This is a FREE annual event in Chicago. Below is a preview of the August, 2018 festival. Look for this same event next year.
DCASE — The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events announced the 40th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival lineup, August 24–September 2 in Millennium Park, the Chicago Cultural Center (78 E. Washington St.) and at venues throughout the city. Among many featured headline guests, on September 1 Chicago native Ramsey Lewis will perform his last live performance in Chicago before his retirement.
“As the Chicago Jazz Festival expands from Millennium Park into venues all across the city, we are proud to feature many iconic musicians who found their voice right here in Chicago,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “Ramsey Lewis has been a staple in the jazz community for more than 60 years and I look forward to welcoming him back home for his final performance in the city.”
The Chicago Jazz Festival will launch with free performances in neighborhood clubs and venues from August 24 to 29, leading up to the concerts at the Chicago Cultural Center and in Millennium Park. The additional performances offer festival audiences more free opportunities to experience Chicago’s jazz sounds at some of the city’s music venues. An expanded schedule of these performances and participating locations will be announced in June. The Chicago Jazz Festival’s free live performances are produced by DCASE and programmed by the Jazz Institute of Chicago.
“In honor of the 40th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival, we hope to encourage collaboration within the Jazz community to build excitement and promote the city as a destination for Jazz by expanding the festival into the neighborhoods,” said Mark Kelly, Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. “The city is excited to support venues and Jazz presenting organizations to showcase Chicago's local talent alongside national artists to raise awareness and appreciation for one of the city’s most beloved art forms.”
DCASE Hosts Big Name Headliners the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park
Orbert Davis & Legends and Lions
New for 2018, the Chicago Jazz Festival has added an additional evening in Millennium Park featuring Orbert Davis and the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic presentation of Legends and Lions. The full orchestra program will feature jazz musicians sharing the stage with emerging young artist “lions” in a showcase of talents. Preceding the concert, Chicago youth musicians will lead a second-line style parade through the park, encouraging attendees of all ages to join in the procession.
Mystic Crew of Laff Theater
Each evening, a half hour before the music begins at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the headline performances will kick off with a New Orleans inspired second-line procession presented by Mystic Crew of Laff Theater Co. featuring the Big Shoulders Brass Band, starting at Cloud Gate (aka “The Bean”) and proceeding around the Great Lawn to the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
Geof Bradfield
Saxophonist and composer Geof Bradfield, has been featured in a long list of projects, including six albums receiving critical accolades from the New York Times, Downbeat, the Chicago Tribune and NPR.
Nicole Mitchell
Composer and bandleader Nicole Mitchell, best known for her work as a flutist, will perform her recent multidisciplinary work, incorporating video art with her latest Afrofuturist suite Mandorla Awakening, which was cited as a top jazz recording in the New York Times and the LA Times for 2017.
Kurt Elling
GRAMMY® Award winner Kurt Elling, jazz vocalist named “Male Singer of the Year” by the Jazz Journalists Association on eight occasions will perform original compositions and modern interpretations of standards, scatting, spoken word and poetry.
Dr. Muhal Richard Abrams
The festival will pay tribute to the pianist, composer and educator Dr. Muhal Richard Abrams who was known for his compositions and was at the forefront of the contemporary music scene for more than 68 years. Dr. Abrams also helped to establish the influential Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians.
Pat Mallinger and Cameron Pfiffner
Chicago saxophonists Pat Mallinger and Cameron Pfiffner have been co-leading Sabertooth at the Green Mill Jazz Club every Saturday night into Sunday morning for 25 years. Jazz drummer Louis Hayes developed his skills in Detroit during the 1950s. During his early years, he and bassist Sam Jones became known as the "dynamic duo." Louis Hayes, who has played and recorded with jazz greats such as John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, John Lee Hooker and others. His set, Louis Hayes: “Seranade for Horace” will start after Pat Mallinger and Cameron Pfiffner.
Dianne Reeves
GRAMMY® Award winner Dianne Reeves, has received the GRAMMY® Award for Best Jazz Vocal Performance for three consecutive recordings – a Grammy first in any vocal category. Reeves is the recipient of honorary doctorates from both the Berklee College of Music and the Juilliard School, and most recently the National Endowment for the Arts presented Reeves with the Jazz Master Award – the highest honor the United States bestows on jazz artists.
Willie Pickens
The festival will feature a tribute to Chicago Jazz pianist Willie Pickens. He began his career in 1961 on Eddie Harris’s record Exodus. Instead of staying on the touring jazz scene, he became a Chicago Public School (CPS) teacher and a mentor to upcoming musicians. Following his retirement from CPS, Willie became a well known Jazz musician.
