Musicians — Show and Tell

Jack Siegel is a Chicago-based photographer who traverses the streets of Chicago with camera in hand. Jack's practice includes architectural photography and urban landscapes.

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All in Musicians

Christmas Carols

Dec 7

Dec 7 Christmas Carols

Chicago, Chicago Tourism, Demonstrations, Donald J. Trump, Festivals, Musicians, Performance, Protest, Public Declarations

On Sunday, December 7, 2025, 15 Christmas carolers could be seen on the sidewalk adjacent to Daley Plaza, where the City’s annual Christkindlmarket is located. They hoped their songs would highlight what many believe is a genocide unfolding in Gaza. The melodies were familiar, but the words to the Christmas songs had been changed to highlight the death and destruction that the Palestinian People have been experienced during the last two years. Here are my thoughts about and images from this holiday demonstration.

Selenium Derivatization Blues

Nov 21

Nov 21 Selenium Derivatization Blues

Blues, Chicago, Jazz, Musicians, Performance, Things to Do in Chicago

Billy Branch brought his Sons of the Blues to the Logan Center Friday night. The SOBs were larger than normal, with a horn section and three backup singers. Branch was launching his new album, The Blues is My Biography. The band the music was terrific. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening.

Mexican Independence Day

Sep 14

Sep 14 Mexican Independence Day

Chicago, Chicago Tourism, Demonstrations, Donald J. Trump, Festivals, Musicians, Parades, Performance, Public Declarations, Things to Do in Chicago

On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Chicago’s Mexican Community celebrated Mexican Independence Day with a parade in Little Village. Here are my thoughts about and images from the afternoon celebration.

Jazzfest, Day 3

Aug 30

Aug 30 Jazzfest, Day 3

Blues, Chicago Tourism, Festivals, Jazz, Musicians, Performance, Things to Do in Chicago

The third day of the 2025 Chicago Jazz Festival brought a variety of jazz styles to Chicago’s Millennium Park. Alto saxophonist Gary Bartz played some funk, as well as the airy sounds of early Seventies electrified jazz. Closing out the day, Kermit Ruffins and the Barbeque Swingers played many familiar songs rooted in the New Orleans jazz tradition. Here are my thoughts and images from the day’s performances.

Jazzfest, Day 2

Aug 29

Aug 29 Jazzfest, Day 2

Chicago, Chicago Tourism, Donald J. Trump, Festivals, Jazz, Musicians, Performance, Things to Do in Chicago

The second day of the 2025 Chicago Jazz Festival brought a variety of jazz styles to Chicago’s Millennium Park. Hands down, pianist Patricia Barber outdid everyone with her lyrical wordplay rooted in the Beat poets and her piano work, but her band was also outstanding because it maintained a consistency musical line throughout Barber’s performance. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day.

Jazzfest, Day 1

Aug 28

Aug 28 Jazzfest, Day 1

Blues, Chicago, Chicago Tourism, Jazz, Musicians, Performance, Things to Do in Chicago

The 2025 Chicago Jazz Festival opened its four-day run with a superb lineup. Here are my thoughts about and images from the the first day of the festival.

Christian Nationalism

Aug 16

Aug 16 Christian Nationalism

Crime, Demonstrations, Donald J. Trump, Festivals, Musicians, Performance, Protest, Public Declarations

Late Saturday afternoon, Sean Feucht brought his rock and roll ministry to Chicago’s Daley Plaza. Often characterized as a Christian nationalist, the charismatic Feucht led 100 of his adherents in prolonged prayer, which included music, chants, and spoken words. Here are my thoughts about and images from the rally.

Blues Fest, Day 4

Jun 15

Jun 15 Blues Fest, Day 4

Blues, Chicago, Festivals, Musicians, Performance, Things to Do in Chicago

The 2025 Chicago Blues Festival went out with a bang tonight at the Pritzker Pavilion. Unfortunately, C.J. Chenier was scratched from the lineup due to an hour-long rain delay, but Lurrie Bell, Avery R. Young, and Mavis Staples did take the stage. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day’s performances.

Blues Fest, Day 3

Jun 7

Jun 7 Blues Fest, Day 3

Chicago, Blues, Festivals, Musicians, Performance, Things to Do in Chicago

Saturday brought an exciting days of Blues to Chicago’s Millennium Park as the 2025 Chicago Blues Festival kept churning out exciting music for the thousands who flooded the park today. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day’s festivities.

