gram Promoting and Nurturing Jazz in NOVEMBER 2019 www.JazzInChicago.org MUHAL'S JAZZ PROGENY CELEBRATE HIS LEGACY - AND THE FUTURE OF JAZZ!

JAZZCITY 2019: A JOURNEY THROUGH JAZZ - PLAY IT FORWARD NOVEMBER 1 AT 7PM Hamilton Park | 513 W. 72nd St.

Keyboardist Justin Dillard studied with , one of the dedicatees of JazzCity’s Nov. 1 show at Hamilton Park for only a short time. And the lessons that Dillard learned from the late avant-gardist and AACM legend can't always be easily detected in his handsome mainstream sound. But when you're around an artist and educator of Abrams’ stature, you absorb more than you may think, whatever stylistic direction you choose. “He was a very quiet, humble cat,” said Dillard. “Sometimes, he could be very particular in pointing things out. At other times, he could be quite aloof. But whenever you were in his presence, you couldn’t help but be inspired to reach higher.” Having played with such stellar AACM ensembles as Nicole Mitchell’s Black Earth Ensemble, Ernest Dawkins’

Chicago 12 and the Kahil El’Zabar Quartet, Dillard is Foster James by Photo Justin Dillard. right at home with the AACM’s untethered, "roots to the future" approach. That will be evident at Hamilton Park, Marvel Comics character Loki: "Freedom is life’s great where he will lead an ensemble stacked with notables lie. Once you accept that, in your heart, you will know from that South Side institution: Edwin Daugherty on peace." alto , Steve Berry on trombone, Junius Paul Ultimately, of course, it is the freedom to filter all on bass and Vincent Davis on drums. kinds of sounds through his sensibility that makes for But, as the West Side native put it, "I'm a real the most personal and exciting music. "All the great stickler for tradition." As a pianist, he is most strongly artists I have been lucky to know, from Von [Freeman] influenced by mainstream greats including McCoyT yner to Nicole [Mitchell] have shown that once you master and Oscar Peterson. As a Hammond B-3 organist, an tradition, first, you can go on to do anything." instrument he has been playing with greater frequency in The concert is dedicated to three distinguished recent times, he most looks up to the work of Dr. Lonnie founders of the Jazz Institute of Chicago: Muhal Richard Smith, Jack McDuff and Jimmy McGriff. Abrams, critic and author Terry Martin and record label And what of free jazz? Laughing, Dillard quotes the head Chuck Nessa. n

JazzCity is a free concert series initiated in 1997 by the Jazz Institute in collaboration with the Chicago Park District, now in its 22nd season of bringing people together from across the city to listen to Chicago’s top jazz musicians. JazzCity is sponsored by WDCB 90.9 FM and WHPK 88.5 FM Radio and supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information visit www. Jazzinchicago.org or call 312-427-1676 Jazz IN CHICAGO november 2019 2 Richard Johnson’s solo piano performance piques without valleys at the Hyde Park Jazz Fest By Corey Hall