Ramsey Lewis
Chicago jazz pianist and composer Ramsey Lewis will perform his last live performance in Chicago before he retires. Early in his career, he formed the Ramsey Lewis Trio with bassist Eldee Young and percussionist Redd Holt. The trio recorded a swinging version of Dobie Gray’s hit "The In Crowd," earning Lewis his first gold record, as well as a GRAMMY® Award for Best Jazz Performance – the first of three. He has recorded R&B and Latin-influenced material with the hit album Sun Goddess and explored his roots in more traditional jazz sounds as well. Throughout his career, he recorded over 80 albums and penned several pieces for string ensemble and orchestras. In 2007 he received the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master Award.
Matt Ulery’s Loom Large
Matt Ulery’s Loom Large is a Chicago-based bassist, composer and bandleader. His music covers the spectrum of jazz, classical, rock, pop and folk– specifically American, South American, Balkan and other European folk styles.
Arturo O’Ferrill Sextet.
O’Ferrill is the current pianist, composer, and director for the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra. Before the final performance of the festival, saxophonist Charles McPherson and pianist Barry Harris will collaborate for a set.
Maceo Parker
Maceo Parker will close the 40th edition of the Chicago Jazz Festival. Mr. Parker has played with every leader of funk, starting with James Brown. For the last two decades, Maceo Parker has enjoyed a solo career exploring mellower jazz and the grooves of hip-hop. His collaborations over the years have included George Clinton, Prince, Ray Charles, Ani Difranco, James Taylor, De La Soul, Dave Matthews Band and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
RoofTop Jazz: Young Jazz Lions and NextGenJazz
In honor of the City of Chicago’s Year of Creative Youth and in keeping with the festival’s tradition of featuring young artists, the Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace in Millennium Park will showcase the RoofTop Jazz: Young Jazz Lions. The Chicago Public School Jazz ensembles were selected during a city-wide jazz band competition that was co-hosted by the Jazz Institute of Chicago. Participating schools on Saturday include: ChiArts Jazz Combo, directed by Anthony Bruno; Morgan Park High School Jazz Combo, directed by Shemekah Nash; Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra’s CYSO Jazz Combo, directed by Pharez Whitted; Eric Solorio High School Jazz Ensemble, directed by Madeleine Mollinedo; Whitney Young Jazz Ensemble, directed by James Barbick and Kenwood Academy Jazz Band, directed by Gerald Powell.
When & Where
Wednesday, August 29, Millennium Park 6:30–9:30 p.m
Thursday, August 28, are 12:00–4:30 p.m. at the Chicago Cultural Center;
6:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m. in Millennium Park.
Friday, September 1, through Sunday, September 3, in Millennium Park, 11 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
40th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival Schedule of Performances
Chicago Jazz Festival Schedule for Jazz Clubs and Venues
Friday, August 24
8 p.m. Corner Store of Edgewater Beach Apartments, 5555 N. Sheridan Rd.
Jason Stein, Katie Ernst and Avreeayl Ra
Produced by HotHouse
Saturday, August 25
7:30 p.m. Constellation, 3111 N. Western Ave.
Josh Berman, Jason Roebke & Michael Vatcher, Craig Taborn
Sunday, August 26
7:30 p.m. Links Hall, 3111 N. Western Ave.
“Touch My Beloved’s Thought” composed by Greg Ward and choreographed by Onye Ozuzu, Twin Talk
8 p.m. The Hungry Brain, 2319 W. Belmont Ave.
Ken Vandermark/Haarvard Wiik Duo, Vincent Chancey Quartet
Monday, August 27
5p.m. Englewood Square, 632 W. 63rd St.
Pop Up NU Jazz Festival featuring Corey Wilkes (trumpet), Marquis Hill (trumpet), Makaya McKraven (drums), Junius Paul (bass), Isaiah Sharkey (guitar), Megan McNeal, Marvin Tate and Ernest Dawkins
Produced by Live the Spirit Residency
9 p.m. The Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway
Patricia Barber Quartet
Tuesday, August 28
6 p.m. Fred Anderson Park, 1629 S. Wabash Ave.
The Fred Anderson Legacy Band with special guest Mai Sugimoto
Produced by The Birdhouse
7 p.m. Ray & Joan Kroc Community Center, 1250 W. 119th St.
Von is the Word! A Jam session honoring the Memory, Music and Legacy of Earl LaVon “Von” Freeman
Produced by the South Side Jazz Coalition
9 p.m. The Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway
The Fat Babies
Wednesday, August 29
6 p.m. Fred Anderson Park, 1629 S. Wabash Ave.
