Chicago Jazz Festival - August 29-31

[Lois Gilbert]

25th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival


Symphony Center hosts Opening Night, August 28, 2003 When a festival carries the awesome mantel of Chicago’s longest running lakefront music event, a new look is always welcome. This year, The 25th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival, presented by U.S. Cellular, opens with a special tribute concert on Thursday, August 28 at the Symphony Center (220 S. Michigan Avenue) and then features extended hours, 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. in Grant Park, Friday-Sunday, August 29-31.

Honoring and celebrating jazz music in Chicago was such a popular idea in the late 70’s, that three different organizations sought to create a festival. The City of Chicago encouraged all three groups to join efforts, creating the Chicago Jazz Festival in 1979. On the bill at that first festival was McCoy Tyner who returns this year with the McCoy Tyner Big Band to close the event on Sunday night. The Chicago Jazz Orchestra performing at the 2002 Chicago Jazz Festival “It has been my thrill to have performed at the very first Chicago Jazz Festival through the years, up until this year, 2003,” said Tyner. “The Chicago Jazz Festival is still one of the greatest jazz festivals that exist today. Grant Park is a fantastic venue to perform and I especially want to thank the City of Chicago for their tremendous support and all the people involved in making this event happen.”

The weekend celebration begins on Thursday with a special performance at the Symphony Center. "The Message Lives: A Tribute to Art Blakey," will feature the Branford Marsalis Quartet and the Jazz Messenger Alumni All-Stars: Terence Blanchard, Curtis Fuller, Bobby Watson, Branford Marsalis, Cedar Walton, Peter Washington, and Winard Harper. The performance begins at 8 p.m. and tickets (ranging in cost from $12 to $49) are available by calling the Symphony Center box office at (312) 294-3000 or on www.cso.org.

On Friday, August 29, the festival ventures east to Grant Park and once again provides free music and entertainment on three stages as well as extended hours, opening at 11 a.m. Carla Cook performing at the 2002 Chicago Jazz Festival “With a holiday weekend, we knew that crowds would enjoy having more live free music available at an earlier time,” said Jim Law, executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Special Events. Fresh off of their Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album, the Dave Holland Big Band headlines Friday night’s performances at the Petrillo Music Shell. Bassist/Composer Holland heads up the 13 piece band which made a spectacular debut just a few years ago at the 2000 Festival International De Montreal.

The Jazz beat goes on when the Elvin Jones’ Jazz Machine takes the stage on Saturday night for a headliner performance. One of the great jazz improvisers of all time, Jones proves that turning 75 has not slowed down his incredible rhythm skills. Other performers at this year’s Chicago Jazz Festival include Jane Bunnett and the Spirits of Havana, Ken Vandermark, Freddy Cole, and Karrin Allyson. U.S. Cellular is presenting the 25th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival. "We are committed to the City of Chicago and are proud to be a part of this long-standing musical tradition that celebrates Chicago's diverse cultures and its appreciation for jazz," said John E. Rooney, president and CEO for U.S. Cellular.

Chicago Jazz Festival Jazz education enhances the music available at the Jazz and Family Heritage stage while the Borders Jazz on Jackson stage entertains afternoon crowds, which now includes Friday afternoon. In addition to the music. The Chicago Jazz Festival features an art fair located in the rose garden just south of Jackson. The fair offers a variety of handmade crafts and artwork. Jackson Boulevard is also the locale where Jazz fans can enjoy refreshments from local vendors or relax in the wine garden. The Chicago Jazz Festival is produced by the Mayor's Office of Special Events and programmed by the Jazz Institute of Chicago and sponsored by presenting sponsor U.S. Cellular, along with generous support from our corporate sponsors.

[Uli]

This just in, subject to change:



2003 Chicago Jazz Festival


Thursday, August 28
Chicago Cultural Center Preston Bradley Hall

5:00 p.m "An Image of Man" A Tribute to Bill Russo

Symphony Center

8:00 p.m. The Branford Marsalis Quartet
and "The Message Lives: A Tribute to Art Blakey" featuring: The Jazz
Messenger Alumni All-Stars: Terence Blanchard, Curtis Fuller, Bobby Watson,
Branford Marsalis, Cedar Walton, Peter Washington and Winard Harper

Friday, August 29

Jazz on Jackson

12:00 12:50 Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls
1:05 1:55 Dee Alexander
2:10 3:10 Kalaparush and the Light
3:30 4:30 Burgess Gardner Big Band


