Jazz & Blues Lounge

The Jazz and Blues Shows for the Weekend of August 1

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 04:00:52 +0000

Well, the month of July is now in the history books for the year of 2008. It’s hotter than all hell here in the Windy City, but there’s nothing cooler than hanging out in a jazz or blues club and checking out a show. Of course, when looking at the calendar for both genres of music at WDCB, there isn’t much in the way of blues shows listed there.

Of course, the city is holding its breath for the Lollapalooza show this weekend. Why they always manage to end up doing that on the hottest damn weekend of the summer, I have no idea. So, this city will be crowded with young people with various things pierced and lots of tattoos and wearing interesting clothing. It may be a good time to check out a jazz show.

As always, thanks to WDCB for the information below.

JAZZ

Jazz on the Terrace
Friday, August 1; 9 p.m.
DANK-HAUS, Chicago

Dee Alexander Quartet
Friday, August 1; 9:30 pm
Velvet Lounge (new location), Chicago

Jeremy Kahn Trio
Friday, August 1; 6:30 pm
Andy’s, Chicago

Elaine Dame in concert with pianist, Jeremy Kahn
Friday, August 1; 12:15-1:00 pm
Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago

Frank Catalano Band
Friday, August 1; 9:30 pm
Andy’s, Chicago

Green Mill Quartet Jam Session
Friday, August 1; 1:30 to 4 am
Green Mill, Chicago

Ava Logan Quartet
Friday, August 1; 8 pm to 12:30 am
Pete Miller’s – Wheeling, Wheeling

Joel Paterson Trio
Friday, August 1; 8 pm to 12:30 am
Pete Miller’s – Schaumburg, Schaumburg

Harry Allen Quartet with Andy Brown, Kelly Sill and Joel Spencer
Friday, August 1; Sets at 8 and 10
Jazz Showcase, Chicago

Barry Winograd Trio at C.J. Arthur’s in Wilmette
Friday, August 1, 2008; 8:30pm to 11:30pm
C.J. Arthur’s, Wilmette

Ryan Cohan Trio
Friday, August 1; 9 pm to 1 am
Pete Miller’s – Evanston, Evanston

The Elaine Dame Duo
Saturday, August 2; 7:00-10:00 pm
Broadway Cellars, Chicago

Bob Dogan & Ryan Shultz Quartet
Saturday, August 2; 6:30 pm
Andy’s, Chicago

Cabaret mit Teeth with the Greg Ward Quintet
Saturday, August 2; 8:00 PM
Acme Art Works at St Paul’s Church, Chicago

After Hours Jazz Party with Sabertooth
Saturday, August 2; midnight to 4
Green Mill, Chicago

Frank Catalano Band
Saturday, August 2; 9:30 pm
Andy’s, Chicago

Paul Abella Trio at Naperville Veggie Fest
Saturday, August 2; 3 to 5 pm
Science of Spirituality Meditation Center, Naperville

Ernest Dawkins Quartet
Saturday, August 2; 8 pm to 12:30 am
Pete Miller’s – Schaumburg, Schaumburg

Ryan Cohan Trio
Saturday, August 2; 9 pm to 1 am
Pete Miller’s – Evanston, Evanston

Ava Logan Quartet
Saturday, August 2; 8 pm to 12:30 am
Pete Miller’s – Wheeling, Wheeling

Harry Allen Quartet with Andy Brown, Kelly Sill and Joel Spencer
Saturday, August 2; Sets at 8 and 10
Jazz Showcase, Chicago

Isaiah Spencer and the Originals
Saturday, August 2; 9:30 pm
Velvet Lounge (new location), Chicago

Petra van Nuis & Larry Harris Duo
Sunday, August 3; 5:00 pm to 9:00pm
Chambers, Niles

Andy’s Jam Session
Sunday, August 3; 9 pm to 1 am
Andy’s, Chicago

Kimberly Gordon Organ Trio
Sunday, August 3; 11 pm to 2 am
Green Mill, Chicago

Martez Rucker Trio
Sunday, August 3; 5 pm
Andy’s, Chicago

Frank Russell, Buddy Fambro, Greg Spero, Malcolm Banks, Tony Carpenter
Sunday, August 3; 7:30 to 11:30 pm
Checkerboard Lounge, Chicago

Isaiah Spencer’s Jam Session
Sunday, August 3; 9:30 to midnight
Velvet Lounge (new location), Chicago

Scott Earl Holman
Sunday, August 3; 6pm – 10pm
Chicago Chop House, Chicago

Harry Allen Quartet with Andy Brown, Kelly Sill and Joel Spencer
Sunday, August 3; Sets at 4, 8 and 10
Jazz Showcase, Chicago

AACM Great Black Music Ensemble directed by Mwata Bowden
Sunday, August 3; 6 to 8 pm
Velvet Lounge (new location), Chicago

BLUES

July 31, 2008
Carlos Johnson
Buddy Guy’s Legends , Chicago

August 6, 2008
Barrelhouse Chuck
Pete Miller’s – Wheeling, Wheeling

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

More Performances at the Chicago Jazz Festival

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 04:00:56 +0000

Continuing our look at the upcoming Chicago Jazz Festival, I wanted to continue to show you the various stages. We have already covered the Pritzker Pavillion concert which will kick things off on August 28. We have also covered what is, essentially, the main stage which is the Petrillo Music Shell. We also ran down the lineup at the “Jazz on Jackson Stage” and you can find all of those if you just page down. There is one more stage to cover and that is the “Jazz & Heritage Stage.”

