Free Millennium Park Summer Music Series

Free Millennium Park Summer Music Series features a wide variety of genre-defying music from top local, national and international artists – both established and emerging.

Where: Millennium Park, Jay Pritzker Pavilion, 201 E. Randolph St.
When: June 13–August 15, 2019 Select Mondays and Thursdays 6:30PM-8:30PM

Millennium Park Concerts Fridays and Saturdays

Millennium Park Concerts Wednesdays

Schedule (schedule of performers is subject to change):

Thursday, July 18, 6:30pm

Orchestral Interpretations of J Dilla–Directed by Miguel Atwood-Ferguson

Multi-instrumentalist, arranger, composer, music director, producer, DJ and educator Miguel Atwood-Ferguson will direct a re-envision of the music of Jay Dee (J Dilla). The performances will feature the composed and conducted historic “Suite for Ma Dukes” in tribute to the transcendent modern hip hop producer J Dilla.

Kenny Keys

Chicago native Kenny Keys is a keyboardist, pianist, composer, producer, session musician and teacher of music. Following his 2016 debut Everything Must Change, a mellow instrumental hip hop and jazz-infused albumb, he has co-produced the 2018 digital album entitled Corinthian Cadillac with LA-based platinum-selling producer J. Kelr (Blended Babies).

Thursday, July 25, 6:30pm

Los Amigos Invisibles

The performance-oriented Venezuelan dance band, Los Amigos Invisibles plays a blend of disco, acid jazz and funk mixed with Latin rhythms. In addition to releasing eleven critically-acclaimed albums, including the 2009 GRAMMY^® Award-winning Commercial, the band is lauded internationally for their explosive live shows reaching nearly 60 countries.

City of the Sun

Formed in 2011, City of the Sun flips the perception of instrumental music, attracting a whole new generation to the genre The powerhouse trio, featuring guitarists John Pita, Avi Snow and percussionist Zach Para, has been called worldly, cinematic, a mix between Rodrigo y Gabriela and Explosions in the Sky.

Monday, July 29, 6:30pm

Rev. Sekou

Rev. Sekou’s music is a unique combination of North Mississippi hill country music, Arkansas delta blues, Memphis soul and pentecostal steel guitar. The noted activist, theologian, author, documentary filmmaker and musician released the 2017 album In Times LikeThese, including the modern Civil Rights anthem “We Comin’.”

Cha Wa

New Orleans brass band-meets-Mardi Gras Indian funk band Cha Wa radiates the firery energy of their city’s street culture. In 2019, the band received a GRAMMY® nomination and last year, the band, whose name “cha wa” means “we’re comin’ for ya” in Indian vernacular, released their sophomore album Spyboy – a combination of ‘70s funk rhythm, right horn parts and deep, bouncing sousaphone.

Monday, August 5, 6:30pm

Love Love Love – Chicago Celebrates the Music of Donny Hathaway

The great R&B, soul music master Donny Hathaway will be celebrated in a showcase performed by Chicago artist under the musical direction of Corey Wilkes. Named the 49^th greatest singer of all time in a 2010 list published by Rolling Stone, Donny Hathaway is foundational to American soul music, with enduring songs like “The Ghetto” and ‘Where is the Love.” His influence can be heard in contemporary artists from R&B to hip hop to jazz.

Thursday, August 15, 6:30pm

Jupiter & Okwess

Jupiter & Okwess’ musical expression spans from East Berlin (where Jupiter grew up) to the Congo with hints of James Brown and the dominant Congolese rumba style. The band’s second album Kin Sonic transcends the Congo’s unexplored musical heritage and dives into a pool of modern sounds.

Noura Mint Seymali

Noura Mint Seymali is a nationally beloved star in Mauritania and one of the foremost emissaries of modern Moorish music. Touring notable festivals and esteemed venues throughout the world, the griot vocalist and ardine (a type of harp) master merges the ancient musical traditions of Saharan and West Africa with a powerful, contemporary voice.