Lily Finnegan

Biography

Lily Finnegan is a Chicago-born and -based drummer, composer, improviser, and organizer who has quickly established herself as one of the most distinctive and community-committed voices in the contemporary free jazz and experimental music scenes. Recognized as a “Chicagoan of Note” by the Chicago Reader and named among the next generation of jazz musicians by the Chicago Sun-Times, Finnegan brings an electric energy to her craft. Her musical background uniquely encompasses punk, rock, and free improvisation, blending a physical, raw directness with a sophisticated, avant-garde melodic sensibility. This genre-bending approach allows her to move seamlessly between heavy grooves and abstract Sonic landscapes, making her a vital force in modern creative music.

Finnegan leads her own powerhouse quartet, Heat On, whose debut album was released on Cuneiform Records to wide critical acclaim, earning glowing reviews in DownBeat, Wire Magazine, and Dusted. Described as a love letter to Chicago, the project showcases her freedom-in-swing philosophy alongside legendary multi-generational collaborators. Beyond her own quartet, Finnegan is a core member of Ken Vandermark’s dynamic ensemble Edition Redux and maintains an urgent, hyperactive co-led duo project with experimental violinist gabby fluke-mogul, releasing boundary-pushing recordings on Sonic Transmission Records. Her versatile artistry has also led to extensive collaborations with pioneering figures such as Nicole Mitchell, James Brandon Lewis, Tomeka Reid, and Fay Victor.

Deeply invested in the intersection of music, history, and social movements, Finnegan holds a degree in sociology and music from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Master’s degree from the Berklee College of Music, where she studied under the mentorship of legendary drummer and activist Terri Lyne Carrington. For Finnegan, building community infrastructure is just as essential as performance. She actively co-curates the acclaimed Option Series at Chicago’s Experimental Sound Studio, providing a crucial platform for contemporary approaches to improvisation. As a proud member of the Catalytic Sound cooperative, she continues to foster sustainable networks for independent artists and adventurous listeners worldwide. Whether driving a avant-jazz quartet, firing up a punk set, or organizing international festivals, Finnegan approaches her art with a steadfast commitment to creative freedom, continuous exploration, and the unstoppable evolution of improvised sound.