Jazz and Heritage Stage

Friday, August 29, 2008
12:30-1:30 – Kenwood Academy Jazz Band with Composer in Residency Nicole Mitchell
2:00-3:00 – “History of Jazz” with Ron Perillo
3:30-4:30 – “Jimmy’s Jam Session” featuring Curtis Black Quartet plus Ahmad Salaheldeen, Edward House, Zaid Krisberg

Saturday, August 30, 2008
12:30-1:30 – James Sanders’ Conjunto
2:00-3:00 – “Percussion Discussion” with Thurman Barker
3:30-4:30 – Walter Dyett: Remembering a Jazz Warrior

Sunday, August 31, 2008
12:30-1:30 Vijay Iyer: Composer Talk
2:00-3:00 “Art of the Solo” featuring Julian Priester
3:30-4:30 Karl Montzka Quartet

The website linked above also has a brief paragraph about some other Jazz Festival activities going on during the week of the festival. From the website:

“The city of Chicago celebrates Jazz all week-long, beginning Monday, August 25 with a Chicago Jazz Partnership free concert at Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion, a Jazz Institute of Chicago Gala Fundraiser on Tuesday, August 26 and the Jazz Institute of Chicago’s Jazz Club Tour on Wednesday, August 27.”

I will try to dig up some information about the Jazz Institute of Chicago’s Jazz Club Tour because I hear that is a must-see and must-do kind of activity for the week of the festival. If you’ve ever wanted to visit the key jazz clubs in Chicago, this is the way to do it.

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

The New Releases for the Week of July 28

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 04:00:08 +0000

I know this is a day late. That’s what happens when your critical lifeline, AllAboutJazz.com, goes down and won’t come up during the time I slot to write this particular blog. That’s what happened to me on Tuesday and I had to go with another blog about the Chicago Jazz Festival. I hate it when my personal schedule gets disrupted.

It’s a busy week for new releases and reissues. So, without further ado, here is the list from the fine folks at AllAboutJazz.com:

