Oct 17, 2023 3:36 PM
Carla Bley, Provocative Composer-Pianist, Dies at Age 87
With her iconic bangs, sharp features and free-flowing sense of the absurd, Carla Bley, who died Oct. 17 of brain…
Nicole Mitchell will take part in a virtual performance as part of the Jazz Institute of Chicago’s Birthday Bash, which runs June 28-30.
(Photo: Kristi Sutton Elias)For 50 years, the Jazz Institute of Chicago has helped spark the city’s innovative music scene. And to celebrate that milestone, the nonprofit organization’s holding its Birthday Bash, a series of free events, June 28-30.
Among the festivities set to be held at various Southside spaces—Connect Gallery, The Promontory and the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts—is a premiere of a new commissioned work; a performance by the Makaya McCraven Quintet on June 28; Joan Collaso performing as part of a tribute to Nina Simone on June 29; a collaborative effort on June 29 making use of video and prerecorded performances by Nicole Mitchell; a screening of the 1985 Ornette Coleman documenatry Ornette: Made In America on June 30; and a set by the Orbert Davis Sextet on June 30.
Discussions, sets by younger players and programming for families and children also are planned for the Birthday Bash.
“We are very much committed to celebrating our robust history while keeping our eye on the future,” said Heather Ireland Robinson, JIC executive director. “We continue to nurture and promote jazz citywide through education programs that support all aspects of a young artist’s career and musicianship, as well as free public programming in city parks, and of course programming the Chicago Jazz Festival. We believe in building bridges by creating programs in neighborhoods and presenting music where people of all ages live, work and play.”
For additional information about the events and JIC, visit the organization’s website. DB
Bley told DownBeat in 1984: “I’m just a composer, and I use jazz musicians because they’re smarter, and they can save your ass in a bad situation. … I need all the help I can get.”
Oct 17, 2023 3:36 PM
With her iconic bangs, sharp features and free-flowing sense of the absurd, Carla Bley, who died Oct. 17 of brain…
Nov 22, 2023 12:33 PM
Samara Joy’s Linger Awhile topped a daunting list of amazing music.
Samara Joy, Linger Awhile (VERVE) … 1,910
…
“Blue Note music has been such an integral part of my musical and life experience for so long,” says Redman. “It’s surreal to be a part of this lineage.”
Oct 10, 2023 1:13 PM
“It just occurred to me just the other day,” said Joshua Redman, a bemused expression forming over his face on the…
Bennett had a wealth of material to draw upon, and he had a direct association with much of it.
Oct 31, 2023 1:50 PM
Perhaps no interpreter of American popular song had as long and distinguished a career as Tony Bennett. Yet in his…
The 66th GRAMMY Awards will air live (8–11:30 p.m. ET) on Feb. 4 on CBS Television and stream on Paramount+.
Nov 14, 2023 11:05 AM
The Recording Academy has officially revealed the nominations for the 2024 Grammys, which will take place Feb. 4 at…