Two microphones hover above the Steinway piano’s intestines. One man settles down at its 88 keys. His hands glide into the stride that is “Royal Garden .” This song, composed by Clarence Williams and Spencer Williams in 1919, served as a natural opener to Richard Johnson’s solo piano performance at this year’s Hyde Park Jazz Festival. Johnson, a native Pittsburgher who relocated to Chicago three years ago, discovered that his new digs were less than a mile away from the song’s referenced location. Johnson – whose credentials include extended stays in ensembles led by Wynton Marsalis and , among many others – then acknowledged Mulgrew Miller by playing “From Day to Day,” the title track from the late pianist’s 1990 trio album with Robert Richard Johnson Hurst and Kenny Washington. “I still hear that original recording in my mind while adding whatever different things I can to it,” he said, “He was a great teacher and just a great guy. He during a post-gig discussion with the Jazz Gram. “I showed me lots of stuff,” Johnson said. “There was wanted to pay tribute and do it right. That’s what I was always a party at his house with great food. The fact that concerned about.” he was so welcoming was a very big deal to me.” Do you ever feel the person you’re paying tribute to After introducing “Stompin’ at the Savoy,” Edgar on the stage with you? Sampson’s 1934 love jones to the historic Harlem joint, “Not when I’m playing a gig, but when I’m practicing Johnson gave some attention to the clarinet perched I try certain things,” said Johnson, whose self-created patiently before the piano. Reach Afar program exposes youth to hip hop I always heard that playing the clarinet is so damn elements in jazz. “Their aura is still in my mind. I think difficult. about what they would do, what they might not do, “That’s what everybody says,” replied Johnson, whose information they passed on, and I make adjustments as appointment as U.S. Musical Ambassador led him to tour well.” Africa, Central and South America, and the Middle East. On “Blessed Assurance,” the 1873 spiritual composed “That’s why I started playing it. I wanted to see how by Knapp and Crosby and arranged for this performance difficult. What did you think of how I played it?” by Johnson, listeners learned about his upbringing and It was cool. Took folks by surprise. But it did talk the habanero. Johnson grew up hearing his father play back and squeak a little bit. piano in the church, and he learned habanero from “Yeah. That’s because it had been sitting (on the stage pianist . Johnson’s arrangement employed ignored) for an hour or two.” the habanero as its catalyst. Just imagine one beat per Johnson closed his hit by delivering a vocal on an syllable, as Johnson explained: original, “Beans and Rice,” from his album Here I Am. The top three beats/syllables: “How are you?” While his hands massaged this tune’s gentle melody, his This is followed by the bottom two beats/syllables: feet – encased in black socks that rocked the Batman “I’m fine!” logo – kept the swing easy in relaxed twine time. Here’s Lesson learned, soloist led his attendees to clap along a helping: with him on the selected spaces. This collaborative hand “I like my beans and rice/I like my beans with spice/ jive reminded Johnson about the warmth Perez and his Like in the navy/give me some gravy/I got to have my family gifted to him. beans and rice!” n.

JAZZ IN CHICAGO november 2019 3 Isaiah Collier Celebrates John Coltrane at By Rahsaan Clark Morris

On a Sunday evening in early October at the Jazz Showcase, Isaiah Collier and the Chosen Isaiah Collier at the 2019. Few played a set dedicated to the spirituality and dynamism of the John Coltrane Quartet. This particular configuration of the Chosen Few, where Collier consistently presents some of the best players from the South Side, included Justin Dillard on piano, Jeremiah Hunt on bass, and the veteran drummer Vincent Davis pushing out the figures on his drum kit on tunes like Coltrane’s “Dear Lord” and other cerebral/visceral stunners. The band would start out most of the tunes in a conventional way, as in the beginning of “Transition”, from the posthumously released album of the same name, with the band playing the “theme” of the tune as intro and then breaking off into individual thematic explorations. In this case, the soloist to start was Dillard who admirably showed off the style of playing that Coltrane’s pianist McCoy Tyner was known for: long- extended runs on the keys, punctuated by block chords and Photo by James Foster bass note downbeats. Then Collier would enter, in this case on tenor saxophone, taking off from the already high plain same, the emotional feeling by Wyatt was sufficient to carry that Dillard had left, and propelling the music forward. As her through, and her “comping” behind the soloists was Collier upped the intensity, the support from Hunt and competent. Davis opened up the music wider and wider. And just when Surveying the room at the Showcase during the first set, you’d think there would be a breaking point, the music I could see many diverse groups of young people – good to would expand ever wider. Then the band would somehow see – and I thought to myself, Isaiah is doing these young find its way back to the theme to finish off where it had folks a favor. He is actually showing this audience what started, but you felt you had gone on a journey, and only it was like to experience the fire and spiritual integrity of you as a listener would be able to tell what journey you had Coltrane’s group sets circa 1963-66. It’s one thing to watch individually been on. a video of Coltrane in performance from that period, but Collier and the group also gave an overview of the another thing altogether to experience the music live. I other styles of music that Coltrane and his Quartet were never saw Coltrane’s band live but I heard many recordings proficient in. T hey had actually started the set with the of live performances and as I pointed out before, as the solemnity of “Dear Lord”, mirroring once again the way band expanded its sound, it expanded my experience and ‘Trane would mix Gospel music with the sweetness of his therefore my consciousness. One would never get bored ballad-making. Later in the set, from the Coltrane and because you would be waiting to see what they would do Duke Ellington album, the band played the famous version next. And next they would go to another level with the of “In a Sentimental Mood”, with Justin Dillard putting sound and dynamism. As a consequence, not only was his own little phrase in place of the one Duke installed on Isaiah and his band functioning as entertainment, they the tune, a slight inversion of the chord that produced the were also pointing out to listeners how Coltrane, and by phrase. Beginning the second set of the evening was the extension, Eric Dolphy, Albert Ayler, Pharaoh Sanders, and up-tempo blowing tune “Afro-Blue”. Most of the audience other explorers, laid out the groundwork for these young recognized this number and happily greeted it with a round men to explore further. Even though the Chosen Few of applause. Sitting in on the number was a new pianist, would be teaching, theirs was not a didactic function, but Brooke Wyatt, who handled the chair well while Dillard a look back-giving people a glimpse of what was and what took a break. Though the intensity was not quite the could be now – pointing the way forward. n