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

NEW RELEASES

32 Festival De Jazz De Vitoria-Gasteiz – 32 Festival De Jazz De Vitoria-Gasteiz (Pid )
Adriana Calcanhotto – Mare (Pid )
Airto Moreira – Identity (BMG Japan )
Airto Moreira – Promises Of The Sun (BMG Japan )
Akiko Grace – Old & New-Retrun To New York- (Pid )
Al Cohn / Barry Harris – Barry Harris Trio With Al Cohn (Gambit Spain )
Albert Hammond Jr. – Como Te Llama ? (Pid )
Allan Browne & Margie Lou Dyer – Allfrey Street (Pid )
Alyssa Graham – Echo (Sunnyside Records)
Andre Kostelanetz – Scarborough Fair & Other Great Movie Hits / Traces (Collectables )
Andre Kostelanetz – Stereo Wonderland Of Golden Hits (Collectables )
Andre Kostelanetz – Today’s Golden Hits / The Shadow Of Your Smile (Collectables )
Andre Kostelanetz – Scarborough Fair & Other Great Movie Hits/Traces (Collectables )
Andre Kostelanetz – Stereo Wonderland of Golden Hits/I Wish You Love (Collectables )
Andre Kostelanetz – Today’s Golden Hits/The Shadow of Your Smile (Collectables )
Andre Kostelanetz – Stereo Wonderland of Golden Hits/ I Wish You Love (Collectables )
Andre Kostelanetz – Today’s Golden Hits/ The Shadow of Your Smile (Collectables )
Andrea Pozza Trio – Drop This Thing (Pid )
Andy McKee – Art Of Motion (Candyrat Records )
Antonio Carlos Jobim – Mucha & Tom Jobim (BMG Japan )
Art Blakey & Jazz Messengers – With Thelonious Monk (Pid )
Banda Black Rio – Gafieira Universal (BMG Japan )
Barney Wilen – Dear Prof. Leary (MPS )
Barney Wilen – Dear Prof Leary (MPS )
Battle Jazz Bigband 3rd – Battle Jazz Bigband 3rd (Pid )
Beginners Guide To Latin Jazz – Beginner’s Guide To Latin Jazz (Nascente/Box )
Black Hole Quartet – Black Hole Quartet (Pid )
Blue Note Jazz Band: Early Days 1968-1978 – Blue Note Jazz Band: Early Days 1968-1978 (Saydisc )
Bobby Hackett – Most Beautiful Horn In The World / The Night Love (Collectables )
Bobby Hackett – The Most Beautiful Horn In the World/Night Love (Collectables )
Bobby Hackett – The Most Beautiful Horn In the World/ Night Love (Collectables )
Bobby Mcferrin – Don’t Worry, Be Happy (Collectables )
Brecker Brothers – Return Of The Brecker Brothers (Verve )
Buckcherry – 15 (Universal Japan )
Candy Dulfer – Candy Store Tour Edition (Pid )
Cannonball Adderley – Quintet Plus (Universal Japan )
Cape Town Jazz – Cape Town Jazz (Sheer Sound )
Changyao Zhu – Erhu Art Of (Pid )
Cheo Hat – Vietnamese Folk Theatre (Pid )
Chet Baker – Estate (Gambit Spain )
Chris Connor – All About Ronnie: Bethlehem Recordings 1953-55 (Acrobat [cit570] )
Chukp’A Kim – Kayagum : Sanjo (Pid )
Clementine – Chocolat Et Sweets (Pid )
Daniel Colin – French Cafe Music-Swing!Musette (Pid )
Daniel Colin – French Cafe Music Swing Musette (Phantom Sound & Vision )
Distel / Lewis – Afternoon In Paris (Pid )
Divas Du Jazz – Divas Du Jazz (Wagram )
Dizzy Gillespie – Cool World (Verve )
Dizzy Gillespie – The Cool World (Verve )
Dizzy Reece – Asia Minor (Universal Japan )
Dr. John – City Lights (Verve )
Duduka Da Fonseca – Samba Jazz Fantasia (Anzic )
Dusko Goykovich – Handful O’Soul (Pid )
Dusko Goykovich – Samba Do Mar (Pid )
Dusko Goykovich – Balkan Blue (Pid )
Dusko Goykovich – In My Dreams (Pid )
Dusko Goykovich – Portrait (Pid )
Ekkehard Wolk Ensemble – Homage To Nino Rota (Pid )
Ellen Goynor – Lazy Jazz Of Goynor Ellen (Pid )
Eloise Laws – Love Factory (Castle/Sequel )
Elvin Jones – It Don`t Mean A Thing (Pid )
Elvin Jones – When I Was At Aso Mountain (Pid )
Elvin Jones – In Europe (Pid )
Erin Bode – The Little Garden (Native Language)
Erin Bode – Little Garden (Native Language Music )
Felix Cavaliere – Nudge It Up A Notch (Fantasy )
Gale Garnett & The – Gale Garnett & The Gentle Reign (Phantom Sound & Vision )
Gale Garnett & The Gentle Reign – Gale Garnett & The Gentle Reign (Pid )
Gaynor Ellen – Lazy Jazz Of Gaynore Ellen24bt (Hi-Note Music )
George Otsuka – Maracaibo (Pid )
Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orchestra – Casa Loma In Hi Fi (Collectables )
Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orchestra – Swingin Decade (Collectables )
Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orchestra – Casa Loma In Hi-Fi (Collectables )
Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orchestra – Swingin’ Decade (Collectables )
Glen Gray & The Casa Loma Orchestra – Casa Loma In Hi-Fi! (Collectables )
Hiroyuki Namba – Golden Best Nanba Hiroyuki (Pid )
Hugh Masekela – Home Is Where The Music Is (Verve )
Hugo Fattoruso & Tomohiro Yahiro – DOS Orientales (Pid )
Ichiro Masuda – My Way (Pid )
Ichiro Masuda – Bewithed-Richard Rodgers Song Book (Pid )
Ichiro Masuda – Cheeck To Cheek-Irving Berlin Song (Pid )
Ichiro Masuda – What Is This Things Called Love-Co (Pid )
Ivan Lins – Modo Liver (Pid )
JFK Quintet – New Jazz Frontiers From Washington (Universal Japan )
Jin Chau – Traditional Songs Of Hue (Pid )
Joachim Kuhn – Sunshower (Wounded Bird )
Joao Donato – New Sound Of Brazil (BMG Japan )
John Klemmer – Barefoot Ballet (Verve )
John Schroder – Sir Lemuel’s Dance (Pirouet )
John Tchicai – Afrodisiaca (MPS )
Johnny Griffin – Lady Heavy Bottons Waltz (Pid )
Johnny Music Almond – Hollywood Blues (Phantom Sound & Vision )
Johnny Music Machine Almond – Hollywood Blues (Pid )
Jun Fukamachi – Golden Best Fukamachi Jun (Pid )
Kiyoto Fujiwara – Jump Monk (Pid )
Ku’Uipo Kumukahi – Let’s Hula With-Hawaii’s Sweethear (Pid )
Lee Konitz – Stereokonitz (Pid )
Life Music 9 – Life Music 9 Rio De Janeiro (Pid )
Locomotora Negra – Jazzin & Dancin 08 (Pid )
London Stars Orchestra & Singer – Mamma Mia! (BCD )
Luiza – Luiza (BMG Japan )
Mabumi Yamaguchi – Mabumi (Pid )
Mark Murphy – Rah (Universal Japan )
Masaki Ueda – Golden Best Ueda Masaki (Pid )
Maximum Sound Presents – Maximum Sound Presents-Breezy One Dr (Pid )
Maynard Ferguson – Octet (Verve )
Michael Franks – Best Of Michael Franks: A Backward Glanceocrd (Rhino )
Michael Franks – The Best of Michael Franks: a Backward Glance (Rhino )
Michael Franks – Best Of Michael Franks: A Backward Glance (Warner Brothers )
Mike Westbrook – Celebration (Universal Japan )
Mike Westbrook – Marching Song Vol.1 (Universal Japan )
Mike Westbrook – Marching Song Vol.2 (Universal Japan )
Milt Jackson – Live At The Museum Of Modern Art (Verve )
Miucha – & Antonio Carlos Jobim (Pid )
Natasha K. Oda Selects Best Of Hula – Natasha K. Oda Selects Best Of Hula (Pid )
Nobuyuki Yanagisawa – Memories Of You (Pid )
Olaf Kubler – Turtles-Live At Domicile 1968 (Pid )
Pablo Held – Forest Of Oblivion (Pirouet )
Pamovio A / Rec R / Ruggeri G – Tears And Smiles (Pid )
Pamovio A / Rec R / Ruggeri G – Tears & Smiles (Pid )
Pierre Sward – Up And At It (Pid )
Plunky – Drive It (Name Brand )
Pony Poindexter – Gumbo (Universal Japan )
Pork Pie – Transitory (MPS )
Quagero Imazawa – Bassist Electric (Pid )
Ramsey Lewis – Goin’ Latin (Verve )
Richie Cole – West Side Story (Venus Jazz )
Richie Havens – Nobody Left To Crown (Verve Forecast )
Ron Carter – Jazz & Bossa (Emd Int’L )
Ron Westray – Medical Cures For The Chromatic Commands Of The Inner City (Blue Canoe )
Ronnie Mathews – Dointhankg (Universal Japan )
Rosinha De Valenca – Um Violao Em Primeiro Plano (BMG Japan )
Roy Haynes – Cracklin (Universal Japan )
Sambossa 5 – Zero Hora (BMG Japan )
Sergio Fernandez – Mob Rule (Hi-Note Music )
Shigeru Kayano – Yukar The Ainu Epic Songs (Pid )
Shu-Feng He – Chinese Pipa (Pid )
Sinh Kim – Soul Music Of Vietnam (Pid )
Smell Trio – Naiko (Pid )
Stan Getz – Sweet Rain (Verve )
Steppin’ Jazz Sol – Steppin’ Jazz Sol (Pid )
Thelonious Monk – Evolution Of An Artist (Zyx )
Thierry Lang – Lyoba (Musiques Suisses )
Various Artists – Beginner’s Guide To Latin Jazz (Demon Music Group )
Various Artists – Cape Town Jazz (Sheer Sound )
Voice+Bossa – Voice+Bossa (Video Arts Japan )
Walt Dickerson – This Is Walt Dickerson (Universal Japan )
Wes Montgomery – Wes Montgomery:Best Of (Collectables )
Wes Montgomery – The Best of Wes Montgomery (Collectables )
Wes Montgomery – Best Of Wes Montgomery (Collectables )
Willie Bobo – Bobo Motion (Verve )
Yasuko Agawa – Meu Romance (Pid )
Yasuko Agawa – Miss-A-Mixture (Pid )
Yoku Tamura – Ballad For Hamp (Pid )
Yoku Tamura – Jazz Prestige (Pid )
Yoku Tamura – You & Me (Pid )
Yoku Tamura – Memories Of Summertime (Pid )
Yoku Tamura – Sweet Amami (Pid )
Yoku Tamura – Blue Wing (Pid )

