--Chicago Tribune

Astral Project © Howard A. Gitelson

Melding funky grooves, exotic original melodies and creative improvisation, Astral Project features four of Crescent City’s top musicians, each an acclaimed artist in his own right— saxophonist/founder Tony Dagradi, guitarist Steve Masakowski, bassist James Singleton and drummer John Vidacovich. All but Masakowski have been with the group since day 1. Yet individually, their professional commitments run deeper than one band.

Jason Marsalis

Jason is part of the famous New Orleans jazz tradition, which has created innumerable legendary drummers, such as Warren “Baby” Dodds, Ed Blackwell, James Black and Herlin Riley. He also belongs to a renowned musical family; his father Ellis and older brothers Wynton, Branford, and Delfeayo have dramatically influenced the jazz world for almost two decades and Jason is no exception, possessing the technical virtuosity, innate rhythmic aplomb and the compositional ingenuity associated with his forbearers. But deep roots haven’t prevented him from also developing a refreshingly progressive approach, fueled by eclectic influences (he’s just a likely to reference Igor Stravinsky, Tito Puente and Billy Cobham as Max Roach and Art Blakey) and diverse professional associations in his native New Orleans.

Von Freeman

Complete 31st Annual Chicago Jazz Festival Schedule follows:

Willie Pickens

On Thursday, August 27th from  6:30pm - 8:30pm at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park, you can witness a display of dueling pianos that reveals the full spectrum of the modern jazz piano tradition.  At one end ot the spectrum, Willie Pickens strong hands show why they were an irresistible inspiration to one of the world's greatest drummers, Elvin Jones.  In contrast to Pickens' emphatic style and complex melodies are the lighter, more modern tones adopted by Ron Perrillo.  His approach pulls from popular music and demonstrates the movement forward into a new era of jazz.  This free concert features Willie Pickens on piano; Donald Harrison on saxophones; Ron Perrillo composer and on piano; Kobie Watkins on drums; Edwin Bayard on saxophones; Pat Mallinger on Native American Flute; Pharez Whitted on trumpet, flugelhorn; Tom Garling on trombone; and Dennis Carroll on contrabass, electric bass.