JAZZ IN CHICAGO november 2019 4

tet 9PM JIC EVENTS & AROUND TOWN November 1 & 2 (9PM): The 24th Annual Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival November 1 (7pm): JazzCity 2019: A Journey Through Jazz - Play It November 7 (9PM): Diamond/Roebke/Kirshner & Moore/Brock/ Forward Heinemann/Damon Hamilton Park, 513 W. 72nd St | Free November 14 (9PM): Ken Vandermark’s Momentum 5 November 13 (5pm): 2019 - 2020 Jazz Links Jam Session November 21 (9PM): Blonk/Mallozzi/Vandermark Jazz Showcase | 806 S. Plymouth Ct. | Free and open to the public! Experimental Sound Studio...... 5925 N. Ravenswood November 22 (6pm): The Alejandro Salazar Quartet* (pre-concert for 773-998-1069/www.ess.org Craig Taborn and Kris Davis) Fitzgerald’s...... 6615 Roosevelt, Berwyn/708-788-2118 Café Logan at the Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E 60th St | Free* November 3 (6PM): Chicago Grandstand November 6 (8PM): SideBar Sessions with Bill Overton Quartet November 23 (7pm & 9pm): Jazz On Film: Louie Bluie November 6 (8PM): Bitters (SideBar) Filmfront | 1740 W 18th St | Free November 10 (6PM): Shout Section Big Band November 13 (8PM): SideBar Sessions with Chicago Latin Jazz Col- lective CLUBS* November 17 (5:30PM): Bill O'Connell's Chicago Skyliners, Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage November 19 (7PM): Western University Jazz Studio Orches- 210 Restaurant & Live Music Lounge..... 210 Green Bay Rd, tra, Bolingbrook High School Jazz Band Highwood, IL/847-433-0304/210restaurant.com November 20: Big Band Dance Party with APOL Orchestra (7PM), The JazzLive@210 series is every Thursday 7-10pm. We also offer SideBar Sessions with Jarod Bufe Quartet (8PM) jazz or acoustic music Wednesdays 7-10pm. No cover November 24 (6PM): British Buddy Alumni Big Band with vocalist Andy’s http://www.andysjazzclub.com/ 11 E. Frieda Lee Hubbard/312-642-6805, Showtimes: 5pm & 7pm / 9:30pm & 11:30pm Fitz’s Spare Keys...... 119 N. York St, Elmhurst/630-379-5007 Every Sunday: Charles Heath’s Early Risers Jazz Jam (5 & 7PM), 4th Tuesday of every month: Jazz Community Big Band Pharez Whitted’s Late Night Jazz Jam (9:30 & 11:30 PM) 7:30 - 10:30 pm; Reservations Taken and Suggested. Every Monday: Eric Schneider Quartet (5 & 7PM), Guy King Trio (9:30 & 11:30) Fulton Street Collective/ Jazz Record Art Every Tuesday: Vocalist Angel Spiccia (5 & 7PM), After Dark A Von Collective.. 1821 W. Hubbard/ 773-852-2481. fultonstreetcollective. Freeman Tribute (9:30 & 11:30PM) com/ jazzrecordartcollective.com $10 suggested donation/ $5 with valid Every Wednesday: Andy Brown Quartet (5 & 7PM), Mike Smith and student ID. All ages. Cash only. the Jordan Baskin Trio (9:30 & 11:30PM) November 4 (8:30PM): Gwen’s Pat Metheny Project w/ Matt Kava- Every Thursday (except the 28th): Soul Message Trio feat. Chris naugh Quartet Foreman (5 & 7PM), The Trumpet Summit (9:30 & 11:30PM) November 5 (8:30PM): Joel Baer and the Blueshift Big Band November 1 & 2: David Hilliker’s Tribute to Miles (5 &7PM), Rajiv November 6: Tom Garling’s Jazz Orchestra Halim Quintet (9:30 & 