Jazz and Blues Lounge

A Sad Day in Chicago

by balaspa on February 15th, 2008

I know this is a music blog.  I have been struggling, since last night, to think of things to write here.  It should be some kind of respite for those in and around the Chicago area from the tragic events that happened here yesterday.  The problem is, I am not able to separate myself that much, I am afraid.

On the campus of nearby Northern Illinois University, yesterday, a gunman entered a lecture hall, came out from behind a curtain and started shooting.  As I write this, seven people including the gunman, was dead and 15 were in the hospital with injuries.  The school is located in nearby Dekalb Illinois.

Northern has a special place for me.  I was a DJ in Rockford, and Dekalb is midway between Chicago and Rockford.  I used to give away tickets to concerts taking place on the NIU campus.  Plus, NIU was a great place to check out both jazz and blues music.

This is a tip you can take if you are looking for a music tip.  Some of your best jazz and blues music is on your local college campus.  It’s an important place to keep an eye out for concerts and performances.  I went to Webster University in St. Louis and I remember seeing some of the best jazz music I have ever seen performed there by amazingly young talent.

However, NIU was also a school where my parents went, well before I was a twinkle in either of their eyes.  I have friends who went to NIU.  I have been to the NIU campus.

So, today, my heart is a bit heavy.  I send out my sympathies to all of the families of those involved in this tragedy.  It will be a long and drawn out process as police and the media try to figure out what happened and why. 

I promise, I will get back to the music stuff soon, perhaps even later today.  This morning, I am just wondering why this had to happen and when will it ever stop?

POSTED IN: Bands, Chicago, blues, jazz