Chicago Japanese American Jazz Legacy
Produced by The Birdhouse
8:30 p.m. Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave.
Jerry Medina y La Banda, The Ruiz Belvis Collective
Produced by Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center
9 p.m. The Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway
Alfonso Ponticelli & Swing Gitan
9 p.m. Elastic Arts, 3429 W. Diversey Ave., 2nd Floor
AACM Generations
Chicago Jazz Festival Schedule for Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center
Wednesday, August 29, Millennium Park Jay Pritzker Pavillion
6:30–9 p.m. Orbert Davis Chicago Jazz Philharmonic: Legends and Lions
Thursday, August 30, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St,
Claudia Cassidy Theater
11 a.m.–.Noon Paul Giallorenzo (Trio)
12:15–1:15 p.m. Great Black Music Ensemble (Octet)
1:45–2:45 p.m. Young Chicago Authors - Spoken Word Event
3:15–4:15 p.m. Miyumi Project (Sextet)
Preston Bradley Hall
12:30–1:30 p.m. Carmen Stokes (Quartet)
2–3 p.m. Stu Mindeman (Trio)
3:30– 4:30 p.m. Chicago Cellar Boys (Quintet)
Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion
5 p.m. Second-line Procession Presented by Mystic Crew of Laff Theater Co. featuring the Big Shoulders BrassBand (starts at Cloud Gate)
5:25–6:15 p.m. Geof Bradfield
6:30–7:25 p.m. Nicole Mitchell’s Mandorla Awakening
7:45–9 p.m. Kurt Elling
Friday, August 31
Millennium Park
Von Freeman Pavilion (South Promenade)
11:30 a.m.–12:25 p.m. Junius Paul
12:401–:35 p.m. Quin Kirchner
1:502–:45 p.m. Chris Speed Trio
3–4pm Greg Ward and 10 Tongues
Jazz and Heritage Pavilion (North Promenade)
Noon–1 p.m. Gayle Kolb
1:30–2:30 p.m. Roy McGrath
3–4 p.m. Steve Million
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:45 p.m. Second-line Procession Presented by Mystic Crew of Laff Theater Co. featuring the Big Shoulders Brass Band (starts at Cloud Gate)
4:15–5:05 p.m. Tribute to Dr. Richard Muhal Abrams
5:25–6:15 p.m. Sabertooth 25th Anniversary
6:30–7:25 p.m. Louis Hayes: “Seranade for Horace”
7:45–9 p.m. Dianne Reeves
Saturday, September 1
Millennium Park
Von Freeman Pavilion (South Promenade)
11:30 a.m.–12:25 p.m. Black Diamond
12:40–1:35 p.m. Dustin Laurenzi
1:50–2:45 p.m. Matthew Shipp and Ivo Perelman
3–4 p.m. Amina Claudine Myers Trio
Jazz and Heritage Pavilion (North Promenade)
Noon–1 p.m. Bruce Henry
1:30–2:30 p.m. The Chuck Webb Band featuring Margaret Murphy
3–4 p.m. Nolatet
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:45 p.m. Second-line Procession Presented by Mystic Crew of Laff Theater Co. featuring the Big Shoulders Brass Band (starts at Cloud Gate)
4:15–5:05 p.m. Tribute to Willie Pickens
5:25–6:10 p.m. Kenny Barron Quintet
6:25–7:25 p.m. Darcy James Argue
7:45–9 p.m. Ramsey Lewis
Sunday, September 2
Millennium Park
Von Freeman Pavilion (South Promenade)
11:30 a.m. –12:25 p.m. Tribute to John Wright
12:40–1:35 p.m. Jaimie Branch's Fly or Die
1:50–2:45 p.m. Jason Stein Quartet
3–4 p.m. Eric Revis Quartet
Jazz and Heritage Pavilion (North Promenade)
Noon–1 p.m. Quentin Coaxum
1:30–2:30 p.m. Alejandro Urzagaste
3–4 p.m. Fareed Haque
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:45 p.m. Second-line Procession Presented by Mystic Crew of Laff Theater Co. featuring the Big Shoulders Brass Band (starts at Cloud Gate)
4:15–5:05 p.m. Matt Ulery’s Loom Large
5:25–6:10 p.m. Arturo O'Farrill Sextet
6:25–7:25 p.m. Charles McPherson and Barry Harris Quartet
7:45–9 p.m. Maceo Parker
For the complete lineup of performers in Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center, visit the Chicago Jazz Fest website.
Photos courtesy of DCASE.
