Joe Segal with Dizzy Gillespie © Marc Pokempner

Pianist Junior Mance will help Chicagoans celebrate the reopening of the Showcase, performing June 12-15. Other scheduled performances include:

•  Monty Alexander, June 19-22
• Eliane Elias, June 26-29
• Charles McPherson with Ron Perillo, July 3-6
• Eric Alexander, July 10-13
• John Abercrombie with Eric Schneider, July 18-20

Although the Showcase was closed for over a year, owner Joe Segal was hardly idle, hosting the annual Jazz Party at Sea. But of course it is the legacy of nearly nightly live jazz on the Showcase stage that made Segal a legend and has helped Chicago maintain its reputation as one of the nation’s premiere jazz centers. On the order of the Village Vanguard in Manhattan, but with a lot more legroom and full service bar, the Jazz Showcase has been housed in two locations prior to the move to Dearborn Station. First ensconced in the Blackstone Hotel, the club moved in the mid-90s to West Grand Avenue.

Perhaps my favorite memory of the Showcase was my most recent visit in the winter of 2006. We had reservations for a 4 pm Sunday matinee of the Kenny Barron Trio with Buster Williams and Ben Riley. It was the end of a week-long run, and there were two evening sets scheduled as well. It was a cold afternoon, and we were among a total of 7 in the audience—maybe the only time I was ever at the Showcase when there were seats available at showtime. We sat in the front row, just to the right of the piano, practically sharing the bench with Barron. This is what is meant by an intimate space! I’m eager to return to Chicago soon, reserve a Sunday afternoon performance, and hope for bad weather again. Most of all, though, I look forward to many visits to Chicago, to hear the musicians that don’t venture far off the path from New York to LA.

Check the Jazz Showcase website for updated information at www.jazzshowcase.com or call (312) 360-0234.