May 26, 2026 11:08 AM
Sonny Rollins Passes Away at 95
Sonny Rollins, the iconic saxophonist, composer and improviser whose career stretched from the origins of bebop to 21st…
The ninth annual Empty Bottle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music is scheduled to kick off on Wednesday, June 16 with a free performance. The following three days have a $15 cover.
The lineup for the festival includes:
June 15: Chicago Ad Hoc: A first time meeting of 10 performers featuring an amalgam of instrumental combinations ranging from brass to reeds to electronics to strings.
June 16: Peter Brotzmann and Nasheet Waits; Davey Williams with Jim Baker & Tim Daisy; The Rempis Percussion Ensemble; and a surprise set.
June 17: Ken Vandermark with Torsten Muller, Paul Rutherford, & Dylan Van Der Schyff; Peter Brotzmann, Kent Kessler, Paul Rutherford, & Nasheet Waits; The Tatsu Aoki, Ed Wilkerson Jr., Michael Zerang Trio; and a surprise set.
June 18: Sam Rivers; The Robert Barry, Paul Rutherford Duo; The Fred Lonberg-Holm Trio; Relay Signals featuring Jason Ajemian, Zoe Buck, Tim Daisy, Ernst Karel, and Aram Shelton.
For more details, go to www.emptybottle.com.
Onstage, Rollins would move about restlessly, thrusting his tenor sax in the air as he blew.
May 26, 2026 11:08 AM
Sonny Rollins, the iconic saxophonist, composer and improviser whose career stretched from the origins of bebop to 21st…
Cécile McLorin Salvant busts out Jelly Roll Morton’s “The Murder Ballad” at Big Ears, here with pianist Sullivan Fortner.
Apr 7, 2026 1:21 PM
There’s pluralism, then there’s PLURALISM! — and then there’s Big Ears. Thurston Moore, who participated in…
“We thought it’s important that Ronin has a new statement,” said Nik Bärtsch of his band’s latest album, Spin. “The sound is differently produced, so it reflects more of who we are.”
Apr 21, 2026 10:00 AM
Nik Bärtsch cuts an imposing figure on stage. He’s unmistakable with his soul patch, shaven head and black attire.…
Dave King (left) and Reid Anderson offer insights into why The Bad Plus’ chemistry was cool, the accomplishments many and its longevity so fruitful.
May 12, 2026 11:42 AM
The scene still sticks with me. I had heard the oddball name of this new group being dropped around town, and…
Ava Preston, a 12-time DownBeat Student Music Award winner, is currently pursuing her master’s degree in jazz voice at Juilliard.
May 12, 2026 10:00 AM
Ava Preston, from Cleveland, Ohio, was named the winner of the ninth annual Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition on…
