Neal Alger

Lauded as “one of the most sensitive and creative guitarists in a city filled with them” (Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune) and described as “monstrously talented” by Christopher Loudon (Jazz Times Magazine), Neal Alger‘s musical versatility has allowed him to perform with Howard Levy (jazz), New Black Renaissance (R&B/Soul), Bossa Tres (Brazilian samba) and Blend Acoustic (classic rock/pop). After graduating summa cum laude from Northern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in jazz guitar performance, Neal moved to Chicago and developed a reputation as a highly in-demand guitarist. Neal has toured Europe, Canada, Brazil, South Korea, Russia and the U.S. with vocalist/pianist Patricia Barber and he is featured on her Blue Note Records releases Verse, Live: A Fortnight in France, Mythologies, The Cole Porter Mix and Higher.

Neal’s newest project as a leader is the Here and Now Quintet, a straight-ahead ensemble dedicated to performing Alger’s original compositions. The quintet’s first album, Old Souls, was released in March 2024 on Calligram Records. Other projects that perform occasionally include the Neal Alger Brazilian Trio, which performs several varieties of Brazilian music (samba, choro, baião, frevo), and Blue Note Quartet, which presents classic and obscure compositions from the legendary Blue Note jazz record label.

In addition to his busy performing schedule, Alger teaches jazz improvisation, jazz history and coaches several groups at Elmhurst University, Roosevelt University and DePaul University.