The schedule isn't out yet, but on Wayne Shorter's itinerary I see he'll be there on 8/31. I think I'll be there.

* * *

Another sneak preview. I'm just back from a Ray Anderson show in my neighborhood. Coincidentally, there was this note in the program: "On August 30, Mr. Anderson will premiere a work commissioned by Chamber Music America at the Chicago Jazz Festival with the theme of 'Home' in recognition of his home city, Chicago."

According to Pollstar, artists for 8/29 are Patricia Barber & Chico Hamilton and Euphoria. That's all they have at the moment.

How was the Ray gig? Who was in the band? Man, I wish he'd play in my neighborhood again. I lobbied hard like a mofo to get him on the bill at this year's Burlington festival, to no avail, alas.

Now THIS is a nice lineup. I'm there Friday-Sunday.

Chicago Jazz Festival 2002
August 29-September 1

THURSDAY AUGUST 29

Petrillo Stage 6-9:30 pm
David Sanchez Quintet
Patricia Barber
Chico Hamilton & Euphoria w/ Arthur Blythe and Larry Coryell

FRIDAY AUGUST 30

Petrillo Stage 6-9:30 pm
Tribute to Bill Holman with Chicago Jazz Ensemble
Ray Anderson Quartet
Ahmad Jamal w/George Coleman

SATURDAY AUGUST 31

Jackson Stage (Noon-4:30pm)
Chicago Composers Project: Grazyna Auguscik with Jarek Bester’s “Past Forward”
Butch Thompson
Ron Perillo Quartet
TBA

Jazz and Heritage Stage (12:30-4:30 pm)
Children’s Dance Theater
David Hernandez and Street Sounds
Yoko Noge’s Jazz Me Blues
Art of the Solo with Dushun Mosley

Petrillo Stage (5-9:30 pm)
Oliver Lake/Mal Waldron
Jimmy Heath with Chicago Jazz ORchestra
Carla Cook Quintet
Wayne Shorter Quartet

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 1

Jazz and Heritage Stage (12:30-4:30 pm)
Jodie Christian’s Chicago Jazz Tour
Danilo Perez: Latin Rhythms (to be confirmed)
El Amal Trio: Music of North Africa & Middle East
Langston Hughes Tribute: Weary Blues with Quraysh Ali Lansana

Jackson Stage (Noon-4:30pm)
Kim Cusack Trad Band
John McLean Quartet
Chuchito Valdes’ Afro-Cuban Ensemble
Maggie Brown Quintet

Petrillo Stage (5-9:30 pm)
Von Freeman’s 80th Birthday Quartet
George Lewis with NOW Orchestra
“Jammin at the Petrillo” with young lions Eric Reed, Seamus Blake, Russell Gunn, Steve Davis, Jim Gailloreto and others
Sphere with Kenny Barron, Gary Bartz, Ben Riley, Buster Williams and Phil Woods

Double post

Triple post

Hope to see ya, C.

Lunch, baby

By the way, the only weak links for me on the three nights I'll be there are the "young lions" jam (I don't even like "old tigers" jams), and Carla Cook--who is an excellent singer but makes too many awful "crossover" repertoire choices. I assume/hope the Heath thing will be his charts. I'm really excited about Lake/Waldron, Lewis/NOW, and Shorter. Jamal is always a treasure, but Coleman is uneven. Woods does nothing for me, but at least he's in great company. And I hope Russo & the ensemble do some of Holman's amazing Monk charts.

Heard today that Uri Cain will do the opening concert at the cultuaral center on Thursday and George Lewis will be the artist in residence during the fest doing a show on Wednesday, I think, and some other stuff.

That opening concert at the Cultural Center is always a treat. The space is magnificent, all marble, and pianists really get a chance to shine. The Randy Weston set I saw there is etched into my brain.
Should be a good chance to hear Uri in an intimate, unforgettable setting.

Pete -- See if you can check out some of the unofficial musicians at Kahil El Zabar's crib, if you have some after hours energy to spare.

uli, i will be there as always, looking forward to seeing you again. i forgot to tell you that i came up to see dave holland on 6/15. make sure you introduce him to me. pete and chris, if you see a large black guy with glasses, baseball cap, and a camera bag at his side, hanging with an older white man with a couple of cameras strapped around his neck, it'll be me and my friend jimmie jones, so come up and introdue yourselves.

Looking forward, Greg.