Jazz & Heritage Family Stage

12:30 1:30 Swing Talk by Alan Gresik and the Swing Shift Orchestra
1:45 2:45 People's Jazz Theater Company
3:00 4:00 "Sun Percussion" with Famoudou Don Moye


Grant Park - Petrillo Music Shell

5:00 5:50 Bradley Williams Trio with Sheila Jordan
6:00 6:55 Roscoe Mitchell Big Band
7:10 8:10 "Jammin' at the Petrillo: Chicago Style" featuring
Maurice Brown, Harrison Bankhead, Dana Hall, Stu Katz, Ron Blake, Ira
Sullivan, Audrey Morrison and Bunky Green
8:30 9:30 Dave Holland Big Band




Saturday, August 30

Jazz on Jackson

12:00 1:00 Chicago Latin Jazz All-Stars
1:15 2:15 Taku Akiyama Quintet
2:30 3:10 Laurence Hobgood
3:20 4:30 Roscoe Mitchell Septet

Jazz & Heritage Family Stage

12:30 1:30 "Art of the Solo" with Bunky Green
1:45 2:45 Muntu Dance Theater of Chicago
3:00 4:00 A Tribute to Ameen Muhammad

Grant Park - Petrillo Music Shell

5:00 5:50 Jane Bunnett and the Spirits of Havana
6:00 6:55 Ken Vandermark and the Crisis Ensemble
7:10 8:10 Freddy Cole
8:20 9:30 Elvin Jones' Jazz Machine


Sunday, August 31

Jazz on Jackson B Delmark Tribute

12:00 1:00 Lurrie Bell Blues Band
1:15 2:15 Jodie Christian Trio with special guests Ira
Sullivan and Brad Goode
2:30 3:10 Reginald Robinson
3:20 4:30 Ari Brown Quartet


Jazz & Heritage Family Stage

12:30 1:30 "Jazz Links: Passing on the Tradition"
1:45 2:45 "In the Hands of Our Children: Japanese Traditional
Drumming" with Eigen, Kioto and Tatsu Aoki, members of the Tsukasa Daiko
and Mwata Bowden
3:00 4:00 "Velvet Lounge Jam" featuring the Greg Ward Quartet
and the Dennis Winslet Quartet



Grant Park - Petrillo Music Shell

5:00 5:50 Franz Jackson
6:00 6:55 Karrin Allyson
7:10 8:10 Chano Dominguez Sextet
8:20 9:30 McCoy Tyner Big Band

[Uli]

Here is what I know so far about after fest sessions:
Hot House We 27
featuring the Tim Daisy Trio and the Damon
Short Quartet

7pm, $17 in advance/$20 at the door,
HotHouse Members Free (21 & Over)

Thursday 28

Roscoe Mitchell's Big Band open rehearsal

1pm, Free (All Ages)

City of the Winds screening at Gene Siskel
Film Center
164 N State St Chicago
8pm, $8 (All Ages)

"New York meets Chicago" DOUBLE BILL
with the Reggie Nicholson Concept and City
of the Winds with Ellen Christi


Showcase

Aug 26 - Aug 31
Ira Sullivan Quartet (Host for Famous 'Afterfest Jam Sessions')

Velvet Lounge
Chicago Jazz fest Sessions. We 8/26 Pub CrawlDouglas Rosneberg Quintet w Maurice Brown: Thur 7/28 SessionsAndrew Lamb (sax) Harrison Bankhead (bass) Warren Smith (drums)Fri 7/29Sessions Reggie Nicholson (drums) Orbert Davis(trumpet) Steve Berry (trombone) Tracy Kirk (trombone) Aaron Dodd(tuba) Sa & Sun 7/30-31 SessionsKidd Jordan (sax) Fred Anderson (sax) Jeff Parker (guitar)Hamid Drake (drums)w. Hamiet Bluiett & Harrison Bankhead

[Frisco]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Uli
[ "New York meets Chicago" DOUBLE BILL
with the Reggie Nicholson Concept and City of the Winds with Ellen Christi

The Reggie Nicholson Concept will include the piano of Yuko Fujiyama. If you've not heard Yuko perform live, I would highly suggest it. She is a brilliant pianist who doesn't often play outside of NYC. In fact, it seems to have been some time since I've heard her play there. I caught some excellent performances that she's done with Roy Campbell/William Parker/Rashid Bakr, and with Mark Dresser/Susie Ibarra. It's been a few years, so I'm looking forward to hearing her again.

