Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
In Memoriam: James Blood Ulmer, 1940–2026
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
Vocalist Dianne Reeves is set to headline a Friday, Aug. 31 show at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion as part of the 40th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival.
(Photo: Jerris Madison)
The Chicago Jazz Festival, which is set to run Aug. 29 through Sept. 2, is marking its 40th anniversary with a spate of concerts that include performances by international and local luminaries.
Celebrations of AACM and Muhal Richard Abrams are to be interspersed with sets from folks like Matthew Shipp, Kenny Barron, Dianne Reeves, Chris Speed, Nicole Mitchell, Kurt Elling, Greg Ward and dozens of others. The events, which all are centered around Millennium Park in Chicago’s downtown area, are free and open to the public.
For additional information about the events, visit the Chicago Jazz Festival homepage. DB
Wednesday, Aug. 29
Jay Pritzker Pavilion 6:30-9 p.m. - Orbert Davis’ Chicago Jazz Philharmonic: Legends and Lions
Thursday, Aug. 30
Chicago Cultural Center, Claudia Cassidy Theater
11 a.m.–Noon - Mindeman/Hall/Sommers Trio, in collaboration with the Jazz Record Art Collective
12:15–1:15 p.m. - Great Black Music Ensemble, in collaboration with AACM
1:45–2:45 p.m. - Jazz Beat/The Intersection of Jazz and Hip Hop, in collaboration with Young Chicago Authors and the Jazz Institute of Chicago
3:15–4:15 p.m. - Miyumi Project Sextet, in collaboration with Asian Improv
Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall
11 a.m.-12 p.m. - What Is This Thing called Jazz? Ernie Adams: Insights on Improvisation
12:30–1:30 p.m. - Carmen Stokes Quartet, in collaboration with the South Side Jazz Coalition
2–3 p.m. - Paul Giallorenzo Trio, in collaboration with the Elastic Arts Foundation
3:30–4:30 p.m. - Chicago Cellar Boys, in collaboration with the Iliana Club of Traditional Jazz
Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion
5 p.m. - Second-line Procession led by Mystick Krewe of Laff featuring the Big Shoulders Brass Band (starts at the west side of the Great Lawn)
5:25–6:15 p.m. - Geof Bradfield Nonet
6:30–7:25 p.m. - Nicole Mitchell and Mandorla Awakening
7:45–9 p.m. - Kurt Elling featuring Marquis Hill and Jeff “Tain” Watts
Friday, Aug. 31
Von Freeman Pavilion (Chase Promenade South)
11:30 a.m.–12:25 p.m. - Junius Paul Quartet
12:40–1:35 p.m. - Quin Kirchner Group
1:50–2:45 p.m. - Chris Speed Trio
3–4 p.m. - Greg Ward and 10 Tongues
Jazz and Heritage Pavilion (Chase Promenade North)
Noon–1 p.m. - Gayle Kolb Sextet
1:30–2:30 p.m. - Roy McGrath Remembranzas Quintet
3–4 p.m. - Million Brazilan Project featuring Sarah Marie Young and Guy King
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:45 p.m. - Second-line Procession led by Mystick Krewe of Laff featuring the Big Shoulders Brass Band (starts at the west side of the Great Lawn)
4:15–5:05 p.m. - Tribute to Dr. Muhal Richard Abrams
5:25–6:15 p.m. - Sabertooth Organ Quartet 25th Anniversary
6:30–7:25 p.m. - Louis Hayes Quintet: “Seranade for Horace”
7:45–9 p.m. - Dianne Reeves
Saturday, Sept. 1
Young Jazz Lions (Harris Rooftop)
11–11:30 a.m. - ChiArts Jazz Combo
11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. - Morgan Park High School Jazz Combo
12:30–1 p.m. - CYSO Jazz Combo
1:15–1:55 p.m. - Eric Solorio High School Jazz Ensemble
