Jazz & Blues Lounge

Chicago is a city  just big enough to have a number of independent record labels.  This is a good thing, of course, because it means there is a large selection of music to choose from.  One record label for those of you who are fans of jazz that you may want to look out for is 482music.
According to their website:  “482 Music releases the work of jazz, world and and improv artists who create what often resists assignment to a specific style, music that blends or bends conventional categorizations. Our goal is to seek out and release music that is …read more

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Chicago has a lot of jazz clubs.  You just have to face it.  This is a big time jazz and blues town, so there are a lot of clubs.  Trust me, this is a good thing.  For the better part of a month you could visit a different jazz club every week and not be disappointed.
There are some you should keep toward the top of your list.  If you happen to be from out of town, and are making a pilgrimmage here, this is a first in a series about clubs you should keep at the top of your list.
The …read more

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When you come to Chicago and you are a fan of the blues, there is one name you are likely to hear is Buddy Guy.  The man has been around forever, has his own club where bands like the Rolling Stones like to play when they are in town, and has been  inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Buddy’s club is known as Buddy Guy’s Legends.  Pretty much anyone who is anyone in the blues world likes to play here.  I have never heard anyone complain about a night spent at Legends.  So, I must tell you, if you are a …read more

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As a follow up to my last post, I thought I would take a moment to show you some more information about Chicago Blues legend, Koko Taylor.  She’s been around for a while but still going strong.  Not only did she open the Chicago Blues Festival, but she just released a new album, Old School, on the also-legendary Chicago Blues label, Alligator Records.
Koko is a blues vocalist in the most-classic style.  She can blow you away or make you cry.  She is also a heckuva lot of fun as evidenced by her many appearances on local Chicago radio programs.
If you …read more

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Although it happened back in May, just before the Chicago Blues Festival, it is worth noting that the woman many Chicago blues fans consider the “Queen of Chicago Blues”, Koko Taylor, received an honor from the city.  In fact, the city of Chicago gave her a Chicago Treasure Award.
The award was presented at the end of May by the City of Chicago Department of Aging.  It was presented at an event called “Serendipity: Celebrating Chicago Seniors Onstage” which was held a the Chicago Theatre.
Taylor released on of her most-acclaimed albums just this year with her release of “Old School.”  Many …read more

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Wow, I didn’t think it would be this hard to find information about the Chicago Jazz Festival.  I must say, the Festival’s website is rather poorly updated.  I finally was able to find information about the festival and the lineup through the City of Chicago’s website and their festival section.
Here is a link directly to the article about the lineup.
The festival will be from August 30 – September 2, 2007.  It starts with a ticketed concert at the Chicago Symphony Center on August 20.  Then it moves to a free venue at Grant Park for the rest of the weekend.
The …read more

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OK, finding a good jazz and blues club in Chicago is actually more difficult than you might think.  There are so many, it’s hard to know which one to visit and which one will be worth the effort.
Quite honestly, one of the best resources for you to find information about all of the music that’s going on in Chicago is the Chicago Reader.  They can be found at www.chicagoreader.com.  They have really talented people reviewing everything from pop to classical.  They also devote a huge amount of ink and web space to covering jazz and blues.  Finally, they have a …read more

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Regular blogger, Peter Margasak, of the Chicago Reader has posted about a new exhibit at the Chicago City Arts Gallery that seems to combine arts and jazz.  It’s called “The Music Show” and it features photographs of local jazz musicians taken by Lauren Deutsch among other local artists.  Lauren is also the executive director of Jazz Institute of Chicago.
Trumpeter Bill Dixon is also participating.  In addition to his prodigious talents as a jazz artist, he is also know for his visual artistry.  Along with those are Ann Ponce, James Conley, and Beatriz Ledesma.
The show runs until July 11.  Dixon will …read more

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July 28th and 29th
At Andy’s Jazz Club located in the River North neighborhood at the intersection of State Street and Hubbrd.
Ken Peplowski Quartet
Ken was one of Benny Goodman’s proteges and is a renowned jazz clarinetist.
Shows at 8 and 10 pm.
Check out www.andysjazzclub.com for more information.
The Gale Street Inn
Ribfest! 
Yes, nothing like combining jazz and ribs at the legendary Chicago Jazz Club, the Gale Street Inn.  The event is August 1 throuh August 12th.  It’s a great way to help the Inn celebrate their anniversary.
Check out www.galestreetinn.com for further details.
The Green Mill
Renowned for its jazz and poetry slams, the Green Mill has …read more

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It was unseasonably warm, but the crowds came out in throngs to view the latest Chicago Blues Festival which ended June 10th.  The festival took place in Chicago’s Grant Park.
The Festival opened with a performance by Chicago’s “Queen of the Blues” Koko Taylor.  The Day Two was capped by a reunion of Billy Branch’s Sons of Blues.  The 30th Anniversary Reunion was a whos who of Blues with performances by Lurrie Bell, Carl Weathersby, Carlos Johnson, Vernon Harrington, J.W. Williams and others.  The song list included a tribute to the late Carey Bell.
Just before that performance another “Super Group” performed.  …read more

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