[Clay Fink]

We're going!!!

We've got our tickets and Hotel. Anyone else going to be there?

Uli. Let's get togther for sure.

[Pete C]

Good lineup this year, even if last year's bad idea "Jammin' at the Petrillo" seems to be becoming an annual event.

Then again, some people do like old-style cutting contest impromptu jam sessions.

[Uli]

Originally posted by Clay Fink

Uli. Let's get togther for sure.

Fer sure. recently met Greg Turner, an old JC poster. He will be here as well. Some kind of hang would be fun.

Pete, re Petrillo jam, we Chicagoans love this stuff. For out of townwers, they get a chance to hear Maurice Bown, Bankhead, Danna Hall, N
Bunky Green and others.

[Pete C]

Clay, don't miss the Sunday morning free brunch with live music at the Record Mart. Last year Fred Anderson, Tatsu Aoki, Hamid Drake, Ernest Dawkins, Ari Brown & Malachi Thompson played an amazing set, and Frank Catalano was lots of fun too.

[Pete C]

FYI,

Labor Day Weekend coincides with the 25th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival and The Fairmont Chicago is right in the center of it all. Visit the city August 28 - September 1 and stay in luxurious accommodations on the Chicago Waterfront and Grant Park (Jazz Festival location) for just $118 per night - 50% OFF regular summer rates.


The Fairmont is one of the world's best hotels according to Condé Nast Traveler. This rate is available Thursday-Sunday and you must book by August 13. There is a two-night minimum for guests arriving on Friday or Saturday.

[greg turner]

as of now i will be in chicago for 4 days enjoying the fest and the many afterfest events, and i am almost too eager since i missed it last year. but i'm on my way to a family reunion in georgia this weekend. uli, i know i'll see you at the velvet lounge, fest or not...

[Pete C]

Greg, sorry I missed you last year. I hope this year finds you in good health.

[Fred K]

Chicago Festival Goers - I just made plane and hotel reservations for Chicago next weekend. I will be there Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. If anyone is coordinating meeting places and times for events, please let me know. Thanks.

[Pete C]

It looks like half of D.C. will be there.

[Clay Fink]

Does anyone know what the seating situation is in Grant Park? Should we bring blankets, chairs, etc.?

[Uli]

I am starting the coordination with a suggestion. Some of the afternoon events might be good to start a hang. The Sunday Breakfast at Delmark mite be a suggestion as well. For the rest it all depends what everybody is interested in to hear.

Seats are usually no problem for the main stage events. The best seats go quite early so. Its good to get stamped early. Sometimes you could use a chair for a Jackson stage performance. Or of course lots of people use chairs and party outside the main stage seating area.

[Pete C]

Originally posted by Clay Fink
Does anyone know what the seating situation is in Grant Park? Should we bring blankets, chairs, etc.?

For the bandshell, get there 30-45 minutes in advance and you'll get very good seats. Even if you show up late you'll get seats that would be better than camping on the lawn. Don't bother to lug chairs.

You won't find good eats at the festival, by the way.

[Clay Fink]

Originally posted by Uli
I am starting the coordination with a suggestion. Some of the afternoon events might be good to start a hang. The Sunday Breakfast at Delmark mite be a suggestion as well. For the rest it all depends what everybody is interested in to hear.

Seats are usually no problem for the main stage events. The best seats go quite early so. Its good to get stamped early. Sometimes you could use a chair for a Jackson stage performance. Or of course lots of people use chairs and party outside the main stage seating area.

We're leaving Sunday AM but Friday or Saturday afternoon is OK with us.

[Frisco]

Famoudou Don Moye has cancelled his Friday afternoon performance in the park, replaced by Winard Harper. Not exactly an even exchange from where I'm sitting. I'm bummed, but still coming in. Look for the guy who's 5'6", bald on top, hair hanging a little ways down the back, round glasses, with a psychedlic gleam in his eyes. Well, all but the psychedelic gleam part anyways. Probably wearing tank top, shorts, sandals.

[Chuck Nessa]

I will be there for Roscoe's performances on Friday and Saturday. I'll probably go to the JRM "brunch" and catch the Delmark stage in the afternoon. I'll drive home (200 miles) after that.

[Rob C]

Anybody going to the open rehearsal of the Roscoe Mitchell big band this afternoon at HotHouse? I'm ditching work early to head over there....

