Free Jazz in the Courtyard Hyde Park.
When: First Friday of every month, June – September, 2019
Where: Courtyard Shops at Hyde Park Shopping Center at 55th Street and Lake Park Avenue
Enjoy free jazz performances on the FIRST FRIDAY of every month in Hyde Park.
Friday, June 7
Bill McFarland and the Chicago Horns
With Hank Ford and Kenny Anderson
Bill McFarland, Hank Ford, Kenny Anderson
Award-winning trombonist/composer/arranger Bill McFarland leads The Chicago Horns – a miniaturization of the big band style of Art Blakey’s 1960’s Jazz Messengers – performing on June 7 at the Jazz in the Courtyard music series.
Of The Chicago Horns, Chicago Reader jazz critic Neil Tesser wrote, “You almost can’t go wrong with a lineup like Bill McFarland’s: a potent hard-driving outfit that matches his throaty trombone with a beef-stew saxophonist, Hank Ford, and a fluent, octave-stretching trumpet ace, Kenny Anderson.” The Chicago Tribune‘s Howard Reich adds, “This band’s taut rhythms, its front line’s muscular quality, and its rhythm section’s aggressiveness makes The Chicago Horns sound more like a small jazz symphony…”
Friday, July 5
Rhythms of Thunder
With drummers Charles Heath, Dana Hall & Jeremiah Collier
Chicago native, Charles “Rick” Heath IV is a versatile and renowned musician, educator, and producer, currently serving as drummer for piano jazz legend Ramsey Lewis. Performing with his band, Rhythms of Thunder, at the July 5 Jazz in the Courtyard music series, Heath joins with drummers Dana Hall and Jeremiah Collier for an unmatched sound and energy, guaranteed to move your body and soul. Heath is also the producer and founder of the not for profit Ken Chaney Scholarship Fund, organized to assist young jazz musicians attend jazz camps throughout the country, defray college tuition costs, and offer a free monthly mentorship jam session for young musicians and the community.
Charles Heath
Dana Hall
Jeremiah Collier
Friday, August 2
Victor Garcia Latin Jazz Band (Stuart Mindeman, Josh Ramos, Victor Gonzalez, Jose Monteajano)
Victor Garcia
Chicago native Victor Garcia (trumpet, percussion, vocals) joins with Stuart Mindeman (piano), Josh Ramos (bass), Victor Gonzalez (congas), and Jose Monteajano (timbales) for his August 2 date at the Jazz in the Courtyard music series.
Garcia began teaching himself to play the trumpet in high school, influenced by jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie, Clifford Brown, Charlie Parker, and Freddie Hubbard. He has performed with all the greats in salsa, jazz, rock, and R&B, and has recorded on dozens of albums as well, two of which garnered Grammy nominations in 2005 and 2008 (Angel Melendez & the 911 Mambo Orchestra and Sones de Mexico), and one which was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2007 (Sones de Mexico). He has taught at the Chicago Jesuit Academy and the Merit School of Music, and currently teaches at the Music Institute of Chicago, Loyola University, Roosevelt University, and University of Illinois at Chicago.
Friday, September 6
Dynamic Duo
Featuring Lynn Hilton & Margaret Murphy-Webb
The Dynamic Duo, scheduled for the September 6 Jazz in the Courtyard music series, includes Lynn Hilton and Margaret Murphy-Webb.
Hilton is a veteran musician and entertainer – equally at home performing live on stage, recording in the studio, or teaching kids in a workshop setting. A sought-after performer as both a pianist and vocalist, her versatile repertoire includes jazz, blues, Latin, gospel, and contemporary music. Hilton’s unique piano styling and keyboard arrangements, plus her extraordinary vocal power, range, and control have led her to collaborations with a variety of music luminaries.
Webb has been singing professionally throughout the United States and Europe for over thirty years. She developed her unique vocal style and showmanship under the tutelage of tenor saxophonist Von Freeman, performing together at the Taste of Chicago, The Chicago Jazz Festival, Andy’s, Pete Miller’s, Pops, The Jazz Showcase, and many other venues. Margaret has performed for former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and recently received the “Jazz Hero of Chicago for 2018” award from the Jazz Journalists of America for her work in producing and promoting free jazz programs in underserved areas of Chicago.
