Since 2018, Julia A. Miller has served as the President & CEO of Delmark Records, a jazz and blues record label in the US which was founded in 1953 and celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2023.  Julia is the audio engineer at Delmark Riverside Studio, and is a member of the Recording Academy and sits on the GRAMMYS Blues Advisory committee.

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Prior to 2018, Julia was a professor in Sound and Studio Techniques at the School of the Art Institute in Chicago for seventeen years, and served simultaneously as the Guitar Department head at the Music Institute of Chicago for twenty years. Julia is a prize-winning electronic musician, co-leader of the avant-jazz band Volcano Radar, and she received a Doctorate in music composition from Northwestern University in 2005.

FRAN ALLEN-LEAKE – is EARS’ (Engineering and Recording Society) Co-Vice President, sits on the Steering Committee (Board of Directors), and along with late-husband Danny Leake, wrote/co-edited the EARdrum, the organization’s quarterly publication. Today, she continues her EARDrum duties, along with
new co-editor Lynn Orman. Professionally, Fran is a Music Producer, Public Relations Specialist, Production Manager, & Tour Director who initially began honing her craft as a top-rated entertainment public relations specialist handling local and Broadway Touring musicals.She is now the principal owner of LJET PRODUCTIONS – specializing in live and recorded Music Production and Concerts as well as Tour Direction,Public Relations & Special Events.

Reid Hyams - Founder, Owner, President of Chicago trax recording with over 100 industry accolades
including Gold/Platinum Records & Grammy Awards. Published author UofC Press with co-author William
Russo & co-producer with William Russo [Recorded examples]. Former faculty Columbia college “Music
Department, Art Entertainments Music Management & Audio Art and Acoustics”. Founding member of
EARS, Past co-chair, VP, Co-president and current co-vice president & member of board of directors/SC.
Former VP and Governor and current member of the Recording Academy Chicago chapter.

Discogs Discography

Jennifer Littleton has been an important advocate for Blues in Chicago for a long time.  Jennifer has managed, booked, and promoted blues clubs including Blues Etc., and Blues on Halsted.  Jennifer is a Board Member of the Chicago Blues Revival, on the Chicago Blues Festival Programming Committee, and is the Shop Manager for Delmark Records.

Oliver Fade is a DJ, music producer, engineer, Music Royalty Specialist and Grammy voting member. He was born in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico and raised on the South Side of Chicago. Surrounded by the cultural influences of the city and directly impacted by its violence, Fade found a sanctuary in music where he was able to embrace Hip Hop and Chicago’s very own House music.
 

Fade has participated as a speaker on multiple music panels in schools, community centers and even the Chicago Cultural Center. As a panelist, Fade advises youth and industry professionals about the music business, highlighting the importance of collecting digital music royalties, and speaking on his experience as both a DJ and producer. He has also taught DJing and audio engineering tips and tricks during studio sessions, and works with interns to help them navigate the ins and outs of the music industry with the understanding that information should be easy, and accessible.