2:10–2:50 p.m. - Whitney Young High School Jazz Ensemble
3:05–3:45 p.m. - Kenwood Academy Jazz Band
Von Freeman Pavilion (Chase Promenade South)
11:30 a.m.–12:25 p.m. - Black Diamond
12:40–1:35 p.m. - Dustin Laurenzi and Natural Language
1:50–2:45 p.m. - Matthew Shipp and Ivo Perelman
3–4 p.m. - Amina Claudine Myers Trio
Jazz and Heritage Pavilion (Chase Promenade North)
Noon–1 p.m. - Bruce Henry
1:30–2:30 p.m. - The Chuck Webb Band featuring Margaret Murphy
3–4 p.m. - Nolatet
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:45 p.m. - Second-line Procession led by Mystick Krewe of Laff featuring the Big Shoulders Brass Band (starts at the west side of the Great Lawn)
4:15–5:05 p.m. - Tribute to Willie Pickens
5:25–6:10 p.m. - Kenny Barron Quintet
6:25–7:25 p.m. - Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society
7:45–9 p.m. - Ramsey Lewis
Sunday, Sept. 2
NextGenJazz (Harris Rooftop)
11:15 a.m.-Noon - Derek Duleba Quartet
12:15-1 p.m. - Cesar Martinez’s Cuicatl
1:15-2 p.m. - Morgan Pirtle+5
2:15-3 p.m. - Greg Uhlmann’s Typical Sisters
3:15-4 p.m. - Jahari Stampley Ensemble
Von Freeman Pavilion (Chase Promenade South)
11:30 a.m.–12:25 p.m. - Tribute to John Wright
12:40–1:35 p.m. - Jaimie Branch’s Fly or Die
1:50–2:45 p.m. - Jason Stein Quartet
3–4 p.m. - Eric Revis Quartet featuring Ken Vandermark
Jazz and Heritage Pavilion (Chase Promenade North)
Noon–1 p.m. - Quentin Coaxum Quintet
1:30–2:30 p.m. - Alejandro Urzagaste’s Flow featuring Bill Carrothers
3–4 p.m. - Fareed Haque and his Funk Brothers
Jay Pritzker Pavilion
3:45 p.m. - Second-line Procession led by Mystick Krewe of Laff featuring the Big Shoulders Brass Band (starts at the west side of the Great Lawn)
4:15–5:05 p.m. - Matt Ulery’s Loom Large
5:25–6:10 p.m. - Arturo O’Farrill Sextet
6:25–7:25 p.m. - Charles McPherson-Barry Harris Quartet
7:45–9 p.m. - Maceo Parker
To the world, James Blood Ulmer was a legend, a visionary and a musical force whose sound was distinctive and unique. To his family, he was their teacher, their storyteller and a source of strength.
Jun 9, 2026 10:54 AM
With deep sorrow and profound love, we announce the passing of James Blood Ulmer, a boldly innovative guitarist,…
Clockwise from top left, Mary Halvorson, Patricia Brennan, Adam O’Farrill, Keith Jarrett’s At the Deer Head Inn: The Complete Recordings, Sheila Jordan and Jaki Byard.
Jul 16, 2026 1:34 PM
The DownBeat Critics Poll never ceases to amaze! And the 74th Edition offered plenty of accolades for poll veterans and…
Ibrahim was an early jazz acolyte, studying the music via 78s he would buy from soldiers stationed in South Africa — who also gave him the nickname “Dollar.”
Jun 30, 2026 3:19 PM
Pianist Abdullah Ibrahim, the NEA Jazz Master from South Africa who helped fuse the folk music of his home country with…
A drummer’s drummer, Rodney Holmes gigged with everyone from Joe Zawinul and Carlos Santana to Steve Kimock and the Brecker Brothers.
Jul 22, 2026 12:37 PM
Drummer Rodney Holmes, a powerful presence behind the kit who emerged as an in-demand player on the New York scene…
“There was something about her tone and sound and phrasing — an intimacy, a vulnerability, an honesty,” says Joshua Redman, who produced Cavassa’s record after she toured with his band.
Jun 16, 2026 1:27 AM
Gabrielle Cavassa is an avowed perfectionist. So when she failed to place despite becoming a finalist in the 2018 Sarah…
