Stitely Team Bios
Jeff Stitely
Born to a church organist/funeral director father and a church choir/missionary mother, his first musical memories were of him driving his parents crazy beating on pots and pans. Jeff dove deep into music starting in 5th grade. By 8th grade he recruited and led his own neighborhood Big Band. By his senior year of HS he was the full time director of the Jazz band and conducted the Concert band’s entire final concert of the year when the band director didn’t show. Jeff went on to graduate from the University of Illinois in percussion performance.
He began his career as a jazz drummer building a reputation in Chicago by playing with such superb artists as Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Eddie Harris, Larry Coryell, “Groove” Holmes, Kathleen Battle, Zoot Sims, Patricia Barber, Von Freeman, Barry Harris, Bobby Shew, Bobby Lewis, Chicago Symphony’s “Gershwin-Bernstein Ensemble, Grant Park Symphony, Sinfonieta, Fulcrumpoint and many others. Jeff won “Best Soloist” at the 9th International Jazz Competition of Belgium and has been awarded 2 National Endowment for the Arts grants to study with Victor Lewis and Adam Nussbaum. The Jeff Stitely Quartet recorded three CDs. “Chameleon Eyes” won the distinguished award of “Top 10 CD’s of the year” by WBEZ and the Sun Times. They toured both the U.S. and Europe and were finalists in the Hennessey National Jazz Competition in 1995.
Jeff taught as an assistant professor at Northern Illinois University for six years and as a Ravinia jazz mentor working with high school jazz musicians. He also taught at the Birch Creek Summer Percussion Camp for 25 years.
Having studied and performed African drumming and dance with master Gideon Foli Alorwoyie, Jeff fell in love with the great musical tradition that is about bringing spirit to the rituals of the community like weddings, harvests and births. With that spirit, Stitely Entertainment was born in 1994 to combine dance music with his desire to provide quality music for our own traditions.
Jeff also studied tabla with the great Usted Allah Rakha (Ravi Shankar’s accompanist) and is still playing tabla today in two Chicago Kirtan bands.
In addition to all his musical endeavors, Jeff does business coaching helping organizations with their systems and effectiveness, and supporting individuals actualize their dreams. He lives in Evanston with his two daughters and their cat GiGi.
Loves: Mountains, firelight, deep conversations, new places and belly laughs.
What song got him interested in Jazz? “When I heard Miles Davis’s harmon mute on “Bye Bye Blackbird” that was it, I was smitten for life.”
Rory Miller
Raised by a Blues/Americana musician/mailman father and a photographer/hammer dulcimer playing/antique collecting mother, Rory had a deep appreciation for the arts and an ear for great music from the start. There was never an occasion without moving the furniture to fit the musicians into family gatherings. Rory joined one of the many family bands at a young age inspired by Leo Koetke, Rusted Root, Rickee Lee Jones, the Bo Didley beat, Janis Joplin, Etta James, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Bonnie Raitt, Emmy Lou Harris, Van Morrison and The Stones.
In her 20’s, her Uncle Johnny started “The Rory Miller Band”, and she began playing around Chicago and writing her own songs. She continued on with her Americana/Soul & Roots Rock band “Northern Magnolia” from 2010-2014 doing mostly her originals. She’s still writing with powerful vocals, tasty twang and tons of heart when she’s not momming like a mamma jamma!
After honing her craft in the gardening and floral industry bringing beauty to neighborhoods, rooftops and weddings for 15+ years, Rory joined the Stitely Team in August of 2018 as a music consultant and doing sales for our wedding division. She’s been a spark and a bright light adding humor and soul to the team. You’ll love working with Rory because she’s straight, she’s real and her energy is infectious.
Aversions: Out of tune instruments, anchovies, parking tickets and soymilk.
Loves: Dogs, flowers, airports, Pizano’s Pizza and free spirits.
Religion: Sincerity!
Sean Alvarez
Inspired by the creative force that is his family, Sean graduated from Ball State University in 2017 with a BA in Music Media Production. After studying abroad in England for 4 months, Sean had a solid platform of knowledge to build on with his focus on audio production, music production, recording, audio-visual composition and video editing.
In Rory’s attempt to get Sean’s trumpet dusted off, he ended up as Stitely’s Planning and Operations Coordinator. He’s the reason all parties involved in every event maintain sanity and everything runs exactly as it should! Sean is truly passionate about continuing to work in the music industry, and with his experience as an audio engineer, running live sound, and studio engineering, there really isn’t a better guy or gal to make sure your celebration will be planned and set up flawlessly.
Fun facts about Sean:
1. His highest bowling score was 174. Beat that!
2. Favorite band & biggest influence: Sidewalk Chalk and Jack Stauber
3. Greatest love song, we asked? “Always” -Erasure.
4. Work Ethic = “Doin’ it Right” - Daft Punk, “Panda Bear”
5. He prefers his eggs sunny side up and Antonio Banderas could easily play his dad in major cinema.
Brett Ihde
Brett is originally from Milwaukee, WI. He graduated from Columbia University in Chicago, IL with a bachelor’s degree in arts Entertainment Media Management in 2013. Brett began working in music from the age of 17 with his band Every Day Use. He has played and managed tours across the United States, England and France. He spent 2 years working at House of Blues in Chicago IL in the Production Department working with many national tour acts.
Brett has served on the Chicago chapter of the National Association of Catering and Events board from 2013 with two consecutive two year terms as treasurer and then president. He then moved on to serve as a member on the NACE National membership committee in 2018. Followed by a year on the NACE National governance committee in 2019. However, is returning to the NACE National membership committee in 2020.
In 2018 he required his CPCE certification (Certified Professional in Catering and Events).
Favorite Movies: The Life Aquatic, Ghostbusters, Iron Man
Favorite Quote: “No job is too big; no fee is too big.” – Peter Venkman
Favorite Hobby: Volunteering at Children’s hospitals in Cosplay gear