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 Musicians
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.
Charles Lloyd
This evening I attended Charles Lloyd’s terrific concert at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. Here are my thoughts and images from the evening.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
Chicago Jazzfest--Day 2
The Art Ensemble of Chicago closed Day 2 of the 2019 Chicago Jazz Festival with an exuberant performance that features somewhere around 20 musicians. Preceding them on the main stage, were George Freeman and Billy Branch, vibist Joel Ross, and trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire. Earlier in the day, Chicago vocalist Dee Alexander performed with the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, and Rob Mazurek played a set of relatively free jazz.
Chicago Jazzfest--Day 1
Freddy Cole pays tribute to his brother Nat King Cole on the first day of the 2019 Chicago Jazz Festival.
Paul Butterfield
Click on the image to enlarge the image and for Jack Siegel’s commentary and additional images
Marquis Hill
Click on the photograph to enlarge it, and for Jack B. Siegel’s photographs and commentary.