramus
Kate Silverman
MOT OTR/L, CHT https://www.precisionhandtherapy.com/
Dr. O. Alton Barron Musician Treatment Foundation https://altonbarronmd.com/

Wishing us all continued health, healing, and the strength to keep sharing our gifts with the world

** I set up a page where we can connect, find, and share information for professionals who understand musicians’ physical challenges. The Musicians Body Shop.

04/22/2026

A huge shout-out to Eileen Daday for publishing a wonderful article on our new foundation! Feel free to share!

New Arts Foundation Awards First Grant to Metropolis Performing Arts Centre by Eileen Daday | Apr 22, 2026 Creators of the newly launched MaddBear Arts Foundation say they are dedicated to bringing the Northwest suburbs to life through the power of performance and expression. Henry Beardsley, Karuna...

04/22/2026

Our first Director's Grant recipient, David Hayes! Musician, composer, educator and all-around great guy! Check out his story at https://maddbearaf.org/grants/ and his music at https://www.facebook.com/DavidHayes688/

04/18/2026

MBAF at the Metropolis gala last night. Spectacular entertainment and hugely successful! Congrats to the Metropolis!

04/17/2026

Meet AERIAL! (they/them), the artist – muse and guiding star for the MaddBear Arts Foundation and MaddBear Productions. From the mind of local artist (and designer of our logos) Debra Kocis, Aerial is an actor, dancer, painter, musician, poet, and performance artist. They remind us to engage with art daily for maximum quality of life!