REISSUES

Ahmad Jamal – Happy Moods (Jazz Beat )
Art Blakey – Ugetsu (Riverside)
Art Pepper – Eleven (Pid )
Bill Evans – Portrait In Jazz (Universal)
Elvin Jones – Going Home (Enja)
John Coltrane – Blue Train (Phantom Sound & Vision )
Latin Jazz Quintet – Latin Soul (Newjazz)
Michael Garrick – Black Marigolds (Vocalion)
Michael Garrick – Cold Mountain (Vocalion)
Miles Davis – Miles Davis (Platnium)

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

More Stages and More Performers at the Chicago Jazz Festival

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:00:45 +0000

The Chicago Jazz Festival is coming and it’s coming up fast. This is a good thing, even if you are disappointed that it also means the end of summer is fast approaching. It’s a great thing if you happen to be a fan of jazz music. It’s an opportunity to see more jazz than you could even imagine. The entire city is a jazz metropolis during the weekend of the festival and the various jazz clubs go all-out for the people in fromt out of town.

So, continuing my breakdown of who is playing and at what stage, let’s take a look at the Jazz on Jackson Stage today.

Jazz on Jackson Stage

Friday through Sunday don’t miss the New Orleans All Star Brass Band performing at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Jackson Blvd. between Columbus and Lake Shore Drive

Friday, August 29, 2008
12:00-12:55 – Isotope 217
1:10-2:05 – Jazz Guitar Summit featuring Curtis Robinson, John Moulder, Jeff Parker, Buddy Fambro, Ernie Adams and Josh Abrams
2:20-3:15 – Alison Ruble Sextet
3:30-4:30 – “Jazz has the Blues” featuring George Freeman and Billy Branch, Ari Brown and Corey Wilkes

Saturday, August 30, 2008
12:00-12:55 – Jo Ann Daugherty Quartet
1:10-2:10 – Chicago Bass Masters featuring Larry Gray, Harrison Bankhead, Ari Brown, Avreeayl Ra, Art Hoyle and Edward Wilkerson
2:20-3:15 – John Wright Quartet
3:30-4:30 – Kenny Burrell with Larry Gray, Willie Pickens and Joel Spencer

Sunday, August 31, 2008
12:00-12:55 – Frank D’Rone Quartet
1:10-2:10 – “Chicago Keys” with – Bob Dogan and Jim Trompeter
2:20-3:15 – Josh Berman and His Gang
3:30-4:30 – Sean Jones Quintet

I will be getting you information this week about the new jazz albums and reissues, but the website I use for that was down and I wasn’t able to get to that. At the same time, come back here later this week as we break down all of the stages you will find at the Chicago Jazz Festival. There’s a lot more to go.

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

It’s Almost Here! The Chicago Jazz Festival

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 04:00:55 +0000

The month of August is nearly upon us. This means the summer, as far as schools and the cit of Chicago is concerned, is amost over. Chicago always has a festival season that starts with the Chicago Blues Festival and then it ends with the Chicago Jazz Festival. The Festival is nearly upon us, folks! As amazing as that seems, the fact remains, the dates are almost here and that means Fall will be shortly on its heels. So, you can start practicing your complaining about winter now, if you wish.

So, this week, I am going to take a look at the performers and performances at the various stages during the Chicago Jazz Festival which starts the evening of August 28 and continues through Sunday August 31. It all happens right downtown, at the same place that the Blues Festival took place and I do hope to attend at least one day and report live like I did for the Blues Festival.

The Jay Pritzker Pavillion – Millenium Park

Thursday, August 28, 2008
Millennium Park – Pritzker Pavilion
6:30p.m. – Sonny Rollins

Petrillo Music Shell – Grant Park

Friday, August 29, 2008
5:00-5:50 – T.S. Galloway’s Tribute to Capt. Walter Dyett featuring Julian Priester, Mwata Bowden, and Edwin Daugherty
6:00-6:55 – AACM Tribute featuring Roscoe Mitchell, Wadada Leo Smith, Amina Claudine Myers, Michael Logan and Thurman Barker
7:10-8:10 – Dee Dee Bridgewater Tribute to Betty Carter with Mulgrew Miller, Ira Coleman and Kenny Washington
8:30-9:30 – Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Band

Saturday, August 30, 2008
4:30-4:45 – Remembering Franz Jackson: Eric Schneider, Art Hoyle, Tom Hope, Dan Delorenzo and Robert Cousins
5:00-5:50 – Pharez Whitted Sextet
6:00-6:55 – Vijay Iyer Quintet
7:10-8:10 – Dave Douglas’ Brass Ecstasy
8:30-9:30 – Gerald Wilson Orchestra w/ Special Guest Kenny Burrell

Sunday, August 31, 2008
5:00-5:50 – Ron Dewar Quintet
6:00-6:55 – From the Netherlands: Instant Composers Pool
7:10-8:10 – 8 Bold Souls with Special Guest Dee Alexander
8:30-9:30 – Ornette Coleman

There are many more venues and a lot more performances. I will bring those to you the rest of this week, but you can also check out the link above for yourself. Make your plans now!

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

More Outside Jazz Thanks to the Jazz Institute of Chicago

Sat, 26 Jul 2008 04:00:35 +0000

I know that I mentioned these performances yesterday, but I discovered them so late, I feared that not enough people had time to plan to see the concert last night. Never fear, lovers of Jazz and lovers of Chicago, the Jazz Institute of Chicago has more than one of those scheduled for this summer.

So, if you missed last night’s performance on the beach, there are more concerts with the same Jazz Links Ambassadors and the Chicago Park District. In fact, there is one coming up this Tuesday, if you don’t have any plans.

From the Jazz Institute of Chicago’s website:

“This summer the Jazz Institute of Chicago has teamed up with the Chicago Park District to start a new program employing and mentoring a group of young jazz musicians for the summer. During a six week intensive program, this select group of 10 young musicians will work with a roster of local jazz all-stars who will mentor them for one week each. At the end of each week the Jazz Ambassadors perform at a different park in the city with their guest artist as a conductor.