11:30 PM) November 7 (9PM): Mike Smith Quintet perform Cannonball Ad- November 8 & 9: Jarrard Harris Band (5 & 7PM), Vocalist Everett derley & the Poll-Winners Greene (9:30 & 11:30 PM) November 12 (8:30PM): The Perrilles Project w/ Matthew Muneses November 15 & 16: Mike Benning & The Six Senses (5 & 7PM), Me- Band linda Rose Rodriguez (9:30 & 11:30PM) November 14 (9PM): Heisenberg Uncertainty Players perform Led November 22 & 23: Chicago Cellar Boys (5 & 7PM), Saxophonist Zeppelin’s 1973 release Houses of the Holy Christopher McBride (9:30 & 11:30PM) November 17 (7:30PM): Christopher Narloch/ Morton Feldman November 29 & 30: Ashley Summers’s Raison d’Etre (5 & 7PM), Piano & String Quartet Battle Of The Saxes With Smith vs. Colby (9:30 & 11:30PM) November 18: Jack Sundstrom Collective w/ Alvin Santner Quartet November 19 (8PM): Gayle Bisesi & Guests Benny's Chop House...... 444 N. Wabash/312-626-2444/ November 20 (9PM): Artie Black Quintet performs Eddie Harris’ www.bennyschophouse.com 1965 release The In Sound Buddy Guy’s Legends Chicago...... 700 S. Wabash Ave./ November 21 (8:30PM): Outronaut w/ Tony Richards Trio 312-427-1190/www.buddyguy.com. Sundays: 5-8pm November 22 (9PM): Chicago Yestet Cafe Mustache...... 2313 N Milwaukee Ave./773-687-9063 Green Mill...... 4802 N. Broadway/773-878-5552 cafemustache.com. Live music Tuesdays-Sundays SUNDAYS: (7pm-10pm) Uptown Poetry Slam/ (11pm) Tuesday, November 5 (9PM): Chris Shuttleworth’s Safe Company, Night with the Joel Paterson Trio featuring Chris Foreman on the Gregory Dudzienski Hammond B-3 Organ Tuesday, November 26 (9PM): Brian Seyler Quartet TUESDAYS: (9pm-1am) The Fat Babies. California Clipper ...... http://californiaclipper.com/ WEDNESDAYS: (9pm-1am) Alfonso Ponticelli and Swing Gitan/ 1002 N California Ave/773-384-2547 (2am) Late Night Industry Set with the Frank Catalano Sextet Live music Tuesdays-Sundays THURSDAYS: (5:30pm-8pm) Andy Brown Solo Jazz Guitar Cocktail City Winery...... 1200 W. Randolph St/312-733-WINE Hour Show/ (9pm-1am) Alan Gresik Swing Shift Orchestra www.citywinery.com FRIDAYS: (5pm-8pm) “Flipside Show” with Chris Foreman on Hammond B-3 Organ/ After Hours Green Mill Quartet Jam Session Constellation...... 3111 N. Western/www.constellation.org feat. Eric Schneider immediately following Show times and cover charges vary. Most shows 18 and over. previous show November 1 (8:30PM): Chris Madsen Quartet SATURDAYS: (3pm-5pm) The Paper Machete/(midnight-5am) After November 4 (8:30PM): Tomeka Reid Quartet Hours Jazz Party with and Company November 8 (8:30PM): Alpha Consumer // Twin Talk November 4, 11: (9PM) Patricia Barber Trio Drake Hotel Chicago...... 140 E. Walton November 1 (9PM), 2 (8PM): Matt Ulery’s Delicate Charms Record Coq d’Or at the Drake Hotel/312-932-4622 Release Thursdays through Saturdays: Jazz Vocalists, call for details. November 8 (9PM), 9 (8PM): Metropolitan Jazz Octet and Dee Elastic ARTS...... 2830 N. Milwaukee/elasticarts.org Alexander Monday, July 1:Josh Hettwer Quartet & Chris Shuttleworth Quar- November 15 (9PM), 16 (8PM): Rob Clearfield