Little tidbit of info. Have heard that the George Lewis and Now Orchestra will feature compositions and solos by guest artists Roscoe Mitchell, Fred Anderson & Billy Brimfield. Apparently all in the to be determined stage.

<to be determined stage>??? cute!!! where is that? in Buckingham Fountain??

I've been trying to post that I'm coming to Chgo at fest-time this year (for a change) (have not been aboe to post on this thread from home on my MAC)

am definitely coming Sunday for Von's birthday party... Eddie Johnson is playing with him!!!

Good to hear, hope to see ya, hp.

Uli, send me your current e-mail address so we can arrange to hook up.

Assuming the Record Mart is doing its Sunday morning jam, I plan to do lunch at Jaipur Palace afterwards. Anyone else game?

Souds good. Will send e-mail, C. Will be out of the country from 8/15 to 24 or abouts.

So far this much about after fest sets:

The Showcase has Ira Sullivan as leader for the sessions

Hot House has 8 bold souls and Roscoe Mitchell and a blues piano players evening. Check the sites for details.

The Velvet willo have Kidd Jordan, Fred Anderson and possibly Drake for I think 2 evenings.

More as it transpires.

check out http://jazzinstituteofchicago.org/index.asp?target=/calendar/calendar.asp for more details

some interesting events added since i've last checked

an event about the history of electronics in Chi-town with George Lewis, Phil Cohran, Roscoe Mitchell, Jeff Parker.
would be quite a band. hope this is not a discussion. Cutlural center Thur 12.15.

and "Saxophone Summit with Eric Schneider, Ari Brown, Duke Payne, Mwata Bowden, Cobe Watkins et al, Jackson Stage

I notice that J.C.'s Claire Daly will be part of the "Jammin' at the Petrillo" set.

From the Jazz Institute website:

"This year's festival will not be broadcast on WBEZ this year, as they were not able to find a commercial sponsor. People who want to listen will have to come downtown, which might be a good thing. More people downtown, visibly showing their support, might translate into increased support from the city and corporate sponsors."

That's really too bad. Even tho I'm going to be at Von Freeman's 80th Birthday Celebration on Sunday, I had planned to have a friend back home tape it off the broadcast for me. Now that won't be possible.

The set with Mal Waldron and Oliver Lake, on Saturday, is what put me over the edge to make it in from Detroit. I consider Mal to be one of the legends of the music. Apparently they will be performing the music of Eric Dolphy! Funny, I got a lot of lukewarm responses when I mentioned this to some friends.

Also, off the well worn paths of Grant Park:

TRIAGE (Dave Rempis and Tim Daisy of Vandermark 5) at 3030
Thursday night at 9pm

MARS WILLIAMS/FRED LONBERG-HOLM/JASON ROEBKE/DYLAN VANDERSCHYFF at 3030 on Friday night at 9pm

OLIVER LAKE WITH 8 BOLD SOULS at Hothouse Friday at 10pm

ROSCOE MITCHELL 4TET AND GUESTS at Hothouse Sat. at 10pm

FRED ANDERSON/KIDD JORDAN AND FRIENDS at Velvet Lounge
Saturday and Sunday

MALACHI THOMPSON'S AFRICA BRASS will be at the African Arts Festival on Monday afternoon as part of an all weekend festival of world musics and art.

Pat Frisco

Add to that Malachi Thompson's Freebop Band with Gary Bartz on Sunday at Hothouse.

Hi Everyone. I'm thinking about going to this. American Airlines came out with their Netsaver fares and it's only $139 to Chi Town from Dallas over Labor Day.

Tell me a good place to sta, Not too expensive that is in a nice area and close to Grant Park. Also, some good resturants to go to with GREAT italian food. I would love to hook up with u all also by the way.

Thanks! (Jaz4life-formerly Ms Thang!)

What day do you plan to arrive? If it's Friday you can try for Club Quarters, which has 2 locations near Grant Park. They only book to the public on weekends (otherwise it's all corporate contracts), through various online services. The best rates should be through Travelweb.com. The one on E. Wacker may be sold out (I'm staying there), but the one on W. Adams may have rooms from $77-99 per night. Don't stay at the Congress hotel, it's a dump.

Expedia is showing a great rate at the Palmer House Hilton: $92 a night Thurs, Fri & Sun., $199 on Sat.--so the average daily rate would be very good for a classic Chicago hotel. And it's very close to the park.

The Palmer House is so great! And Pete's right; it's just a stone's throw from the park.
If you're looking for Italian food, a good approach is to get in a cab, ask for Taylor Street and walk into one of many homey spots with quality offerings.

