Blue Earth Sound

Blue Earth Sound is the solo project of James Weir, a Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist, composer, and bandleader who draws deeply from the city's rich jazz and soul heritage. After years playing in rock bands like the post-punk group NE-HI and synth-rock band Spun Out, Weir found a new creative path inspired by ’70s Chicago jazz, soul, Japanese fusion, and vintage film scores. He began writing on piano in his basement, developing a warm, cinematic sound that blends organic grooves and immersive instrumentals. His debut album, *Cicero Nights*, released in 2025 on Root Records, features lush, transportive compositions that evoke late-night city vibes and reflective daytime strolls, crafted with contributions from a stellar local ensemble including drummer Patch Romanowski and guitarist Michael Wells.

The name Blue Earth Sound references Weir’s hometown in Minnesota but firmly plants the project in Chicago’s vibrant music scene. The album and its singles like “Mariposa,” “On the Court,” and “Lover’s Rock” bring together soulful jazz textures with a modern sensibility, earning praise for their thoughtful blending of genres and cinematic feel. What started as an intellectual exercise with piano blossomed into a collaborative jazz collective that explores nuanced moods and storytelling through instrumental jazz, marking a compelling debut for Weir as a composer and bandleader.