JAZZ IN CHICAGO november 2019 5

November 24 (2PM): Chicago Jazz Composers Collective Sundays: 9pm, Curtis Black Quartet/Jam Session Second Set November 29 (9PM), 30 (8PM): Dave Schumacher & Jerry Weldon The Lighthouse...... 1236 W. Chase/773-764-9414 Quartet Every other Thursday (free) featuring Jimmy Bennington Honky Tonk Bbq...... 1800 S. Racine/312-226-7427 m lounge...... 1520 S. Wabash/312-447-0201 Every Sunday: Chicago Cellar Boys at 8PM Live jazz and blues music every Tuesday and Wednesday 7:00 - 10:00 PM November 2 (7:30PM): La Tosca Multi Kuti...... 1000 N. Milwaukee, 4th Floor, 10pm, November 9 (10PM): High Hat Second Line Tuesdays: Jazz with Vincent Davis November 15 (7:30PM): Joel Paterson & Co. Sundays: Improvisation jam session hosted by Henry Mayer Music Monday: Inner City Studies, 700 E. Oakwood Blvd, 773-752-3955 Hungry Brain...... 2319 W Belmont Ave/773-935-2118, $10 Second Monday of the month: 7pm-10pm (doors open at 6:30pm). Every Tuesday (9PM): Tuesday Night Fellowship Hosted by Joan Collaso and WVON Radio personality Cliff Kelley November 13 (9PM): Ricky Alexander November 17 (9:30PM): The Dan Weiss Trio MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO...... Nicholas Concert Hall November 18 (9PM): Matt Riggen Quartet and The Gustavo Cortinas 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston/ 800-838-3006 / musicinst.org/jazz-festival Group Myopic Books...... 1564 N. Milwaukee/773-862-4882 Hyde Park Jazz Society...... Mondays: 7:30pm, Improvised Jazz Series SUNDAY JAZZ AT THE PROMONTORY Norman’s Bistro...... 1001 E. 43rd/773-966-5821 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. West, 2nd floor. Doors open at 7pm. Two sets: Sundays: 9pm-midnight, Open Jam Sessions featuring Ernest 7:30 & 9:00pm Dawkins with Dennis Luxion, Michael Lough, and Isaiah Spencer $10 general admission & $5 with student ID Le Piano...... 6970 N. Glenwood/773-209-7631/lepianochicago.com November 3: Isaiah Collier, sax Piano Forte...... 1335 S. Michigan Ave/312-291-0000 November 10: Rajiv Halim, sax Phyllis’ Musical Inn...... 1800 W. Division/773-486-9862 November 17: Victor Goines, clarinet/saxes November 24: Noteworthy Jazz Band Pops for Champagne...... 601 N. State/ 312-266-7677 3RD TUESDAY AT CAFE LOGAN Sunday-Tuesday: 9pm, Joe Policastro Trio 915 E. 60th Street. Free. 2 sets—7:30 & 9:00pm THE PROMONTORY...... 5311 South Lake Park Ave. November 19: Pharez Whitted, trumpet West Chicago (Hyde Park) promontorychicago.com Illiana Club of Traditional Jazz...... The Glendora House, THE Rhythm Room...... 1715 Maple Ave. Evanston, IL 102nd and Harlem, Chicago Ridge/708-672-3561, 2-5pm Friday and Saturday: 7pm-11pm, live jazz * $18 in advance; * $20 at door. Students with ID – free admission Sabor a Cafe...... 2435 W. Peterson Ave./773-878-6327 www.illianajazz.com *Prices will vary according to band. .saboracaferestaurant.com. Live music Thurs to Sat. 9 & 10:30pm sets Jazz Community Big Band....www.jazzcommunitybigband.com Serbian Village...... 3144 W. Irving Park A swinging 18-piece big band, led by Marianne May Mondays: 9pm-1am, Pro Jazz Jam, Tom Muellner, piano, Jim Cox, November 5: (7PM, 8PM, 10PM) Jazz Showcase | 806 S Plymouth Ct, bass, and Phil Gratteau, jam session Chicago, IL Some Like It Black Creative Arts Bar..4259 S Cottage Grove November 26: (7:30PM) Fitz's Spare Keys and EVERY 4th Tuesday of Ave/773-891-4866 the month. Every 4th Wed. at 7pm: Young Lions Open Jam ft. Jeremiah Collier 119 N. York St., Elmhurst Water hole...... 14th & Western Ave. Jazzy Monday at the Center, a JCI/ICD Production Wednesdays: 8-11:30pm, Weekly jam sessions on Thursdays – 700 E. Oakwood Blvd, Chicago/Reservations: 312-808-0005 Velvet Sounds Series: A Tribute to Fred Anderson, house band: Hosted by Joan Collaso & WVON’s Cliff Kelley, every 2nd Monday Scott Hesse, guitar, Michael Lough, bass, Justin Thomas, vibes. of the month! 