The SUU Satellite Salon Series presents 2023 Grammy-Finalists Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini on Saturday, September 20th, 2025 in the Thorley Recital Hall. Join us at 5:00 p.m. for a Live Q&A with the artists and at 7:30 p.m. for a Brazilian Jazz Fusion concert. The Satellite Salon Series is FREE and open to the public!

*Photo credit: Lauren Desberg Photography, via ragman.org

About the Artists

• Natalie Cressman has carved a remarkable path as both a trombonist and vocalist. A member of the touring band for Trey Anastasio (of Phish) since her late teens, she has also performed with artists such as Dave Matthews, Wycliffe Gordon, Anat Cohen, Nicholas Payton, and the SF Jazz Collective. Known for her “limitless enthusiasm and a knack for creating a sound that is entirely her own” (All About Jazz), she bridges genres from jazz to indie rock to Brazilian folk. With a soulful voice, virtuosic trombone playing, and a deep sense of musical storytelling, Cressman continues to captivate audiences worldwide both as a solo artist and in her ongoing duo project with Faquini.
• Ian Faquini is described by the Seattle Times as “an uncannily masterful composer.” With roots in Brasília and Berkeley, Faquini’s compositions fuse Brazilian pop music (MPB) with jazz, Impressionism, and regional rhythms such as maracatu, frevo, baião, xote, and toada. His acclaimed albums include Brasiliense (2014), Metal na Madeira (2016), and a meaningful partnership with Natalie Cressman yielding Setting Rays of Summer (2019), Auburn Whisper (2022), and an upcoming tribute album Guinga. This duo was also recognized as a finalist for Duo of the Year in the 2023 Jazz Journalists Critics Poll.

SUU Satellite Salon Series

The SUU Satellite Salon Series is a unique concert experience that brings together world-class musicians and artists for an engaging weekend of performances and learning. Held twice a year, in September and January, the series features a guest artist who participates in a small residency on the Southern Utah University campus.

The weekend typically begins with a masterclass open to both university and high school students, followed by a Q&A session styled after "Inside the Actor's Studio." On Saturday evening, the collaboration culminates in the dynamic Satellite Salon concert at 7:30 p.m., often incorporating visual art to create a multi-sensory experience for the audience. All events are free and take place in the Thorley Recital Hall in SUU's Music Building.