Tonight’s concert will feature Ernie Adams as guest conductor. Mr. Adams who has performed with some of the greatest names in jazz including Ramsey Lewis, Nancy Wilson, Dizzy Gillespie and Clark Terry. He has served as a Teaching Artists in our Jazz Links Artist in Residence program and performed at many of our JazzCity concerts including with Dee Alexander’s Evolution Ensemble, Bebop Brass, Ken Chaney’s Xperience Reunion and many more. He has been the house drummer for our Jazz links Jam Sessions at the Chicago Cultural Center for the past two years. Ernie Adam’s versatility and sensitivity as a drummer have made him one of the most sought after drummers in Chicago.”

Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 – 6:00pm
Tickets: This is a Free event.
Contact Phone: 1 312-742-7511
Venue: Welles Park
2333 W Sunnyside Ave
Chicago, IL, 60625

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

Chicago Beach Jazz

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:09:33 +0000

One of my new favorite things is the Jazz Institute of Chicago and their website. They do so many cool things for people who love jazz. They have all kinds of scheduled performances and concerts and do what they can to keep jazz alive in this town.

You may not realize that Chicago has beaches. We do. Granted, you can really only use them about three or four months a year, but we do have beaches and they are right downtown and on Lake Michigan and they are just as sandy and wet as the beaches you are likely to find along either coastline. We even have a beach volleyball tournament here every year. Most people seem to think that polar bears wander Michigan Avenue all year round in the Windy City.

Well, the Jazz Institute of Chicago has teamed up with the Chicago Park District to have a jazz performance on one of these Chicago beaches. From their website, the event is described as:

Date: Friday, July 25, 2008 – 6:00pm
Tickets: This is a Free event.
Venue: 63rd Street Beach
6300 S. Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL

So, while the weather is still nice and before the polar bears start prowling Bloomingdales downtown, get outside and check out this cool free jazz show. It’s tonight!

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

Weekend Chicago Performances from July 25 – 27

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 04:00:30 +0000

The end of July is fast approaching. The dog days of summer have left the Chicago area for a time and the breeze is off the lake. This has caused the sky to clear, pushing out the pollution and making the sky a brilliant blue. It’s quite nice and it’s a good time to check out those live outdoor shows. However, thanks to radio station WDCB, I can also tell you about all of the jazz and blues performances around the area. I strongly recommend that you click on that link and check out their events calendar. Lots of cool links and even more details are waiting for you there.

So, the shows and concerts this weekend, are as follows:

JAZZ

WAZ Trio
Friday, July 25; 9:30 pm
Velvet Lounge (new location), Chicago

Petra van Nuis & Andy Brown Duo
Friday, July 25; 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Katerina’s, Chicago

Prohibition Orchestra of Chicago
Friday, July 25; 5:30 pm
Bill’s Blues Bar, Evanston

Holly McGuire
Friday, July 25; 8 to midnight
Philander’s, Oak Park

Elaine Dame Quartet
Friday, July 25; 9 pm
Pops for Champagne, Chicago

Dan Cray Trio
Friday, July 25; 7 to 11 pm
Rhythm Room Bar & Bistro, Evanston

Green Mill Quartet Jam Session
Friday, July 25; 1:30 to 4 am
Green Mill, Chicago

Tito Carrillo Quartet
Friday, July 25; 9 pm to 1 am
Pete Miller’s – Evanston, Evanston

Lesley Byers Quartet
Friday, July 25; 8 pm to 12:30 am
Pete Miller’s – Schaumburg, Schaumburg

Paul Marinaro & Accompanist
Friday, July 25; 8:30 pm to 12:30 am
Drake Hotel – Coq d’Or, Chicago

Jeremy Kahn Trio
Friday, July 25; 5 pm
Andy’s, Chicago

Alison Ruble ‘This Is A Bird’ CD Release Party
Friday, July 25; 9:30 pm
Andy’s, Chicago

Fareed Haque and Flat Planet Band
Friday, July 25; 9 pm to 1 am
Green Mill, Chicago

Chris Greene
Saturday, July 26; 8 to midnight
Philander’s, Oak Park

Nicole Mitchell’s Black Earth Ensemble
Saturday, July 26; 9:30 pm
Velvet Lounge (new location), Chicago

Spider Saloff
Saturday, July 26; 6:30 to 9 pm
Katerina’s, Chicago

Marc Pompe
Saturday, July 26; 6 to 10 pm
164 North Steakhouse, Kankakee

Elaine Dame Quartet
Saturday, July 26; 9 pm
Pops for Champagne, Chicago

Bob Dogan/Ryan Schultz Quartet
Saturday, July 26; 5 pm
Andy’s, Chicago

Piano Man Tim Curran
Saturday, July 26; 9 pm
Muldoon’s, Wheaton

Fareed Haque and Flat Planet Band
Saturday, July 26; 8 to midnight
Green Mill, Chicago