[Uli]

Had planned to go to Roscoe's open rehearsal but skipped plans. Will be at Velvet for Andrew Lamb trio tonite.
Talked to Caly Fink on the phone. Maybe will meet tomorrow afternoon at Jackson stage. rob, or anybody else interested can pm me.

[Clay Fink]

We had a great time in Chicago. I managed to find Uli at the Jackson Street Stage on Friday and enjoyed meeting him. He's a great Guy. Fred K. was also there and we ended up with him at the Velvet Lounge on Saturday night.

A beautiful City. I loved it.

As far as the music goes, it was a worthwhile trip. We started Thursday afternoon at the Cultural Center - the former public library and a absolutly stunning building - with Guillermo Gregorio dedication to Bill Russo. He played duets with Fred Lomberg Holm of some Russo arrangements. They were joined by two vilolinists and a violist for a performance of a Russo quintet piece. Gregorio stuck to alto for the whole performance. He's a wonderful player and composer and is worth checking out.

Next we went off to Symphony Hall for the only non-free event: Branford Marsalis and his quartet and the Art Blakey allumni band. Branford won me over. I thought he was an excellent player. I was a little underwhelmed by his quartet though. I was a bit put off by Tain's playing actually. I thought he was thrashing around a lot ant not really saying anything. Other than that, they were OK. The Blakey allumni were Branford, Terrance Blanchard, Bobby Watson, Curtis Fuller, Ronnie Mathews, Kevin Washington and Winard Harper. Watson was really on and it was great hearing him again. I'd never seen Blanchard before and I actually liked him quite a bit. Ronnie Mathews was excellent and so was Winard. As much as I love Curtis' playing and writting (the Mosaic box is one of my favorites and all his work from the 50's is essential) I think he is way past his prime. Overall it was a great show and a great venue.

On Friday we heard a couple of acts at the Jackson stage. Kalaparush was there with his trio and they just never came together. The main show at the band shell that night started out with Sheila Jordan and the Brad Williams trio (a local piano trio). I thought Sheila gave one of the best performances I've ever heard from her. She was really on. Next up was the Roscoe Mitchell big band - some classic AACM-style Chicago jazz. I loved it. That was followed by a sort of jam session with Ira Sullivan, Bunky Green and some fine local players including trumpeter Maurice Brown and bassist Harrison Bankhead, both of whom were also in Roscoe's big band. The last act was the Dave Holland Big Band. Wow! Billy Kilson, Gary Smulyan, Robin Eubanks, and ... well everyone stole the show. That band is almost too good.

On saturday we caught Laurence Hobgood at the Jackson Stage playing solo. I had never heared him before and thought he was excellent. This wasa followed by Roscoe Mitchell's octet. This was prety much the Note Factory with only Craig Taborn on piano. This was one of the highlights for me. I don't know, but I started out listening to the AEC about 25 years ago and this music just feels like going home to me. I real treat. The bandshell concert started out with Jane Bunett. I was a little underwhelmed but they were pretty good. It may have just been a bad night for them. Vandermark was up next with his "Crisis" ensemble. It was, for the most part, the Vandermatk 5 plus a couple of extra horns, bass, drums and Lomberg Holm on cello. Well rehursed, intense and very satisfying. We laft in the middle of Freddie Cole (not that he was bad or anything) on a frustrating trip to try and find a decent place to eat in the Loop at 7:30 on Saturday night. We were in the wrong part of town for fin edining ath that hour since everything was closed. Except for Bennigans.

We missed the rest of Cole's set and we missed Elvin Jones. We bumped into Fred K. on the way back to the band shell and decided to head down to the Velvet Lounge a little early to get a seat. This turned out to be a good idea since the line to get in was all the way down the block by the time we got in there and got settled in. We heard a great set with Fred Anderson, Hamiet Bluiett, KIdd Jordan, Harrison Bankhead and Hamid Drake. That was the end of it for us since we were out of town and back to DC on Sunday.

A great long weekend.

[Rob C]

FYI, there's another thread with reviews in the Live reviews forum.

So you ended up at Bennigan's? Sorry to hear that. Bennigan's (the chain) sucks, but Bennigan's (the restaurant on Michigan Ave.) sucks even by Bennigan's standards.

[Clay Fink]

Originally posted by Rob C
FYI, there's another thread with reviews in the Live reviews forum.

So you ended up at Bennigan's? Sorry to hear that. Bennigan's (the chain) sucks, but Bennigan's (the restaurant on Michigan Ave.) sucks even by Bennigan's standards.

Yes. We DID find some great restaurants earlier. Sorry we didn't meet up.