Blues Fest, Day 2

Jun 6

Jun 6 Blues Fest, Day 2

Blues, Chicago, Chicago Tourism, Festivals, Musicians, Performance, Things to Do in Chicago

The 2025 Chicago Bluesfest opened its run in Chicago’s Millennium Park today. For me, the big name of the day was Christone “Kingfish” ingram who played during the B.B. Ing Centennial Tribute on the main stage at the Pritzker Pavilion. Tomorrow Kingfish is the headliner. Here are my thoughts about Kingfish’s and all the other often incendiary performances, together with my images.

Blues Fest, Day 1

Jun 5

Jun 5 Blues Fest, Day 1

Blues, Chicago, Chicago Tourism, Festivals, Musicians, Performance, Things to Do in Chicago

The 2025 Chicago Bluesfest kicked off this evening at the Ramova Theatre in Bridgeport. The bill included 91-year-old living legend Bobby Rush, as well as Billy Branch and the Sons of the Blues. Here are my thoughts about electrifying performances, together with my images from the evening.

Funding for Ukraine

Mar 27

Mar 27 Funding for Ukraine

Chicago, Blues, Jazz, Musicians, Performance, Protest, Public Declarations, Things to Do in Chicago

On Thursday, March 27, 2025, I attended a fundraiser for the Ukrainian military at Le Piano, a jazz club located in Chicago’s Rogers Park. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening of fun and music.

'Stretch' Music

Jan 31

Jan 31 'Stretch' Music

Chicago, Jazz, Musicians, Performance, Things to Do in Chicago

On Friday, January 31, trumpeter Chief Adjuah (formerly Christian Scott) performed an electrifying set at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. Here are my thoughts about and images from Adjuah’s performance.

Southern Soul at Logan

Jan 25

Jan 25 Southern Soul at Logan

Chicago, Festivals, Jazz, Musicians, Performance, Things to Do in Chicago, Blues

On January 25, 2025, the University of Chicago staged a Southern Soul Celebration at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. Leading the charge were singers Joe Barr, Theo Huff, and Nellie “Tiger” Travis, backed by the Platinum Band. Here are my thoughts about and images from this fun-filled evening.

Melanie Charles

Oct 18

Oct 18 Melanie Charles

Jazz, Musicians, Performance

Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Melanie Charles brought her quintet to the Reva and David Logan Center for the Performing Arts Friday Evening, kicking off the 2024-25 Jazz At The Logan series. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening.

Marking One Year (IV)

Oct 7

Oct 7 Marking One Year (IV)

Performance, Musicians, Protest, Public Declarations, Demonstrations, Chicago

The group, If Not Now, held a memorial service for those Israelis and Palestinians who were killed during the last year as a consequence of the attack by Hamas on October 7th and the subsequent Israeli military response. Here are my thoughts about and images from the memorial.

JazzFest, Day 4

Sep 1

Sep 1 JazzFest, Day 4

Chicago Tourism, Chicago, Festivals, Jazz, Musicians, Things to Do in Chicago

Day 4 (Sunday) of the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival saw another day of perfect weather and great music, particularly with Eddie Henderson, George Cables, Mike Clark, Donald Harrison, Orrin Evans, and Alfie Jackson on the bill. Here are my thoughts about and images from the festival's final day.

JazzFest, Day 3

Aug 31

Aug 31 JazzFest, Day 3

Chicago Tourism, Chicago, Festivals, Jazz, Musicians, Performance, Things to Do in Chicago

Day 3 of the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival brought sunny skies and warm temperatures, with lots of excellent music from a variety of artists, including Dennis Carroll, Jeff Parker, René Marie, and Kenny Garrett (if you like sheets of notes). Here are my thoughts about and images from the day.

JazzFest, Day 2

Aug 30

Aug 30 JazzFest, Day 2

Chicago, Chicago Tourism, Festivals, Jazz, Musicians, Performance, Things to Do in Chicago

The second day of the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival was the first day of outdoor concerts at Chicago's Millennium Park. Here are my thoughts about and images from days performances.

JazzFest, Day 1

Aug 29

Aug 29 JazzFest, Day 1

Chicago, Festivals, Jazz, Musicians, Performance, Things to Do in Chicago

The 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival kicked off today with multiple performances at the Chicago Cultural Center. Here are my thoughts and images from Day 1 of the four-day festival.