Chicago Jazz Fest...

[LouieB]

In recent years, the Chicago Jazz Fest, the first city sponsored event of it's type and now 30 years old (holy shit seems like only yesterday), has had some very weak moments but this year promises to be a return to form. I realize many here aren't into jazz, (although many are), mostly out of towners here are attracted to stuff like the Residency or Lollapalooza or Pitchfork or whatever (and rightly so), but this year it may be worth while for some of you to plan on this one as well.

 

Jazz Fest is free and the lineup this year includes two of the last of the greats, Sonny Rollins and Ornette Coleman, both for free (recently the opening show has been indoors and reserved seats at a high price.). It has been many years since two musicians of this stature have graced the stages of Grant Park and this is the first year a show is being done at the Pritzger instead of the inferior Petrillo. (Actually this may not be true.) Here is the press release and while it doesn't give the entire lineup, at least what it does say should create some excitment. Ed Wilkerson (of the AACM and 8 Bold Souls) is the artist in residence. Also the always good Dave Douglas has been commissioned to write a piece.

 

So anyway maybe we shall see a few of you for this one as well, if I survive another year of Pitchfork and the various other fests that promise to burn me out before fall comes.

 

LouieB

[Three dollars and 63 cents]

Sonny Rollins and Ornette Coleman for free? You Chicagoans are some lucky dogs.

[aricandover]

Sonny Rollins and Ornette Coleman? I'm all over this! thanks for the heads up, Lou.

[calvino]

When I heard about this line up, I was also very thrilled. I think only Rollins will be playing at the Pritzker, the rest will be at the shell.

 

LouieB, did you see Dave Douglas, playing with Roswell Rudd in 2004. They literately had to pull the plug on Rudd and the band because he would not stop playing. Rudd kept on playing after the power was cut as the roadies came on the stage. It was pretty funny and music was great. Steve Lacy just died a few months earlier, so the whole performance was inspired. This band with Rudd, was the last band Lacy played in before his death.

 

Earlier in that same evening at the Shell, Fred Anderson, Kidd Jordan, Hamiet Bluiett, Jeff Parker,Harrison Bankhead, & Hamid Drake, played a set and it was great see them on the big stage as well.

 

Anyway definitely looking forward to this year.

[jc4prez]

For the past for years I have moved on August 31. Last year it resulted in me and my roomates packing the moving truck, running downtown to catch MMW with Scofeild and then moving in to are knew apartment until 4 am. Looks like thats going to happen again this year, cant wait to see Ornette.

 

I hope they keep the fence down again this year.

[GtrPlyr]

Damn, that is a good bill. I might actually have to drive to Chicago for this.

[uncool2pillow]

Saw Sonny 9 years ago in Houston. He can still blow! I doubt I'll make it, but if you can, go!!

[WaronWar]

I am going to be there as long as I don't have a conflict. I'm guessing it's over labor day weekend.

 

Big thanks, Lou.

[LouieB]

When I heard about this line up, I was also very thrilled. I think only Rollins will be playing at the Pritzker, the rest will be at the shell.

 

LouieB, did you see Dave Douglas, playing with Roswell Rudd in 2004. They literately had to pull the plug on Rudd and the band because he would not stop playing. Rudd kept on playing after the power was cut as the roadies came on the stage. It was pretty funny and music was great. Steve Lacy just died a few months earlier, so the whole performance was inspired. This band with Rudd, was the last band Lacy played in before his death.

 

Earlier in that same evening at the Shell, Fred Anderson, Kidd Jordan, Hamiet Bluiett, Jeff Parker,Harrison Bankhead, & Hamid Drake, played a set and it was great see them on the big stage as well.

 

Anyway definitely looking forward to this year.

You are correct only Rollins as at the Pritzker but at least that is a start. It should be mobbed however.

 

Sadly I did not see the set (or the program) you described from 04. I did see Rudd play with the Monksieland Band which was great another set and I did see Dave Douglas play with John Zorn a few years before this which was also amazing. The Fred Anderson, Parker, Drake, etc set must have been great.

 

I don't want it to sound like there is not good stuff at jazzfest even on off years (every year has produced some memories) but for a change they popped for some big names. Frankly I think it is getting harder and harder to find new stuff to present (it feels like Dee Dee Bridgewater appears every year). I am waiting for the year they bring Hancock and Shorter to the masses instead of Orchestra Hall.

 

 

LouieB

[calvino]

You are correct only Rollins as at the Pritzker but at least that is a start. It should be mobbed however.

 

Sadly I did not see the set (or the program) you described from 04. I did see Rudd play with the Monksieland Band which was great another set and I did see Dave Douglas play with John Zorn a few years before this which was also amazing. The Fred Anderson, Parker, Drake, etc set must have been great.

 

I don't want it to sound like there is not good stuff at jazzfest even on off years (every year has produced some memories) but for a change they popped for some big names. Frankly I think it is getting harder and harder to find new stuff to present (it feels like Dee Dee Bridgewater appears every year). I am waiting for the year they bring Hancock and Shorter to the masses instead of Orchestra Hall.

 

 

LouieB

 

When you saw Masada was it at Mandel Hall? I caught that show. That was only time I saw Zorn play. That night was indeed great, esp. the Q and A, though the band seemed uncomfortable, is was informative, from stand point of writing and performing.

 

And for the record, I didn't think you were slamming the Jazz Fest. Some years are definitely underwhelming, but the price is always right -- free.

 

Writing this while watching the DNC Rules & Bylaws Meeting, I guess, made me write 'for the record'

[LouieB]

When you saw Masada was it at Mandel Hall? I caught that show. That was only time I saw Zorn play. That night was indeed great, esp. the Q and A, though the band seemed uncomfortable, is was informative, from stand point of writing and performing.

 

And for the record, I didn't think you were slamming the Jazz Fest. Some years are definitely underwhelming, but the price is always right -- free.

The Masada show I saw was at the Petrillo. It had many patrons running for the back (including a friend or two of mine.) It was several years ago, maybe going on 8 or so now. Zorn had not played in Chicago in a long time.

 

Slamming the jazz fest is easy, but the price is always right as you point out. I don't even mind seeing it at Petrillo and I always try to go to as much as I can, which is clearly not every show. In fact all the free fests offer something, including the blues, gospel, celtic, etc. They are wonderful. The best part about the set up for jazz fest is that they finally took down the barriers. I guess they figured jazz fans wouldn't get out of control. I don't know what the setup will be for Rollins, who will be a popular attraction, but I hope it is mellow and not too difficult. Coleman on the other hand shouldn't attract too big a crowd despite his age and importance. If he does the crowd will thin in the same way it did the years (different years) I saw both Cecil Taylor and Sun Ra.

 

To those who have not gone before, don't forget there is cool stuff in the afternoon at the side stages. I have seen great stuff there too (Eddie Palmieri with his complete band was a highlight). Sometimes the stuff verges a bit on loungey but it is a nice way to spend a cheap summer afternoon with little hassle. And there may be a free indoor show at the Cultural Center. Skipping the paid shows isn't ever a problem because so much cool free shit happens.

 

LouieB