LOVE CALL
Love Call is a collaborative trio consisting of saxophonist Max Bessesen, bassist Ethan Philion, and drummer Devin Drobka. The trio has a distinctive musical approach marked by a congenial sense of trust and a unique, intuitive group language. Their performances feature free improvisation and compositions by each member of the group. The trio has toured throughout the United States.
The trio formed during the height of the pandemic when Philion and Bessesen coped with their lack of performance opportunities by exploring adventurous new repertoire together in private sessions away from the stage. These informal meetings eventually coalesced into an exploration of free improvisation and abstract composition. The duo reunited with longtime-collaborator Devin Drobka when restrictions were lifted and the unit began to collaborate on new music while performing this material publicly around the country. Love Call performs several times a year ever since 2021 even though the group members live in different cities (New York, Chicago, Milwaukee).
Philion is based in Chicago where he performs frequently with Ernest Dawkins, Mark Feldman, Greg Ward, Jon Irabagon, Russ Johnson, and more. He is praised for his “astounding musicality” by the Washington Post and deemed “a marvel” by Peter Margasek. Bessesen’s music is described by JAZZIZ as “pushing boundaries without being abstruse...stirringly emotive.” He lives in New York city and has performed with Ron Miles, Tyler Mitchell, Darcy James Argue, and more. Drobka resides in Milwaukee and has worked with a wide variety of artists including Joe Lovano, Mario Pavonne, Greg Osby, Cecil McBee, and more. Chicago Reader describes his music as “pithy...There isn’t much in the midwest that sounds like this today.
Past Performances:
9/25/25: The Checkout (Chicago)
9/26/25: University of Wisconsin, 12PM, North Street Cabaret (Madison)
9/27/25: Hyde Park Jazz Fest
10/6/25: UNC Greeley Masterclass and performance at 2454
10/7/25: Los Alamos Public Library, NM
10/8/25: Kactus Brewing Albuquerque NM
10/9/25: The Destination Las Cruces NM
10/10/25: Ravenscroft, Phoenix AZ
10/11/25: Collage, Los Angeles
10/13/25: The Big Easy, Petaluma CA
10/14/25: Bird and Beckett, San Francisco
10/15/25: EP Listening Lounge, Reno NV
10/16/25: Fountain Records, Salt Lake City
10/17/25: Dazzle, Denver
10/18/25: 477 Distilling, Greeley CO
10/19/25: Catalyst Theater, Rapid City, SD
10/20/25: Storm Cellar (Capital Jazz Society), NE
10/21/25: Trio Jazz Club, Sioux Falls
10/22/25: Berlin, Minneapolis MN
10/23/25: Trempealeau Hotel, WI
9/9-9/12/2024 Avaloch Farms
9/13/24: Shapeshifter Labs NYC
9/14/24; An Die Musik Baltimore
9/15/24: Rhizome DC
9/16/24 Sugar Monk NYC
9/17/2024 Con Alma Pittsburgh
9/18/2024 Merriman's Playhouse South Bend
9/19 2024 Canterbury House Ann Arbor
9/20/2024 Stola Art Gallery Chicago
9/21/2024 Milwaukee Jazz Institute Concert