I'm afraid I'll have to miss you guys. Family obligations at a lake home.

From what I've heard in the past, I think the hothouse shows can sell out quickly on festival nights. They do take ticket orders online, and only a $1 service charge.

I love the Italian Village on Monroe (upstairs).

Go to Zagat.com Chicago and check out the exact address for La Fontinella. Yum!

I don't know how much I'm going to be ble to hang out that weekend because my dad is not in good shape, but I will definitely be there Sunday afternoon for Von's 80th celebration.

Does anybody know what time the Sunday morning bagel & jam begins at the Record Mart, and whether they're also doing something on Saturday (Jarman did a Saturday morning thing a couple of years ago)?

I called the store. Doors open at 9AM Sunday, music starts at 10. Who all's comin'?

I am up for it.

So Uli & whomever else, how about Jaipur Palace around noon on Sunday. It's just around the corner (& below) the Record Mart at 22 E. Hubbard.

Sounds good to me, Pete.

For those coming in town for the festival, Here are some of the performers at the 13th annual African Fest in Washington Park at 55th and Cottage Grove. Admission is $8.00/day

Friday (8/30)
4-5 Hassan Hakmoun
5:30-6:30 Diana King
7-8 Roy Ayers
8:30-10 Daniela Mercury

Saturday
5-6 Emiline Michel
6:30-8 Bobby Blue Bland
8:30-10 George Duke

Sunday
6:30-8 Rachelle Ferrell
8:30-10 Poncho Sanchez

Monday
2:30-3:30 Malachi Thompson and Africa Brass w. Gary Bartz & Dee Alexander
4-5 Muntu Dance Theatre
5:30-6:30 Mahotella Queens
7-10 George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic

Leon Harris`

wow. I'm going to be on my way back to Ohare when Malachi takes the stand on Monday. Wish I could catch that one!

Dee Alexander is good!

hp-Bartz will be with Thompson Sunday night at hothouse.

I know, but I will probably have to head back to the North Side soon aftaer Von's performance.

The reader's more indepth previews are up including Neil Tesser'sw tradition after fest previews:
http://www.chicagoreader.com/music/jazzfest/afterhours2002.html

sure would love to be there - nice to see that the *great* George Lewis is featured strongly during the festival

Damn. One of these years.

So, how'd it go?

For me it was a very nice festival.
Hilites for me.Oliver Lake & Mal Waldron duo. Performed the first time together, played mostly Waldron's tunes, Lake tore them up. Other hilites: Holman & Jimmy Heath's with Chi-town big bands, Arthur Blythe with Coryell, Von Freeman, George Lewis with the NOW orchestra with my man Anderson (especially a nice arrangement of Saxoon), Roscoe Mitchell, Billy Brimfield (glad to see him in great shape after a recent stroke, Chuchito, Frank Catalano, Rusell Gunn in Erik Reeds unit and more. Expected a bit more of Ray Anderson's unit. They performed an ambitious 4 piece suite for the first time and to me it sounded like it. All individual members are great but for me it did not really all come together. ended up listening just to the drums and tuba.

Had to miss the Shorter & Sphere sets.

Nice to meet C.

Caught Waldon/Lake, Jimmy Heath, Wayne Shorter, and George Lewis and NOW, as well as the afterfest Saturday at the Velvet with Fred Anderson, Kidd Jordan (who knocked me out), Jeff Parker, Malachi Favors, Tatsu Aoki, and Hamid Drake, along with some guests, including Oliver Lake.

All very fine. I particularly liked the Shorter and Lewis sets, and the afterfest session (particularly the first, before the special guests began sitting in) was great. There was a kid off to the side of the Velvet stage dancing like crazy. Never saw anybody mosh to jazz before.

That last post was from me. Not sure why, but I have trouble posting from home....

A man's home should be his Castle.

I've always said a Castle in time saves nine.

Not really sure what I mean by it.

Pete,
What did you like?

I'll get to it. My job responsibilities only allow for one liners at the moment.

OK, here goes.

Friday-
Bill Holman with Chicago Jazz Ensmeble--these guys were so tight, and they played a range of Holman's charts, from a version of "Stompin' at the Savoy" he did for Kenton through his recent Monk arrangements. A delightful set of music by a great, versatile arranger. They opened with "tree Frog" from the album ("I Told You So") he wrote for Basie.

Ray Anderson's Pocket Brass Band. I agree with Uli--the format gets tedious, and I had just seen the band in May. 4 great musicians, to be sure, though.

