Free Chicago Jazz Festival September 1-4

The Annual Chicago Jazz Festival returns to the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park and on the roof of the Harris Theater.

When: September 1-4, 2016
Where: Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park and Harris Theater FREE Admission

The festival kicks-off at the Chicago Cultural Center and the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park on Thursday, September 1; followed by three days of live jazz on up to four stages in Millennium Park and one stage on the rooftop of the Harris Theater. Cheap eats around Millennium Park. Guide to Millennium Park concerts.

The Chicago Jazz fest celebrates both the mainstream of the national jazz scene as well as Chicago’s unique contributions to the art form.

Schedule:

When: Thursday September 1, 2016
Where: Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Claudia Cassidy Theater

12 Noon–1pm – Dan Trudell Trio
1:30–2:30pm – Eric Schneider / Pat Mallinger Quintet
3-5:30pm – Charlie Haden – Rambling Boy (film + Q&A)

Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., Preston Bradley Hall

12:30–1:30pm – Mwata Bowden’s One Step In, One Step Out
2-3pm – Cameron Pififfner’s Adolphe’S AX
3:30-4:30pm – Louder Than A Bomb Presents: The Bomb Squad

Where: Millennium Park – Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St.

6:30-7:30pm – Brown in Bronzeville Effect with Maggie & Africa Brown
8-9pm – Orbert Davis’ Soul Migration Commissioned for the Great Black Migration Centennial Celebration.

When: Friday, September 2, 2016
Where: Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Von Freeman Pavilion (South Promenade)

12 Noon–12:55pm – James Sanders Proyecto Libre
1:10–2:05pm – Magic Carpet
2:20-3:15pm – Greg Rockingham Quartet
3:30–4:30pm – Brian Carpenter’s Ghost Train Orchestra

Where: Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Jazz and Heritage Pavilion (North Promenade)

12:30–1:30pm – John McLean: A tribute to Charlie Christian
2-3pm – Edwin Daugherty Sextet: Chicago legends; the music of Gene Ammons, Johnny Griffin and Eddie Harris
3:30–4:30pm – Pharez Whitted Quintet

Where: Millennium Park – Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St.

5–5:50pm – Brian OHern and the Model Citizens
6-6:55pm – Tarbaby featuring Nasheet Wait, Orrin Evans and Eric Reed with special guest Oliver Lake
7:10–8:10pm – Benny Golson Quartet
8:30–9:30pm – Charlie Haden’s Liberation Music Orchestra conducted by Carla Bley: For Charlie

When: Saturday, September 3, 2015

Where: Millennium Park – Chicago Community Trust Roof Top Jazz (Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace, 205 E. Randolph) COTC Note: The Harris Theater rooftop is never open to the public; it’s used for private parties so this is an opportunity to check it out.

11:30-12pm – Lenart Jazz Combo and Harold Washington Elementary School Jazz Combo
12:15-12:45 – Jones College Prep Jazz Combo
1-1:30pm – Whitney Young Magnet High School Jazz Combo
2-2:40pm – Curie High School Jazz Ensemble
2:55-3:35pm – Pritzker College Prep Jazz Ensemble
3:50-4:30pm – Kenwood Academy Jazz Ensemble

Where: Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Von Freeman Pavilion (South Promenade)

12 Noon–12:55pm – Steve Schneck Quartet
1:10–2:05pm – Alyssa Allgood Quintet
2:20–3:15pm – Chris Greene Quartet
3:30–4:30pm – Victor Garcia Organ Septet

Where: Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Jazz and Heritage Pavilion (North Promenade)

12:30–1:30pm – Luke Malewicz Heritage Quartet
2–3pm – Nate Lepine Quartet
3:30–4:30pm – JD Allen Trio

Where: Millennium Park – Jay Pritzker Pavilion

5–5:50pm – Tatsu Aoki’s MIYUMI Project featuring Tsukasa Taiko, Jon Jang & Francis Wong
6–6:55pm – Eric Alexander / Harold Mabern Quartet
7:10–8:10pm – Anat Cohen Quartet
8:30–9:30pm – The Bad Plus perform Ornette Coleman’s SCIENCE FICTION with Tim Berne, Ron Miles & Sam Newsome. This work was commissioned by Duke Performances at Duke University

When: Sunday, September 4, 2016

Where: Millennium Park – Chicago Community Trust Roof Top Jazz (Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace) COTC Note: The Harris Theater rooftop is never open to the public; it’s used for private parties so this is an opportunity to check it out.

11:30am-12:30pm – Alexis Lombre Quintet
12:50-1:50pm – Joel Ross’ Good Vibes
2:10-3:10pm – Hanging Hearts
3:30-4:30pm – Foster Meets Brooks Big Band

Where: Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., Von Freeman Pavilion (South Promenade)

12 Noon–12:55pm – Kendall Moore Octet
1:10–2:05pm – Charles Rumback Sextet
2:20–3:15pm – George Fludas Quartet
3:30–4:30pm – Barry Altschul’s 3Dom

Where: Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.Jazz and Heritage Pavilion (North Promenade)

12:30–1:30pm – Erwin Helfer Solo Piano
2–3pm – Norman Simmons Trio
3:30–4:30pm – Doreen’s Jazz New Orleans

Where: Millennium Park – Jay Pritzker Pavilion

5–5:50pm – Michael Zerang & The Blue Lights
6–6:55pm – Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
7:10–8:10pm – John Scofield / Joe Lovano Quartet
8:30-9:30pm – Candido Camero’s 95th Birthday Celebration featuring M.F. Production’s Latin Jazz All Stars Featuring: Candido Camero, Steve Turre, Nestor Torres, Sammy Figueroa, Frankie Figueroa, Elio Villa Franca, Yunior Terry, Diego Lopez, Jorge Castro and Guido Gonzalez