Dan Cray & Geof Bradfield
Saturday, July 26; 7 to 11 pm
Rhythm Room Bar & Bistro, Evanston

Skinny Williams Quartet
Saturday, July 26; 8 pm to 12:30 am
Pete Miller’s – Wheeling, Wheeling

Tito Carrillo Quartet
Saturday, July 26; 9 pm to 1 am
Pete Miller’s – Evanston, Evanston

Paul Marinaro & Accompanist
Saturday, July 26; 8:30 pm to 12:30 am
Drake Hotel – Coq d’Or, Chicago

Lesley Byers Quartet
Saturday, July 26; 8 pm to 12:30 am
Pete Miller’s – Schaumburg, Schaumburg

Alison Ruble ‘This Is A Bird’ CD Release Party
Saturday, July 26; 9:30 pm
Andy’s, Chicago

Petra van Nuis & Andy Brown Duo
Saturday, July 26; 7:00 pm to 10:00pm
Broadway Cellars, Chicago

Velvet Lounge Jam Session
Sunday, July 27; 9:30 to midnight
Velvet Lounge (new location), Chicago

Scott Earl Holman
Sunday, July 27; 6pm – 10pm
Chicago Chop House, Chicago

WDCB Sunday Big Band Jazz Party
Chicago Grandstand Big Band
Sunday, July 27; 6 to 9:30 p.m. (doors/dinner service opens at 5 p.m.)
FitzGerald’s, Berwyn

Marc Pompe Live at Chambers
Sunday, July 27; 5:00 pm until 9 pm
Chambers, Niles

Martez Rucker Trio
Sunday, July 27; 5 pm
Andy’s, Chicago

Kimberly Gordon Organ Trio
Sunday, July 27; 11 pm to 2 am
Green Mill, Chicago

A Tribute to King Fleming
Sunday, July 27; 7:30 to 11:30 pm
Checkerboard Lounge, Chicago

Anne Burnell
Sunday, July 27; 10:30 am
Andy’s, Chicago

Andy’s Jam Session
Sunday, July 27; 9 pm
Andy’s, Chicago

Kara Kesselring
Sunday, July 27; 7 to 9:30 pm
Philander’s, Oak Park

BLUES

Mr. G and The Mystery Band
Friday, July 25; 9 pm
Bill’s Blues Bar, Evanston

The Hall Effect
Friday, July 25; 11:59 pm
Bill’s Blues Bar, Evanston

Eddie Taylor Jr., Eric Davis, Lil Ray Neal
Friday, July 25; 5:30 to 9 pm
Buddy Guy’s Legends , Chicago

Lemon Creek Vintage Blues Bash
Saturday, July 26; 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Lemon Creek Winery, Berrien Springs

Melvin Taylor and the Slack Band
Saturday, July 26; 8:30 pm
Bill’s Blues Bar, Evanston

Harmonica Hinds, Sharon Lewis, Carl Weathersby
Saturday, July 26; 6 pm
Buddy Guy’s Legends , Chicago

Doug McDonald
Sunday, July 27; 9:30 pm
Buddy Guy’s Legends , Chicago

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

The Jazz Institute of Chicago’s Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:00:01 +0000

Chicago has a lot of cool places to see live music but, without a doubt, one of the coolest is Millenium Park, which is right downtown. I meant RIGHT downtown, with the buildings rising all around you, except for the part that points toward the lake, of course. You can sit on the lawn and above you is a metal laticework that has speakers, so you can see the stars and the buildings and still hear the music. Then there is the pavillion, colored red, each with a great view of the stage. Meanwhile, the stage itself is a Frank Gehry designed masterpiece of non-linear design.

For a while, it seemed only classical music was being played there. Then it was a few pop acts, which was very cool. They now have an impressive lineup of jazz musicians as well and one coming up at th eend of the this week is the Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble put together by the Jazz Institute of Chicago.

From the website linked above, put together by the Jazz Institute, the concert details are:

“Caribbean music and jazz have had close connections from the beginning of the last century. Composers and soloists from Dizzy Gillespie and Duke Ellington to Chick Corea have been inspired by Juan Tizol, Chano Pozo and Mongo Santamaria. Gillespie widened the scope in the 90s with his United Nations Orchestra and in Chicago, the Chicago Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble (CALJE) continues the multinational quest by incorporating Afro-Cuban Jazz, Brazilian Jazz, Flamenco, Central American and Peruvian folkloric rhythms into their compositions while staying true to Latin Jazz traditions. Founded by Mexican born trumpeter/composer, Victor Garcia and Nicaraguan born pianist/composer, Darwin Alejandro Noguera tonight’s concert features Chicago’s finest Latin jazz performers, with guests Steve Turre (trombone, shells); Paoli Mejias (percussion); Howard Levy (piano/harmonica) and Brian Lynch (trumpet).

