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

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

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

Unfortunately, I have not heard from her since that time. I did hope to get an interview with her, but the time for the nomination is over and there are no updated on her MySpace page (linked above) which indicate whether or not she achieved that nomination. I am hoping she did. but then, I am a tad smitten and a tad biased. Yes, that is creepy, but I don’t care.

So, I wanted to write about her again, just because she and her music have been on my mind lately. I love promoting people who can use an ever-widening audience, much like I did with the Sad Salamanders last year and earlier this year (was it only this year that I started with those guys?).

I think Cassie is already very talented. I think if you have a way to find the Otis Taylor Band, you should beg, borrow and steal to get to see a show. They are truly one of the best live bands you are likely to see and if you love blues music, you need to see them. I think that Cassie, being as young as she is, will only go on to bigger and better things.

Of course, if you loyal readers of this particular blog happen to check out her MySpace page and send a message to her that you read about her right here, well, who am I to stop you? Maybe she’ll give me that interview after all. And, of course, I also believe all attractive women, musician or otherwise, should develop a sudden attraction to portly, bearded, glasses-wearing writers from Chicago.

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

One thing always helps and that’s being able to tell you about the new releases and various re-issues that come out every week. I also simply cannot thank the people at AllAboutJazz.com enough for providing this information so I can tell you about it. They have some great articles and reviews on that site you may want to check out.

Tuesday July, 15 2008

NEW HIRES

Adrian Iaies – Vals De La 81ST & Columbus (Sunny Side )
Adrian Iaies – Vals De La 81street & Columbus (Sunny Side )
Ar / Benedettini / Liebman / Tarenzi – Negative Space (Pid )
Bruce Eskovitz Jazz Orchestra – Invitation (Pacific Coast Jazz)
Carlos Lyra – Sarava! (Pid )
Carlos Lyra – Sarava (Phantom Sound & Vision )
Cartola – Verde Que Te Quero Rosa (Pid )
Cartola – 70 Anos (Pid )
Cedar Walton – Seasoned Wood (Highnote )
Chet Baker – Jazz Profile (Sony BMG Europe )
David Miles – Miles Ahead & Bags Groove (Pid )
Diane Marino – Just Groovin (Easy Listening Label )
Don Braden – Gentle Storm (Highnote )
Duke Ellington – Jazz Profile (Sony BMG Europe )
Early Trane – Early Trane (Highnote )
Early Trane – Early Trane: The John Coltrane Songbook – The Composer Collection Vol. 2 (Highnote )
Enrico Pieranunzi – Plays Domenico Scarlatti (Pid )
Fats Domino – Here Stands Fats Domino (Pid )
Frank Catalano – Bang! (Savoy Jazz )
Frank Rosolino Quintet – Let’s Make It (Pid )
Gerard Masters Trio – Pendulum (Jazzgroove )
Gino Marinacci – Idea (Pid )
Harmonia Ensemble – Dieci Danze Eretiche Erotiche (Pid )
High Five – Five For Fun (Pid )
Hot Club Of Detroit – Night Town (Mack Avenue )
Jamie Davis – Vibe Perfection (Dig Music )
Jamie Davis – Vibe Over Perfection (Dig Music )
Jazz Around Midnight / Various24bt – Jazz Around Midnight / Various24bt (Hi-Note Music )
Jazz You Night & Day – Jazz You Night & Day (Sony/Bmg Int’L )
Jazzin’ Saudade – Jazzin’ Saudade-Batucada (Pid )
Jazzin’ Saudade – Jazzin’ Saudade-Mas Que Nada (Pid )
Jeff Coffin – Mutopia (Compass )
Jeremy Pelt – November (Max Jazz )
Johnny Alf – Giagonal (Pid )
Karen Aoki – Shining (Pid )
Kenny Barron – Traveler (Pid )
Kenny Drew / Zoot Sims – Complete Live Recording (Gambit Spain )
Liz Childs – “Oh, You Crazy Moon”
Lorez Alexandria – For Swingers Only (Dusty Groove )
Mario Castro-Neves – Mario Castro Neves & Samba S.A (Pid )
Miles Davis – Avignon-Last Concert (Pid )
Modern Art Trio – Progressive Jazz (Pid )
Munro Quintet, Charlie – Eastern Horizons (Pid )
Ornette Coleman – Belgium 1969 (Gambit Spain )
Phil Markowitz – Catalysis (Sunny Side )
Phil Markowitz Trio – Catalysis (Sunnyside )
Preston Glass – Music As Medicine (Expansion Uk )
Raiatea Helm – Best (Pid )
Raul De Souza – Vontade Mesmo (Pid )
Reuben Wilson – Groove Grease (Connoisseur Collection (UK) )
Richard Maegraith – Free Running (Jazzgroove )
Stan Getz – Jazz Profiles (Pid )
Tamba Trio – Tamba (Pid )
Teddy Wilson – In Europe 1969-1970 (Impro-Jazz) – DVD-Video
Various Artists – Further Adventures Of Mod Jazz (Kent Music/City Hall )
Various Artists – Negative Space (Phantom Sound & Vision )
Various Artists – Early Trane: The John Coltrane Songbook – The Composer Collection Vol. 2 (High Note )

