The 40th Annual Chicago Bluesfest continued today with performances by Southern Avenue, Vanessa Collier, and a Centennial Tribute to Dinah Washington featuring Dee Alexander. Here are my observations about and images from the Day 2.
All in Things to Do in Chicago
Bluesfest 2024--Day 1
The 40th Annual Chicago Bluesfest kicked off its residency in Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion tonight with performances by Corey Harris and Mr. Sipp, together with a centennial tribute to Jimmy Rogers, one of the architects of the Muddy Waters sound. Here are my thoughts about and images from the today’s festivities.
Humanities & Happiness
I had the opportunity to attend a conversation between New York Times columnist David Brooks and his wife, Ann Snyder tonight. The focus was on the role of the humanities in our life, particularly as people find themselves midway into their careers or racing toward retirement. Here are my thoughts about and images from the event, which was held in the David Rubenstein Forum on the University of Chicago’s Hyde Park campus.
Emmet Cohen
Emmet Cohen brought his trio to the University of Chicago’s Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts Friday night for what was a terrific evening of music. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening’s peformance.
Loops With Jeff Parker
Tonight I attended a performance by Chicago guitarist Jeff Parker and the New Breed. To my ears, the music was inspired by early-Seventies Soft Machine, but with far more electronics added to the mix. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening.
Alarm Will Sound
Last Friday night I had the pleasure of attending a world premiere performance by Alarm Will Sound at the University of Chicago’s Logan Center, where the ensemble had been recording an album since Tuesday. The live performance was also recorded. Here are my impressions, together with images from this historic performance.
Chicago Jazzfest--Day 4
The Four-day 2023 Chicago Jazz Festival came to an end this evening. The temperatures soared, but the relaxed informal vibe and great music kept everyone cool. Here are my thought and photographs about the festival’s final day.
Chicago Jazzfest--Day 3
South African pianist Nduduzo Makhathini gave a breakout performance during Day 3 of the 2023 Chicago Jazz Festival. If you are fan of Abdullah Ibrahim or McCoy Tyner, Makhathini is your man. For my thoughts about and images of Makhathini and all the other musicians who performed today, click on the following link:
Chicago Jazzfest--Day 2
Day 2 of the 2023 Chicago Jazz Festival is now in the history books. There were many excellent performances, including ones by the Ari Brown Quintet, and singer Kurt Elling, with Charlie Hunter on guitar. Here are my thoughts about and images from Day 2.
Chicago Jazzfest--Day 1
Day 1 of the 2023 Chicago Jazzfest is now history. Some great players took part, including Ron Carter, Chico Freeman, George Freeman, Ernest Dawkins, Marlene Rosenberg, and Oscar Evely. Here are my thoughts and images from this extraordinary day.
Gary Bartz
Acclaimed saxophonist Gary Bartz is in Chicago this weekend at the famed Jazz Showcase. I caught his first set tonight, which was stellar. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening.
Charles McPherson
I had the opportunity to see and hear alto saxophonist Charles McPherson three times over the last month. Here are my thoughts about what I heard and the accompanying images.
Duck Derby
The Money Shot. My thoughts about and images from the Duck Derby
Bluesfest 2023
Tonight, the 2023 Chicago Bluesfest kicked off its four-day run in Chicago’s Millennium Park. The night included a centennial tribute to Albert King, as well as spell-bounding performances from 89-year old Bobby Rush and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Here are my thoughts about and images from a delightful evening of music.
Linda May Han Oh
Bassist Linda May Han Oh performed this past Saturday night at the Reva and David Logan Center for the arts with a group of top-flight jazz musicians. Here are my thoughts about and images about the evening.
Aldana
Saxophonist Melissa Aldama looked to the stars for inspiration during her performance tonight, keeping evil Clotho at bay. Here are my thoughts about and images from the performance.
Joel Ross
Vibraphonist Joel Ross put on a spectacular performance this evening at the University of Chicago. Here are my thought about and images from the evening.
Columbus Day
I stop to photograph this year’s Columbus Day Parade on my way to my annual physical. The parade is a shadow of the one staged for Ferris Bueller’s Day Off; although the film did not identify the parade as the Columbus Day Parade. I ended up racing around so much that the doctor had to wait 20 minutes before taking my blood pressure because I was dripping with sweat when I arrived in his office—112/78.
Here are my thoughts about what I saw and the images I captured.
HPJF 2022 (Day 2)
The Sixteenth Annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival is held over two days. Here are my thoughts about and images from the second day.
HPJF 2022 (Day 1)
Day 1 of the Sixteenth Annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival was spectacular, with a wide variety of music to be heard. Here are my thoughts and some of the many images I captured.