6:30-9:30pm. Doors open 6pm. Every last Friday of the month is Jazz Night Jazz Showcase...... 806 S. Plymouth Ct./312-360-0234 Whistler...... 2421 N. Milwaukee, Logan Square/773-227-3530 Two sets at 8pm & 10pm & *Sunday matinee at 4pm. Mondays (9pm): The Whistler Jam Featuring Matt Ulery and Quin Visit www.jazzshowcase.com for weekday JIC member discounts! Kirchner JIC member card required. November 4, 11, 18, 25 (9:30PM): The Whistler Jam November 1, 2, 3* (4PM*, 8PM & 10PM): Trumpeter Jeremey Pelt November 12 (9PM): Relax Attack Jazz Series: Brian Seyler Quartet Quintet Winter’s Jazz Club...... 465 N. November 4 (7:30PM): Roosevelt University Presents – CCPA Large McClurg Court (on the promenade) Ph: 312.344.1270 312.344.1270, www. Jazz Ensemble wintersjazzclub.com, [email protected] SET TIMES November 5 (7PM, 8PM & 10PM): Jazz Community Big Band September 1: Johnny O’Neal + Denise Thimes | September 3: Judy November 6, 7, 8, 9, 10* (8PM & 10PM): Vocalist Vanessa Rubin Quar- Roberts & Greg Fishman | September 4: Bourbon Street Quartet tet with Duncon McMillan - Hammond B3, Perry Hughes – Guitar | September 5: Alyssa Allgood Quartet | September 6, 7: Victor November 11 (8PM & 10 PM): Saxophonist Brian Gephart Sextet with November 1: Petra’s Recession Seven | November 2: Alexis Cole Trio Tom Garling – trombone | Neal Alger – guitar | Karl Montzka – piano | | November 3, 17: Andy Brown & Friends | November 5, 19: Joe Poli- Kelly Sill – bass | Eric Montzka – drums | Brian Gephart – saxes castro Trio | November 6, 20: John Wojciechowski Trio | November November 12 (8PM & 10PM): WDCB 90.9FM Presents TBA Free 7: Christopher Lucas Wilson Trio | November 8, 9: Pharez Whit- Concert ted Quartet with guest vocalist Opal Staples | November 10: Ted November 13 (5PM & 7PM): Jazz Links Jam Session Hogarth Mulligan Mosaics Big Band | November 12: Rose Colella November 14, 15, 16, 17* (4PM*, 8PM & 10PM): Columbia College & The Chicago Academy for the Arts Jazz Faculty | November 13: Presents: Kendrick Scott & The Columbia Jazz Ensemble Michael Lerich Jazz Ensemble | November 14: Alex Mercado Trio | November 18 (7:30PM): Roosevelt University Presents – CCPA Large November 15, 16: Ben Paterson (B3) with guest vocalist Jazz Ensemble Leslie Harrison | November 21: Keri Johnsrud & Kevin Bales Quartet November 19 (8PM & 10PM): Bob Lark and Alumni Big Band | November 22, 23: Chris Madsen Quartet with guest vocalist Alyssa November 27 (8PM & 10PM): The Jeff Kier Quartet featuring: Jeff Allgood | November 24: Dana Hall Trio| November 26: Spider Saloff Kier - Piano, Mike Hershenson - Guitar, Lanny Grilly - Drums, Rafe Quartet | November 27: Chris White Trio | November 29: Richard Bradford - Bass Johnson Quartet | November 30: Eric Schneider Organ Quartet with November 28, 29, 30 (8PM & 10PM): ‘A Thanksgiving Tribute to Roy guest vocalist Bobbi Wilsyn Hargrove’ with Justin Robinson Quintet Jimmy’s Woodlawn Tap...... 1172 E. 55th/773-643-5516 Yassa African Restaurant.3511 S. King Drive/773-488-5599

