On February 23, 2024, the Jazz Institute of Chicago held its Winter Jazz Fair at the Chicago Cultural Center. The day-long festival provided a welcome and much needed relief from the Winter blahs. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day.
All in Musicians
Loops With Jeff Parker
Tonight I attended a performance by Chicago guitarist Jeff Parker and the New Breed. To my ears, the music was inspired by early-Seventies Soft Machine, but with far more electronics added to the mix. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening.
The Electric Hippo
On November 3, 2023, Theon Cross brought his electrified tuba to the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. It was quite a night of innovative jazz fusion, with some hip hop added to the voodoo. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening’s performance.
Ben Wendel
On October 21, 2023, tenor saxophonist Ben Wendel brought his quintet to the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, together with visual artist Xuan. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening.
Alarm Will Sound
Last Friday night I had the pleasure of attending a world premiere performance by Alarm Will Sound at the University of Chicago’s Logan Center, where the ensemble had been recording an album since Tuesday. The live performance was also recorded. Here are my impressions, together with images from this historic performance.
Chicago Jazzfest--Day 4
The Four-day 2023 Chicago Jazz Festival came to an end this evening. The temperatures soared, but the relaxed informal vibe and great music kept everyone cool. Here are my thought and photographs about the festival’s final day.
Chicago Jazzfest--Day 3
South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini gave a breakout performance during Day 3 of the 2023 Chicago Jazz Festival. If you are fan of Abdullah Ibrahim or McCoy Tyner, Makhathini is your man. For my thoughts about and images of Makhathini and all the other musicians who performed today, click on the following link:
Chicago Jazzfest--Day 2
Day 2 of the 2023 Chicago Jazz Festival is now in the history books. There were many excellent performances, including ones by the Ari Brown Quintet, and singer Kurt Elling, with Charlie Hunter on guitar. Here are my thoughts about and images from Day 2.
Chicago Jazzfest--Day 1
Day 1 of the 2023 Chicago Jazzfest is now history. Some great players took part, including Ron Carter, Chico Freeman, George Freeman, Ernest Dawkins, Marlene Rosenberg, and Oscar Evely. Here are my thoughts and images from this extraordinary day.
Gary Bartz
Acclaimed saxophonist Gary Bartz is in Chicago this weekend at the famed Jazz Showcase. I caught his first set tonight, which was stellar. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening.
Charles McPherson
I had the opportunity to see and hear alto saxophonist Charles McPherson three times over the last month. Here are my thoughts about what I heard and the accompanying images.
World Refugee Day
Chicago paid homage to World Refugee Day with a noon-time celebration in Daley Plaza. Unfortunately, the event was poorly attended, which is too bad. Here are my brief thoughts and some images from the festivities.
Bluesfest 2023
Tonight, the 2023 Chicago Bluesfest kicked off its four-day run in Chicago’s Millennium Park. The night included a centennial tribute to Albert King, as well as spell-bounding performances from 89-year old Bobby Rush and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Here are my thoughts about and images from a delightful evening of music.
Linda May Han Oh
Bassist Linda May Han Oh performed this past Saturday night at the Reva and David Logan Center for the arts with a group of top-flight jazz musicians. Here are my thoughts about and images about the evening.
Aldana
Saxophonist Melissa Aldama looked to the stars for inspiration during her performance tonight, keeping evil Clotho at bay. Here are my thoughts about and images from the performance.
Joel Ross
Vibraphonist Joel Ross put on a spectacular performance this evening at the University of Chicago. Here are my thought about and images from the evening.
HPJF 2022 (Day 2)
The Sixteenth Annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival is held over two days. Here are my thoughts about and images from the second day.
HPJF 2022 (Day 1)
Day 1 of the Sixteenth Annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival was spectacular, with a wide variety of music to be heard. Here are my thoughts and some of the many images I captured.
Chicago Jazzfest (IV)
Today, I attended the fourth day of the 2022 Chicago Jazzfest. While I was not thrilled with closing act Donald Harrison, there was still plenty of excellent music, including performances by Kris Davis, Nick Mazzarella, Denise Thimes, and Dee Alexander. Here are my thoughts all the music I heard over a nine-hour period, together with my images.
Chicago Jazzfest (III)
Today, I attended the third day of the 2022 Chicago Jazzfest. The high school students who played on the Harris Rooftop were one of the highlights of the day, while bassist William Parker wins the award for the most invigorating performance of the day. Here are my thoughts on the high schoolers, Parker and the other music I heard over a nine-hour period, together with my images.