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.
All in Musicians
Southern Soul at Logan
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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.
Venezuelan Election
We have a new ‘heritage’ group demonstrating in the streets of the Chicago: members of Chicago’s recently arrived Venezuelan Community. They took to the downtown streets today to celebrate what they hoped would be the defeat of Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro in today’s election. Here are my thoughts about and images from this colorful demonstration.
Bluesfest 2024--Day 3
The 40th Annual Chicago Bluesfest came to a conclusion today with a closing performance by Buddy Guy, a Blues legend. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day.
Bluesfest 2024--Day 2
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.
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.
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.
Eric Alexander
Late Sunday afternoon, I caught Eric Alexander’s set at Chicago’s famed Jazz Showcase. Here are my thoughts about and images from Alexander’s performance.
Greg and Fred
Saturday night I stopped by Mike Reed’s Constellation Chicago to hear alto saxophonist Greg Ward pay tribute to the great Fred Anderson. Here are my thoughts about and images from the performance.
Winter JazzFest
On February 23, 2024, the Jazz Institute of Chicago held its Winter Jazz Fair at the Chicago Cultural Center. The day-long festival provided a welcome and much needed relief from the Winter blahs. Here are my thoughts about and images from the day.
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.
The Electric Hippo
On November 3, 2023, Theon Cross brought his electrified tuba to the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. It was quite a night of innovative jazz fusion, with some hip hop added to the voodoo. Here are my thoughts about and images from the evening’s performance.
Ben Wendel
On October 21, 2023, tenor saxophonist Ben Wendel brought his quintet to the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, together with visual artist Xuan. 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.