The 2022 Chicago Bluesfest kicked off today, with an all-star lineup of Chicago Blues artists. Here are my thoughts about and my images from the first day of this four-day festival that attracts visitors from around the country and the world.
All in Performance
Alito's Leak II
Today, somewhere around 5,000 abortion-rights advocates gather in Chicago’s Federal Plaza, and they then marched through the Loop, ending at the Ida B. Wells Memorial. Here are my thoughts about what I witnessed, together with my images.
Vijay Iyer
Pianist Vijay Iyer brought his friends to the Logan Center for the Performing Arts to perform Ghosts of Everywhere I Go, a commissioned piece of music intended to reflect the Black Experience in Chicago. I was fortunate to be in the audience with camera in had. Here are my thoughts and images.
Red, Green, and Black
Toward the end of my walk celebrating the first nice day of the year, I encountered a demonstration by Palestinians in support of the Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel. Here are my thoughts and images.
Polkadots and Jazz
Gary Bartz appeared at the Chicago’s Jazz Showcase over Labor Day weekend. He is an outstanding alto and soprano saxophone player, with a fluid sound. Here are Jack Siegel’s thoughts about the set, together with his images.
It's a Gasser (II)
Today, Jack B. Siegel made his second pilgrimage to the Great Lakes Dragaway in Union Grove, Wisconsin. The Chicago Wise Guys were the feature attraction, bringing colorful cars, crews, carts, tools, and trailers for a day of nitro racing. The roar of the engines were ever present, at times deafening. These guys know how to haul ass down the quarter-mile track, sometimes reaching speeds close to or exceeding 200 miles per hour.
Jazz is Back
Jazz is back in Chicago. It is great to hear and photograph live music in the clubs. I’ve been to Andy’s Jazz Club, the Jazz Showcase, and Winter’s Jazz Club, as well as to several street festivals, including Summer on State and the Wicker Park Street Festival. All the musicians are enthusiastic about performing before audiences again. And who wouldn’t be if it means getting out of the house?
It's a Gasser (I)
I headed up to Great Lakes Dragaway in Union Grove, Wisconsin today to checkout the races and the surrounding scene.
Russian Renaissance
The award winning Russian Renaissance appeared In Chicago today to exhibit their virtuosity. The quartet performs using traditional Russian folk instruments, including the balalaika, the button accordion, the domra, and a contrabass balalaika. They played a variety of world music, including works by Béla Fleck, Tchaikovsky, Django Reinhardt, Galliano, and De Abreu. It is obvious why they have played in major concert halls throughout the world, and won the 2017 Prize Competition
Big Diehl (II)
Aaron Diehl and Warren Wolf teamed up at the University of Chicago to take on the Modern Jazz Quartet's legacy. Here are Jack Siegel’s thoughts and images from the concert.
Taborn and Davis
Kris Davis and Craig Taborn, two of the top pianists in jazz today, perform together at the UChicago Presents series earlier this year.
Halloween
Jack B. Siegel’s images from the 2019 Boystown Halloween parade in Chicago
Fred and Julian
Fred Hersch and Julian Lage perform at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts as part of the University of Chicago’s Jazz Series.
Ed Ruscha
Ed Ruscha discusses his work and career during an event hosted by the Art Institute of Chicago’s Woman’s Board.
Hyde Park Jazz Festival (II)
Sunday saw some great music and dancing on Day 2 of the 2019 Hyde Park Jazz Festival.
Chicago Jazzfest--Day 4
The final day of the 2019 Chicago Jazzfest ended with performances by Eddie Palmieri, Miguel Zenon, Melissa Aldana, and Camila Meza in a salute to Latin Jazz. During the day, Ben LaMar Gay and Will Faber offered an extraordinary performance mixing the Art of Ensemble of Chicago with electronics, and folk sensibilities. Also performing were pianist Ben Sidran, Joan Collaso, and Sharel Cassity.