Mar 2, 2026 9:58 PM
In Memoriam: John Hammond Jr., 1942–2026
John P. Hammond (aka John Hammond Jr.), a blues guitarist and singer who was one of the first white American…
The 2008 JVC Jazz Festival Chicago will run July 18–20, showcasing members of the local Chicago jazz scene and jazz musicians from around the country. The festival will take place at five music venues around the city, including the recently reopened Jazz Showcase.
Notable performances include the John Abercrombie Organ Trio with Chicago saxophonist Eric Schneider, the Corey Wilkes Quartet and “Three Generations of Chicago Tenors,” a showcase of Chicago saxophonists Von Freeman, Ari Brown and Frank Catalano . The festival will kick off on July 18 with a performance by Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo at the House of Blues.
“This year’s festival is a true one-of-a-kind event, pairing Chicago-area greats and nationally known jazz giants,” said Tom Shepard, CEO of Festival Network. “We’re proud to add to Chicago jazz history with these unique collaborations that are sure to excite jazz fans.”
More info: festivalnetwork.com
Hammond came to the blues through the folk boom of the late 1950s and early 1960s, which he experienced firsthand in New York’s Greenwich Village.
Mar 2, 2026 9:58 PM
John P. Hammond (aka John Hammond Jr.), a blues guitarist and singer who was one of the first white American…
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