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"Jazz is probably the best music for worship, because it speaks to the existential situation of a human being." - Rev. John Garcia Gensel (Sheperd of the Night Flock). |
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 Thursday, 08 January 2009 |
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30th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival Headlines Sonny Rollins and Ornette Coleman, August 28-31 |
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Written by Administrator
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Monday, 28 July 2008 |
 Sonny Rollins
The Chicago Jazz Festival, the city of Chicago's longest running music festival, announces headliners Sonny Rollins and Ornette Coleman for the 30th Annual event, August 28-31, 2008. What was born from concerts to remember jazz greats Duke Ellington and John Coltrane, has turned into an annual celebration of jazz music that is not to be missed. This Labor Day weekend tradition begins with a free evening concert at Millennium Park's Jay Pritzker Pavilion on August 28, and then moves to Grant Park for three days of free music, August 29-31.
What better way to begin the celebration of 30 years of jazz than with two-time GRAMMY Award winner and 2004 GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Sonny Rollins. Rollins officially opens The Chicago Jazz Festival on August 28 at 6:30 p.m. at a new location, the world-renowned Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Rollins is one of the last of the originals-a running mate of Miles Davis, Clifford Jordan and Max Roach, he was among the inventors of the language of Bebop. Rollins emerged from shedding time in Chicago in the 50s with a signature sound that has astounded audiences and inspired countless musicians for over 50 years.
The Chicago Jazz Festival then moves to Grant Park, August 29-31, for three stages of free music, activities and more from 11:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily. This year's Artist-in-Residence is Chicago-based composer, arranger, musician and educator, Edward Wilkerson, Jr. As a composer, Wilkerson has been highly inspired by the music of Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus, as a reed player his sound takes flight from Coleman Hawkins. Like many Chicago reed players you can hear the whole history of jazz in his ideas. Known for founding the cutting edge 8 Bold Souls (with whom he performs on Sunday evening at the Petrillo Music Shell), Wilkerson kicks-off the music at 12 noon at the Jazz on Jackson Stage on Friday, August 29.
 Ornette Colman © Jimmy Katz
In celebration of the 30th Annual event, Gerald Wilson, T.S. Galloway, Vijay Iyer and Dave Douglas have each been commissioned by the Chicago Jazz Festival to create a piece in honor of the milestone anniversary. In addition to this year's incredible line-up of Chicago's and the world's greatest jazz musicians, the Chicago Jazz Festival features an art fair located in the rose garden between Jackson Blvd. and Buckingham Fountain, Chicago's world famous restaurants will offer delights and beer and soda vendors will have thirst quenchers onsite. As always, the entire family can enjoy jazz at all of the stages and a new kid's activity area will be making its debut this year.
 Dee Dee Bridgewater and Mamani Keita © John Whiting.jpg
The four day festival is the centerpiece of seven days of jazz activities beginning with Monday's Made in Chicago closing concert in Millennium Park, Tuesday's Jazz Institute 40th Birthday gala concert and Wednesday's Jazz Club Tour.
The Chicago Jazz Festival is produced by the Mayor's Office of Special Events and programmed with the Jazz Institute of Chicago. Current sponsors include the Chicago Transit Authority, Chicago Tribune, CLTV-Chicagoland's Television, Comcast, Communications Direct, DownBeat Magazine, Hinckley Springs, Jazz Times Magazine, National City, Pepsi Cola, TAVA and WGN-Television.
Full schedule follows: Thursday, August 28: Millennium Park – Pritzker Pavilion
6:30 p.m. Sonny Rollins Friday, August 29th:
Jazz on Jackson Jazz & Heritage Stage Petrillo Saturday, August 30 Jazz on Jackson Jazz & Heritage Stage Petrillo - 4:30-4:45 Remembering Franz Jackson: Eric Schneider, Art Hoyle, Tom Hope, Dan Delorenzo and Robert Cousins
- 5:00-5:50 Pharez Whitted Sextet
- 6:00-6:55 Vijay Iyer Quintet (commissioned piece debut)
- 7:10-8:10 Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy (commissioned piece debut)
- 8:30-9:30 Gerald Wilson Orchestra w/ Special Guest Kenny Burrell (commissioned piece debut)
Sunday, August 31 Jazz on Jackson Jazz & Heritage Stage - 12:30-1:30 Walter Dyett: Remembering a Jazz Warrior
- 2:00-3:00 “Art of the Solo” featuring Julian Priester
- 3:30-4:30 Karl Montzka Quartet
Petrillo *Friday through Sunday, don’t miss the New Orleans All-Star Brass Band performing at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Jackson Boulevard between Columbus and Lake Shore Drive. Admission into the Chicago Jazz Festival on August 29-31, 2008 in Grant Park is Free! This year the opening night concert on Thursday, August 28 will move to the world-renowned Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park for a free concert at 7pm. The event then moves to Grant Park, August 29-31 for three days of free music on three stages. Hours are 10:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m. each day.
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