Date
Thursday, July 31, 2008 – 6:30pm
Tickets: This is a Free event.
Venue: Millenium Park
Michigan & Washington
Chicago, IL”

Yes, folks, it’s another free event in this great town. You kinda have to like all of the free concerts and events this city puts on. So, if you happen to be in Chicago this Thursday, you may want to stop by and check this one out. They are saying the weather will be perfect.

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

Hot Jazz and 6 Cool Nites

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 04:00:35 +0000

WDCB is a great radio station and you know I believe that. I rant and rave about that place and that station ad nauseum around here. But they are really a great source of information about jazz and blues music in and around the Chicago area and suburbs. In fact, since they are located in the suburbs, they are the finest source of suburban jazz music and concerts and festivals for those of you living in and around the Chicago area.

One of their sponsored events is called “Hot Jazz – 6 Cool Nites” which is taking place in the suburb of Naperville in August. Naperville is one of the largest cities in Illinois, once you get out of Chicago, and one of the fastest-growing suburbs of Chicago. They are the location of North Central College and this is where this particular celebration of jazz music is taking place.

From the North Central College website:
Featured Vocalists

Janice Borla, a native Chicagoan and North Central College visiting lecturer of music, has performed with such jazz talents as Clark Terry, Bobby Watson and Gary Bartz. Her current CD “From Every Angle” (Blujazz) has earned her enthusiastic critical acclaim, including a coveted four-star review in DownBeat magazine, and selection as one of its “Best CDs of 2007.” Jazz Improv magazine declares it “Great jazz singing…One of the best jazz releases of the year.” AllMusic Guide cites her “…adventurous, risk-taking approach…An impressive performance. Janice Borla clearly deserves far wider recognition with this release.” Jazz Times: “Genius. Pure genius.”

Based in New York City and a founding member of Janice Borla Vocal Jazz Camp’s artist roster, Jay Clayton has worked with jazz luminaries including Bobby McFerrin, Fred Hersch, Steve Reich and the internationally-acclaimed improvisatory vocal group Vocal Summit. Her current CD “Brooklyn 2000″ (Sunnyside Records) has won wide critical praise. Francis Davis (Downbeat magazine) writes: “Clayton is an important singer…one who proposed dramatic change in style and roles…Her musicianship is impeccable.” Debra Bresnan (Woodstock Times): “Clayton can swing, percolate, lay down a blues, soar in ethereal realms, avant you, romance you, and generally spin your concept of jazz singing a full 360…” This will be Clayton’s fifth appearance in the series.

Judy Niemack divides her time between Europe and the United States. Currently based in Berlin, she has recorded with Cedar Walton, Kenny Barron, Fred Hersch and Lee Konitz. Jazz Times magazine declares “Niemack represents jazz singing at its finest and most accomplished” and describes her newest CD release “Blue Nights” (Blujazz) as “at once a sublime testament to her long-established musical prowess and an utterly refreshing exercise in interpretive brilliance.” AllMusic Guide calls it a “brilliant effort” from ”one of the most underrated jazz vocalists of her generation.” Steve Getz of the Blue Note in New York City proclaims her “a world-class jazz vocalist. Period.” Niemack made her first “Hot Jazz—6 Cool Nites” appearance in 1990 and has been on its artist roster ever since.

In-residence instrumentalists

Trumpeter Art Davis is a former featured soloist with the Ray Charles Orchestra. Based in Chicago, he has performed and/or recorded with such notable artists as Louis Bellson, Joe Williams, Clark Terry, Dizzy Gillespie and Frank Sinatra, and is a member of the Janice Borla Group.

Pianist Dan Haerle is an alumnus of the Clark Terry Group and has performed with Al Jarreau, Joe Henderson, Pat Metheny and Mel Torme. Based in Denton, Texas, he leads the Dan Haerle Trio, whose current CD “Standard Procedure” (Blujazz) was selected by Downbeat magazine as among the best CD releases of 2005.

Bassist Bob Bowman has played with such jazz greats as Thad Jones and Mel Lewis, Toshiko Akyoshi, Carmen McRae and Karrin Allyson. Based in Kansas City, he is currently the leader of Interstring as well as a member of the Dan Haerle Trio and the Janice Borla Group.

Drummer Jack Mouse, coordinator of North Central College’s Jazz Studies Program, is a member of the Janice Borla Group and the Dan Haerle Trio. A staff artist for Yamaha Drums, Sabian Cymbals, Aquarian Drum Heads and Vic Firth Drum Sticks, he has performed with James Moody, Clark Terry, Bunky Green, Randy Brecker and Stan Kenton.

Belgian guitarist Jeanfrancois Prins has performed with such jazz talents as Toots Thielemans, Lee Konitz, Kenny Werner and Bud Shank. He can be heard on Judy Niemack’s latest recordings as well as his own most recent CD “Light” (GAM).”

Price: $17/$14 students and seniors

Dates and Times: July 18 – 24; 8 p.m.

Mark it on your calendar and be sure to check it out.

“

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge