30th Annual Chicago Jazz Fest

[Lois Gilbert]

Tenor saxophone icon Sonny Rollins and visionary composer Ornette Coleman -- two of the foremost names in jazz -- will headline the 30th annual Chicago Jazz Festival this August.

In addition, several leading jazz composers have been commissioned to create works to celebrate the 30th anniversary: trumpeter Dave Douglas, pianist Vijay Iyer and bandleaders Gerald Wilson and T.S. Galloway.

As it has for the last few years, Chicago Jazz Festival Week will stretch seven days, Aug. 25-31. The festival is produced by the Mayor's Office of Special Events.

The musicmaking will begin with a "Made in Chicago" concert featuring local luminaries at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.

The annual gala concert for the Jazz Institute of Chicago -- the non-profit organization that programs the festival -- will take place Aug. 26 in a still-to-be-named concert hall. And the annual club tour, which takes visitors on bus rides to several leading Chicago jazz venues, will unfold Aug. 27 across the city.

After these curtain-raising events, the Chicago Jazz Festival proper will commence Aug. 28 with Rollins in concert at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park.

The proceedings will move Aug. 29 to the Petrillo Music Shell in Grant Park, where Galloway will lead a tribute to legendary Chicago jazz instructor Capt. Walter Dyett. Galloway will conduct the world premiere of an original composition penned in Dyett's memory and performed by three generations of Dyett's former students.

The festival will continue Aug. 30 with new works by Wilson, Douglas and Iyer in Grant Park.

This year's artist-in-residence -- who will appear in various settings -- will be leonine Chicago tenor saxophonist Edward Wilkerson Jr. His 8 Bold Souls, one of the most enduring and widely admired experimental bands in jazz, will share the evening's bill Aug. 30 with Coleman, who will close the festival in Grant Park.

All the events in Millennium Park and Grant Park will be free. Admission will be charged for the Aug. 26 gala concert and for the Aug. 27 club tour. The complete lineup for the Chicago Jazz Festival Week, which will include dozens of soloists and bands, will be released later.

For more information, visit chicagojazzfestival.us or call 312-744-3315.

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by Lois Gilbert

The festival will continue Aug. 30 with new works by Wilson, Douglas and Iyer in Grant Park.

This year's artist-in-residence -- who will appear in various settings -- will be leonine Chicago tenor saxophonist Edward Wilkerson Jr. His 8 Bold Souls, one of the most enduring and widely admired experimental bands in jazz, will share the evening's bill Aug. 30 with Coleman, who will close the festival in Grant Park.

I assume Coleman is on August 31.

It looks like I'll want to be there that weekend.

[hornplayer]

YUM!

legendary Chicago jazz instructor Capt. Walter Dyett.

Cap was indeed legendary, but he was a GREAT deal more than a Jazz instructor. He took high school freshman (as did we all) who didn't know how to play bupkes and taught them everything! His DuSable bands were among the finest Concert Bands and Marching Bands not only in the city, but in the whole area.

[Pete C]

I'm comin'. Will Dupre snub me again?

I want to try Frontera Grill, Portillo's for hot dogs, and Spring World Restaurant for Yunnan "crossing the bridge noodles."

[hornplayer]

Originally Posted by Pete C

I'm comin'. Will Dupre snub me again?

I want to try Frontera Grill, Portillo's for hot dogs, and Spring World Restaurant for Yunnan "crossing the bridge noodles."

You'll be disappointed in Frontera. There are much better places for Mexican, both upscale and traditional in Chicago. (imho)

[Rob C]

Originally Posted by hornplayer

You'll be disappointed in Frontera. There are much better places for Mexican, both upscale and traditional in Chicago. (imho)

I have to agree, Frontera was one of my major dining disappointments. However, I do like their station at the Macy's food court for lunch.

[Pete C]

I'll keep that in mind, but I still might try brunch there.

I just booked 4 nights at the Hyatt Regency through Priceline at $96 a night--8/28-9/1.

[Gordon B]

I asked a vegetarian friend who lived in Chicago until two years ago. She recommended Su Casa for Mexican.

[Uli]

Haven't been at Frontera grill for a long time but do remember it as quite exquisite. If I can manage I will go to lunch with you there, Pete.

[Gordon B]

Originally Posted by Uli

Haven't been at Frontera grill for a long time but do remember it as quite exquisite. If I can manage I will go to lunch with you there, Pete.

Rick Bayless was the guest chef on Top Chef last week.

[Pete C]

No detailed schedule yet, but Dee Dee Bridgewater & Eddie Palmieri are now on the lineup.

[Pete C]

The full schedule is now available. All I can say is Wow!

30th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival - August 28 – 31, 2008
Thursday, August 28:

Millennium Park – Pritzker Pavilion
6:30 p.m. Sonny Rollins

Friday, August 29th:
Jazz on Jackson
12:00-12:55 Isotope 217
1:10-2:05 Jazz Guitar Summit featuring Curtis Robinson, John Moulder, Jeff Parker, Buddy Fambro, Robert Shy and Josh Abrams
2:20-3:15 Alison Ruble Quartet
3:30-4:30 “Jazz has the Blues” featuring George Freeman and Billy Branch

Jazz & Heritage Stage
12:30-1:30 Big Band Competition Winners
2:00-3:00 Vijay Iyer: Composer Talk
3:30-4:30 “Jimmy’s Jam Session” featuring Curtis Black Quartet plus Ahmed Salaheldeen, Edward House and Zaid Krisberg

Petrillo
5:00-5:50 T.S. Galloway’s Tribute to Capt. Walter Dyett featuring Julian Priester
6:00-6:55 AACM Tribute w/ 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 Mugrew Miller, Ira Coleman and Kenny Washington
8:30-9:30 Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Band

Saturday, August 30
Jazz on Jackson
12:00-12:55 Jo Ann Dougherty Quartet
1:10-2:10 Chicago Bass Masters featuring Larry Gary, 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 Gary, Willie Pickens and Joel Spencer

Jazz & Heritage Stage
12:30-1:30 James Sanders’ Conjunto
2:00-3:00 “Percussion Discussion” with Thurman Barker
3:30-4:30 TBA

Petrillo
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
Jazz on Jackson
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 Septet
3:30-4:30 Sean Jones Sextet

Jazz & Heritage Stage
12:30-1:30 TBA
2:00-3:00 “Art of the Solo” featuring Julian Priester
3:30-4:30 Karl Monzka Quartet

Petrillo
5:00-5:50 Ron Dewar Quintet
6:00-6:55 From the Netherlands: ICP (Instant Composers Pool)
7:10-8:10 Eight Bold Souls w/ special guest
8:30-9:30 Ornette Coleman

[Rob C]

That's the most exciting lineup since I've been going!

[Uli]

Looks good.

This thread should get sticky status.

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by Uli

This thread should get sticky status.

[Pete C]

The schedule I posted above was from the Jazz Institute website. I found an additional set listed on the City of Chicago site for Saturday. I'll also add it above:

4:30-4:45 - Remembering Franz Jackson: Eric Schneider, Art Hoyle, Tom Hope, Dan Delorenzo and Robert Cousins

[Ron Thorne]

Originally Posted by Uli

Looks good.

This thread should get sticky status.

This provided sticky status at lunch today.

[jazzy mary]

Those desserts look so good!

[Scott Dolan]

Are any of you cats looking to attend any of the Saturday shows?

I'll probably be in town around 2 that afternoon. Would love to meet up with some of you for the show if possible.

We should exchange some cell numbers...

I wish we could merge this thread with the Chicago "hang" thread Pete started.


http://speakeasy.jazzcorner.com/spea...ad.php?t=22974

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Are any of you cats looking to attend any of the Saturday shows?

I'll probably be in town around 2 that afternoon. Would love to meet up with some of you for the show if possible.

I plan to catch the 1:10 & 3:30 Jackson sets as well as the whole evening at Petrillo.

[Scott Dolan]

Yeah, the set at the band shell looks interesting, although I'm completely unfamiliar with Whitted.

I doubt I'll make those afternoon shows, though.

I'd love to catch the Priester set that Sunday, but I'm not sure if Portillo's won't end up cutting into it.

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Yeah, the set at the band shell looks interesting, although I'm completely unfamiliar with Whitted.

I like the fact that they showcase locals as opening acts for the evening shows. Plus, if you want a good seat you get there at least 15 minutes before the first set.

[Uli]

Pharez Whitted is one Chicago's hottrumpetplayers. His groupsusually have Charles Heath on drums, worththeadmission alone

Anybody knows whatDaveDouglas' group is allabout? Heard goodthingsabout his vision fest set.

[Pete C]

Originally Posted by Uli

one Chicago's hottrumpetplayers.

Quit it with those Germanic compound nouns.

[Uli]

my spacebar is about giving it up. more importantly so is my pointer. going nuts clicking. anyadvice?

[Pete C]

I'd be more concerned about my pointer and my nuts, but that's not to minimize your spacebar problem.

[Scott Dolan]

My hotel is around 16-17 blocks from the band shell. If nothing else, I'm going to get plenty of exercize that weekend.