Engineer / Producer
I like music to at once feel familiar, emotionally engaging and uniquely captured. I draw on years as a touring member of Red Red Meat, Orso and Ugly Casanova as well as my music education from Northern Illinois University. My approach can be heard on records by Ohmme, In Tall Buildings, Iron and Wine, Modest Mouse, Counting Crows, Califone, Josh Ritter and many others.
Producer / Drummer
Jim recently produced guitarist Chris Poland’s full length “Resistance”, Felicia Patton’s “Things Change”, Lindsay Anderson’s “Forgiving”, Denise Lagrassa’s “A Crossroads Communion” and Gregg Owen’s audiobook “Convergence”. He has recorded or performed with bassist Mike Gordon (Phish), guitarist Chris Poland (OHM, formerly Megadeth), guitarist Guthrie Govan (The Aristocrats), bassist Percy Jones (Brian Eno, Brand X), Phil Tarver, Anita Wilson, Sam Beam (Iron & Wine), Rhymefest, Malcolm Jamal Warner and Rudy Ray Moore among others.
Aeronautical Engineer
John Kemper does the important behind-the-scenes stuff that keeps Narwhal running. He also fixes our amps and outboard gear and he can fix yours too! He plays guitar and the Casio SK-1 and he appreciates if you pay your invoice.
KEMPER@NARWHALCHICAGO.COM
Engineer / Producer
My approach to recording is to document the emotional impact of a moment in music for it to tell a story for many years. As a songwriter and performer in Snake Pond, I have worked to amplify my own musical expression, and I extend that expertise to the artists I work with. You can hear my work on records by Alex Dupree, Taxi, Fake English, Calicoloco, China Rose, Sick Day, Lindsay Anderson, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran.
Vocalist / Arranger / Coach
Chicago South Side native Felicia Patton is an accomplished vocalist, educator and arranger whose roots span blues, jazz, and gospel. Holding two Master’s degrees in music and currently pursuing her doctorate, Felicia has performed extensively throughout Chicago and across the United States. She currently serves a church community in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, teaches private voice and piano and collaborates with artists as a vocal arranger and session background vocalist.
Engineer
In over two decades of recording and touring Paul has worked with Patti LaBelle, D’Angelo, Steve Aoki, Isaiah Sharkey, Dee Snyder, Lupe Fiasco, Ernest Dawkins, Calvin Bridges, Lemmie Battles, Byron Stingily, Manny Torres and many others. Paul is known for his meticulous approach to music and his flip flops.
Engineer / Producer
Jeff’s work has played a key role in over 30 Grammy-nominated projects. He has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music including Anita Wilson, Donald Lawrence, Hezekiah Walker, Justin Timberlake, The Clark Sisters, Yolanda Adams, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. His experience includes commercials, film mixes, live theater projects and working with organizations like Uniting Voices, Steppenwolf Theater, Starcom, SRW, and RA Imaging. Jeff is known for his craftsmanship and commitment to realizing creative visions and he also shares his expertise as an instructor at SAE Institute Chicago.
Engineer / Producer
Rick Fritz is an engineer with a career spanning over 30 years in music production and tech. Once an aspiring session guitarist, Rick has become one of the most well-respected and innovative leaders in the Chicago music community. His professional credits speak for themselves - having worked with legends from Brian Wilson to Lizzo to Toby Keith to Jamila Woods - and he has worked not only across genres in music but in television and radio broadcasting as well. The quality of his musical discography is only amplified by his kind spirit, patience, and positive outlook.
Engineer / Producer
Nick moved from Baltimore, MD to work at Narwhal in 2023. He got his start recording professionally at Baltimore's Lineup Room studio downtown where he also worked at a youth education program called Beats Not Bullets. Nick likes working on punk projects like his own - Crime in Antarctica and Drinking Julia - and Chicago locals Cherry Decay, Big Step, and Sports Radio.
Engineer / Producer
Max Mendeloff is a producer, engineer and musician based in Chicago. He has a passion for both the technical and creative sides of music and he brings a fun and collaborative energy to every session. He specializes in capturing authentic performances that help artists shape their sound. Max has worked with Common, Leon Thomas, Martin Bandz, Denise Lagrassa, Treelawn, Heather Mall and many others.
Engineer
Sam Aviles is a Chicago-based, Spanish speaking recording engineer and saxophonist with a passion for capturing artist’s best sounds. She's worked with a variety of artists including Scarlet Rage, Yna and The Seasons, Arm Candy and Mariachi Sirenas. She specializes in genres that span Latin Urbano to R&B, and hip hop. A lifelong musician, Sam brings a musician's ear and a deep respect for artistry to every session.
Engineer
Originally from California, Emma Brooks is a Graduate of Columbia College’s Audio Arts program and she has been engineering at Narwhal ever since. She has worked with Cameron, Yasmine, Yin Waster, Sodalis and others. She is known for her attention to detail, her easy boardside manner and her recent trip to Paris.
Engineer
Q is originally from upper lower Michigan and they used to play clarinet. Q is graduate of Columbia College’s Audio Arts program and they have been engineering at Narwhal ever since. Q has worked with Rommulas, 2hollis, Jeff Libersher of Cheer Accident, Ronnie Malley, Uniting Voices, Andre Pluess and many others.