REISSUES

Ella Fitzgerald – 1954-1955 (Classics France )
Gil Evans – Jazz Profiles (Pid )
Jane Monheit – Taking a Chance on Love (Sony) – DVD-Video
Jane Monheit – Best Of Jane Monheit (Victor)

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

This year the event is being held July 11, 2008. That would be today, in case you don’t have a calendar handy. In case you are not familiar with Jazz in Chicago, well, you should check out the link above. They are another all-volunteer, all-donation-based kind of organizatio that is around to put on great shows, festivals and promote jazz in this city and across the country. They do a lot of great work. So, I would encourage you to support them as much as possible.

Here, from their website, are the details about the Latin Jazz Festival 2008:

PERFORMERS:

The Afro-Cuban sounds of Richie Pillot’s Havana
The traditional Latin Jazz of Conjunto
Darwin Noguera’s Evolution Trio

COST:

Free

PHONE:

1 312-742-7549

LOCATION:

Humboldt Park Boathouse
1359 N. Sacramento Avenue
Chicago, IL, 60622

The weather is supposed to be typical Chicago July hot and humid. So, be prepared, stay hydrated and have a good time.

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

It is known as the “Al Sears Jazz Festival.” It is September 12 – 14, 2008.

SCHEDULE

Friday, September 12, 2008

Bureau of Cultural Affairs (BCA) Concert: COFAC
*The Freddy Cole Quartet – Nat King Cole’s brother and “the most maturely expressive male singer of his generation, if not the best alive.” – The New York Times (2007)

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Al Sears Jazz Festival w/ Gazebo Art Festival: Chandler park

Jean Kittrell and the St. Louis Rivermen (one of the top traditional Dixieland bands in the country) – 2 sets. Sponsored by Tate and Sharon Lindahl.
Diane Deline Quartet, featuring Greg Pasenko (Chcago-based jazz violinist, w/ guitarist/vocalist) – 2 sets. IAC grant applied for (30-40% coverage).
Craig Russo’s Latin Jazz Project (back by popular demand, w/ new CD getting nat’l airplay) – 2 sets.
Dave Hoffman Quintet (trumpet player for Ray Charles for 13 years!) – 2 sets. Possible guest vocalist
Kimberly Wilson, featuring Frank Parker (WIU alum/vocalist, w/ Chicago-area drummer who’s also a WIU alum). Both toured Europe w/ JSO under dale Hopper and appear on the “Live in Europe” CD.
Jazz Studio Orchestra, w/ Special Guest Artist.
Hopper Jazztet.
Guitar Ensemble.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Jazz/Gospel Brunch: The Old Dairy
*Jean Kittrell and the St. Louis Rivermen, playing 2 sets of gospel/jazz. Special New Orleans menu prepared exclusively for this engagement! Market heavily, including through churches!

And who the heck is Al Sears? Besides just being some guy they named the festival after, he was an important man in jazz and he was from Macomb. From the website:

“Born in 1910 in Macomb, Illinois, Al Sears became a remarkable tenor saxophonist. Mostly self-taught, he began performing professionally with the jazz band led by Chick Webb at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem when he was only 18.

Sears is best remembered for his superb recorded solos while in the Duke Ellington Band in the 1940s. His credits also include work with important artists such as Lionel Hampton and Johnny Hodges. He is also noteworthy for the influence he had after he moved into the rhythm and blues genre in the early 1950s. Indeed, his exuberant performances contributed to the emergence of
rock and roll.

Although his recording career ended in 1960, Sears occasionally performed well into the 1980s. Later in life he was a music publisher and a successful executive with ABC Paramount. He died in 1990.

