Jan 13, 2026 2:09 PM
More Trump-Kennedy Center Cancellations
The fallout from the renaming of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to include President Donald…
As part of the Chicago Jazz Festival, Grammy-winning singer Cécile McLorin Salvant will perform at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park on Aug. 31 at 7:45 p.m.
(Photo: Mark Fitton)A parade of stars will perform at this year’s Chicago Jazz Festival (scheduled for Aug. 23–Sept. 1), including singer Cécile McLorin Salvant, bassist Christian McBride, pianist Eddie Palmieri, trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, drummer Antonio Sánchez, alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón and the Art Ensemble of Chicago, featuring multi-instrumentalist Roscoe Mitchell.
The free festival will present performances at Millennium Park, the Chicago Cultural Center and at other venues throughout the city.
Other artists scheduled for the 41st annual edition of the festival include saxophonists Melissa Aldana, Ben Wendel and Dave Rempis, vibraphonist Joel Ross, guitarist Camila Meza and pianists David Virelles and Ryan Cohan.
Freddy Cole will give a special tribute performance on Aug. 29 to celebrate the centennial of his older brother, Nat “King” Cole (1919–’65).
On Aug. 30, two Chicago veterans will share the stage: jazz guitarist George Freeman and blues singer and harmonica player Billy Branch.
The Latino–America Unida concert on Sept. 1 will feature an all-star band with Aldana, Sánchez, Virelles and Zenón.
The festival is produced by the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, and it is programmed by the Jazz Institute of Chicago, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019. Among the goals of the Jazz Institute of Chicago are to deliver educational programs, support musicians, build audiences and foster a thriving jazz scene in Chicago through public programs.
On Aug. 29 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, musicians will perform The City Was Yellow as a tribute to the Jazz Institute of Chicago. Among the performers will be drummer Mike Reed, cornetist Rob Mazurek, flutist Nicole Mitchell and guitarist Jeff Parker.
Additional lineup information will be announced in the coming weeks. For a detailed schedule of headline performances and other info, visit the festival’s website.
For info on the Jazz Institute of Chicago, visit its website. DB
Belá Fleck during an interview with Fredrika Whitfield on CNN.
Jan 13, 2026 2:09 PM
The fallout from the renaming of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to include President Donald…
Peplowski first came to prominence in legacy swing bands, including the final iteration of the Benny Goodman Orchestra, before beginning a solo career in the late 1980s.
Feb 3, 2026 12:10 AM
Ken Peplowski, a clarinetist and tenor saxophonist who straddled the worlds of traditional and modern jazz, died Feb. 2…
The success of Oregon’s first album, 1971’s Music Of Another Present Era, allowed Towner to establish a solo career.
Jan 19, 2026 5:02 PM
Ralph Towner, a guitarist and composer who blended multiple genres, including jazz — and throughout them all remained…
Rico’s Anti-Microbial Instrument Swab
Jan 19, 2026 2:48 PM
With this year’s NAMM Show right around the corner, we can look forward to plenty of new and innovative instruments…
Richie Beirach was particularly renowned for his approach to chromatic harmony, which he used to improvise reharmonizations of originals and standards.
Jan 27, 2026 11:19 AM
Richie Beirach, a pianist and composer who channeled a knowledge of modern classical music into his jazz practice,…
