All in Musicians

Taj

Taj

Jack Siegel
Musicians, Performance

Taj, accompanied by Bill Rich on bass and Kester Smith on drums, came out at the appointed time, proceeding to put on a terrific show for 100+ minutes.  He still has chops, with a voice that is as distinctive and strong as ever.  No question on the guitar.  During the performance, he played a hollow-body guitar that generated incredible reverb, a National steel guitar, and an acoustic guitar.  For the encore, he stepped over to an electric piano.  I was disappointed that he didn't pick up the banjo or the ukulele.

Strings

Strings

Jack Siegel
Jazz, Musicians

Tonight we have Here and Now, a trio compromised of Tomeka Reid on cello, Mazz Swift on violin, and Sylvia Bolognesi on bass.  When I read list of instruments, I can only wonder whether this will sound like a Hayden string piece. 

Sharp

Sharp

Jack Siegel
Musicians, Performance

"What a lonesome feeling when you are by yourself."  This well-dressed gentleman was certainly by himself tonight, playing very softly while many people passed by on Chicago's river walk, paying no attention to him.

Mojo

Mojo

Jack Siegel
Musicians, Urban Landscapes

Well the citizens of Chicago must have succeeded in doing good things, because the "Go Do Good" mural has been removed.  In its place, is now a colorful portrait of Chicago Blues icon Muddy Waters.  To me, it is a far more appropriate image for the space and the City.  Although I might have preferred a more subtle depiction of Muddy.  It instantly brings to mind Muddy's controversial 1968 album on Chess entitled Electric Mud.  Muddy did not need to go psychedelic.  He was the one who paved the path that made a lot of the rock music of the late Sixties possible.

McCann

McCann

Jack Siegel
Jazz, Performance, Musicians

Tonight it was vocalist Tammy McCann and guitarist Mike Allemana.  As was true back in the Seventies, you might not think that the two musicians could keep it going for two one-hour sets, but you would be very wrong.  Like Ella and Pass, and Eldridge and Peterson, tonight's performers captivated their audience.

Berman

Berman

Jack Siegel
Jazz, Performance, Musicians

Meanwhile, the crowd was enjoying a delicious dinner from the catering department, as well as the barbecue on the lower terrace.  The figs, Italian meats, and cheese looked particularly tempting. And this was the first evening where the skies were that rich blue color that everyone associates with summer.

Cooler

Cooler

Jack Siegel
Musicians, Performance

Taking Youthful Enthusiasim Under the Arm of Grizzled Experience

First up was Charlie Love.  Basic blues, but excellent blues.  Charlie called one Steven up from the audience.  This Chicago teen had his chops down, performing three or four numbers with a cracker jack band.  Steven held his own.  And he has the red and orange shirt thing going on for him.

Hotter

Hotter

Jack Siegel
Musicians, Performance

Toward the end of his set, Theo asked if three lovely ladies would join him on stage for some hip shaking.  A couple of the women who volunteered knew how to shake their hips.  I give a lot of credit to the 89-year old lady who jumped up at the opportunity to join Theo.

Hot

Hot

Jack Siegel
Performance, Musicians

"Blow Your Harmonica Son" 

The Chicago Blues Festival opened today as temperatures soared above 90 degrees, with the City's streets clogged by pedestrians  and vehicles.  Even with sirens blaring, the police found themselves stuck in traffic.

Meanwhile, blues music often blared from four stages in Grant Park.

Mallinger

Mallinger

Jack Siegel
Jazz, Musicians

The winter chill returned to Chicago today, but Chicago saxophonist Pat Mallinger brought a trio to the Museum of Contemporary Art warm the day and kick off the Tuesdays Jazz on the Terrace annual series.  With Mallinger, were Pete Benson on piano and Matt Ferguson on bass.