Mallinger
The winter chill returned to Chicago today, but Chicago saxophonist Pat Mallinger brought a trio to the Museum of Contemporary Art to warm the air and kick off the Tuesdays Jazz on the Terrace annual series. With Mallinger, were Pete Benson on piano and Matt Ferguson on bass. The three played a varied set, honoring a request for Johnny Green's 1930 classic Body and Soul, adding Horace Silver's Peace to the mix, stirring in Cole Porter's I Concentrate on You, and changing up with John Coltrane and Charlie Parker compositions. Lots of solos. This trio can play sonorous ballads, as well as cascading motifs.
The MCA should be pleased with the attendance given the chill in air. Most of the seats were filled, but the lawn didn't have the dozens of kids running around. The MCA changed up this year's menu, switching from grilled burgers and hot dogs to pulled pork and brisket sandwiches. The brisket was tasty.
In upcoming weeks we will see Grammy winning Eight Blackbird, Marquis Hill, Corey Wilkes, the Fred Anderson Legacy Band, the Miyumi Project, Maggie Brown, and Joshua Abrams and Jeff Parker. There is no shortage of jazz in Chicago.
Copyright 2016, Jack B. Siegel. All Rights Reserved