Ahmad Jamal trio w/ George Coleman. Another delightful set. I always enjoy Jamal, and the great Idris Muhammad was on drums. Coleman came on for the second half of the set, and he was in fine form (he can be uneven these days).

Saturday-
Mal waldron & Oliver Lake. Exquisite but too short (45 minutes) set of Waldron compositions. Not a Dolphy tribute as someone hinted above, though they did do Fire Waltz. Lake was on fire and Waldron was subdued, as he usually is in duo contexts (I still prefer him with the drive of a rhythm section behind him).

Jimmy Heath with Chicago Jazz Orchestra. I'm wishy washy about Heath as a horn player, but I love his arrangements. The locals did them justice. They obviously had adequate rehearsal time.

Carla Cook. A good singer, but not my cup of tea. I find her "earnestness" a bit much, and her choice of crossover material (and her prefacing those tunes with jabs at the "jazz police") questionable. She was a big hit though. I suspect she would appeal to a lot of the same audience as Diane Reeves (and maybe Maya Angelou...)

Wayne Shorter quartet. Wow! Tighter than the concert I saw last year and the record, Wayne taking longer solos. Amazing empathy and creative tension throughout. This is one group where, IMO, the sum is even greater than the parts. Blade was especially exciting that night.

Sunday-
Morning at the Record Mart. First set started as the Fred Anderson trio (Aoki & Drake), then joined by Ernest Dawkins, Ari Brown & Malachi Thompson. A joyful, visceral workout. Next up was a New Orleans revival band--I caught one tune, then went browsing through the cd's in the other room. After that a straight ahead group I was unfamiliar with, and finally a short set by tenor player Frank Catalano. For my money, Catalano is one of the most engaging of the younger straight ahead tenors--much more so than Eric Alexander, and working similar territory.

At the festival I caught Chuchito Valdes' afternoon set. This third generation pianist definitely has the family genes. A hot set of latin jazz--nothing really original, but quite enjoyable.

Sunday evening--
Von Freeman. Another highlight of the festival for me. What a tone, and what chops for a former septugenarian. I had never seen him before, except for a guest spot at a prior festival.

"Jammin' at the Petrillo"--as expected, a boring jam session. A bunch of good musicians, to be sure, but not my bag.

George Lewis with the Now Orchestra. I was surprised at how much Lewis's charts swing. I think I was expecting something more relentlessly cerebral. Nice contributions from Fred Anderson & Roscoe Mitchell.

Sphere + Phil Woods. It was billed as "Millenium Monk," but they didn't do any Monk. Seeing Bartz & Woods side by side reinforced what I already knew--how good Bartz is, and how facile Woods is.

uli, you may have heard this from fred or mr friend jimmie but i didn't make the festival this year because i had a stroke 8/24 and just got out of the hospital today. i hope you all enjoyed yourself, i am progressing nicely, there and i hope to see you there next year.

Greg, good to hear you are back on track, man! Yeah, Fred had told me the morning he called you. He did not know that we know each other. He gave me your number at the hospital and I tried to call you once but did not get an answer.

Have to run, take it easy!

Greg, glad you're doing well. Uli had told me you were in the hospital. Rain check.

For me the Roscoe Mitchell afterfest session at the Hot House was a real highpoint. He was accompanied by Craig Taborn on piano, Harrison Bankhead on bass, Vincent Davis (I believe) on drums, and a young trumpet player whose name I don't recall. This band was on fire. They played a nice variety of stuff, unlike sometimes when I've seen Roscoe. While everyone played extremely well, I was particularly impressed with Taborn, who played like a possessed man the whole time (in a Cecil Taylor style, while maintaining a melodic sense). If you get a chance, check this band out (I noticed they will be at the Ann Arbor edgefest).

One humorous incident: At one point in a unaccompanied solo, Bankhead made a small slip, producing a clunking sound. Most of the time, a musician would just keep going, and no one would have noticed much. But Bankhead stopped playing, looked up and said 'Oops!'. What made this even funnier was that this was a serious looking bunch of musicians that night, and the intensity was very high. Even Roscoe laughed.

Also impressive was the Scott Rosenberg big band at the Cultural Center. An 11 piece unit of young Chicago musicians doing some interesting compositions.

I also enjoyed the Uri Caine solo piano set at the Cultural Center. He did some interesting treatments of standards. I particularly liked his harmonic ideas, lots of pretty 'out' stuff.