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.
All in Performance
1000 Days
Last Sunday, following the Ukrainian demonstration outside the Wrigley Building, members of Chicago’s Russian Community marked the 1000th day Russian dissident Alexei Navalny’s captivity at the hands of Vladimir Putin. Here are my thoughts about and images from this demonstration.
Taking It to the Street
No surprise here: Chicago’s Palestinian Community was out again last night. I covered the demonstration, so here are my thoughts about it and my images.
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.
"Putin Is a Killer"
Vladimir Putin made a surprise appearance on Chicago’s Michigan Avenue today. The Russian community was holding a demonstration to commemorate the third anniversary of Putin’s assassination attempt on the life of Alexei Navalny. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
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
World Refugee Day
Chicago paid homage to World Refugee Day with a noon-time celebration in Daley Plaza. Unfortunately, the event was poorly attended, which is too bad. Here are my brief thoughts and some images from the festivities.
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.
May Day
On Saturday, i attended a early May Day celebration in Chicago’s Union Park on the near Westside. It rained early on, but the demonstrators were still spirited. Here are my thoughts on and images from the rally and march.
Mifepristone
Today I attended an abortion-rights march organized by Rise Up 4 Abortion Rights. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
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.
Charlie Kirk
Tonight I headed to the UIC Campus for a student demonstration opposing Far Right Firebrand Charlie Kirk’s and his right to speak. Here are my thoughts about and images from the demonstration.
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.
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.