Macomb and the Al Sears Jazz Festival committee are pleased to honor Sears’ contributions to the American Jazz tradition.”

So, check out Macomb come this September. It’s a great way to end the summer and kick off fall. Just be careful of stepping over the passed out partying college kids while you’re there.

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

Well, they are the home of a very cool Blues festival known as “Nothin’ but the Blues” and you can click on that link and see what I am about to tell you right here along with the very cool pictures.

NOTHIN’ BUT THE BLUES FESTIVAL

When? July 18 – 19

Where? Bloomington Tri-Lakes in Bloomington, IL

The schedule and who is playing? Well, thanks to the people who put together the website, it says:

JULY 18th

Gates Open at 5:00 PM

6:00 PM Cleveland Fats
7:00 PM Mike Wheeler Band
8:15 PM Teeny Tucker
9:30 PM Larry McCray

JULY 19th

Gates Open at 12:00 NOON

1:30 PM Steve “The Harp” Blues Band
3:00 PM Daryl Coutts
4:15 PM Alvin Jett and the Phat noiz band
5:30 PM Janiva Magness
6:45 PM Holmes Brothers
8:15 PM Thornetta Davis

FOR THE KIDS

Tethered Balloon Rides from OSF Available

1:00 – 4:00 PM Unique Twist
1:00 – 4:00 PM Zoo Lady

2:30 pm FREE Harmonica Workshop
With Harmonica Master Steve “The Harp”

Free Harmonica for Children 17 and under attending the workshop.
$5.00 for adults attending the workshop that want a BBS Harmonica.
Free if adults bring a Harmonica in the key of “C”

So, see, this is one you really are encouraged to bring the kids to. It’s another great event and it’s this summer, people. You can spend almost your entire summer based out of Chicago and see one blues and jazz festival after another. Not to mention all of the great jazz and blues here in Chicago that is here always.

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

Here is the message that Cassie sent me:

“Hi!
The Board nominations for the board of directors of the blues foundation are coming up. I know I have been nominated once, but if you are indeed a member would you mind placing another nomination for me? My platform is trying to bring a youth aspect to the board, so that the blues can live on far into the 21st century. If you believe you could do this let me know, also spread the word to other members/ family and friends. I would be honored to represent a part of the blues community in the upcoming year.
lets make this happen!
thanks again
Cassie
this is the link to nominate-
http://blues. org/about/news. php4?Id=626”

So, if you are a member of the Blues Foundation (and you should be if you are a blues fan. I intend to become one shortly) then PLEASE let’s get Cassie nominated. She is talented and she deserves it and she comes from a great blues family.

Here is another link to the Blues Foundation. When you get there, go to the top of the page and click on “Enter the Site.” You will see a story entitled “Nominations Open for the Board of Directors.” You should be able to take it from there.

I am not ready to start some kind of letter-writing campaign yet. I want to do this through the proper channels. So, if you are a member, know a member, are aquainted with a member, think you might know a member, or want to become a member then help!

I am going to see if I can get an interview with Cassie too. Time is short, the deadline is June 25th for nominations. Let’s do this people!

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge

I had originally planned to go through this list and then try to present them to you in order of their dates. Yeah, well, that seems like it will take a lot of time, so I am just going to present them to you, over the next few days and weeks, as I found them. I am going to start with one from St. Louis called the Big Muddy Blues Festival.

There is no denying that St. Louis is a great blues town. It’s really kind of cool how most of your big cities on the Mississippi are big jazz and blues towns. It really shows you how that music started on the banks of that river and people travelled up and down the thing, bringing the music as they went.

The following is from STLBlues.net, which is linked above there:

Festival Information:

612 North Second St.
St. Louis, MO 63102
www.bigmuddyblues.com

Saturday, August 30

Festival Lineup – NOT YET ANNOUNCED
12:00PM to 10:00PM
The 2008 Big Muddy Blues Fest
The Big Muddy Blues fest is a world-class music event. This years Big Muddy promises to be an artistic success, after all, it does showcase that St. Louis sound, with some great national headliners added in! St. Louis is a river city long known for its place on the Blue Highway that stretches from the Delta. A city that is home to a red-hot Blues scene!

When you check out the BigMuddyBlues website above you will see how cool the festival is. There ain’t nothing like blues right on the Mississippi River and in a great town like St. Louis. In fact, over the next few days and weeks you are going to find out that Illinois and the surrounding area is loaded with great blues and jazz music and festivals.

Stay tuned!

Post from: Jazz & Blues Lounge