JAZZ IN CHICAGO november 2019 6 FROM THE ARCHIVES (March, 1966) Coltrane & Co. at The Plugged Nickel by J.B. Figi

John Coltrane – tenor & soprano Pharoah Sanders – tenor & flute Alice Coltrane – piano Jimmy Garrison – bass Jack DeJohnette – drums Rashid Ali – drums Photo by Lauren Deutsch

Coltrane’s week here confirmed soundtrack from an old Sabu movie – jungle-fire, animals ASCENSION, made it clear that John intends to extend rampaging in panic, trumpeting of bull elephants? You himself into a spasm of “mystic” experience. Which can only describe with impressions saved from the storm. explains the music, and why he is digging into soul and DeJohnette walking away blanched and shaken from the pocket to enlist the young lions, aligning their powers demands of the music. Mrs. Coltrane sitting sedately by, with his. occasionally edging in with comment. Garrison plugging Wednesday night sounded as though giant hands away, helping hold things together. Pharoah a mongoose were breaking open the earth, great sounds and chunks shaking a snake. Roscoe Mitchell, sitting in on alto of things coming loose. John was blowing against a wall for the night, breaking loose with lashes of short-range which tottered but wouldn’t fall, then backing off into the lightning, some of the most exciting playing to come out stomach-lurching roller coaster of his more familiar style. of the mass. Saxophonists reaching for tambourine, claves, Two drummers are pertinent to the music, functioning beaters, etc. whenever resting the horn. Rashid coming in a way comparable to a guitar team; while DeJohnette through undaunted near the end with a fresh new drum- played “rhythm”, Rashid wove “melody”, a steady pattern dance. A locomotive of horns, Pharoah-Trane-Roscoe in of rhythmic filigree similar to the flying carpet Ed Blackwell a row blowing at once, spinning wheels, throwing cinders. spreads. But the most urgent voice of the night was Roscoe becoming “possessed” with revival-frenzy. And Pharoah Sanders, toes plugged into some personal wall- the big punch of Coltrane, somehow keeping his head in socket, screaming squealing honking, exploding echoes of the melee, breaking through time after time with groaning encouragement among the audience. Pharoah was a mad lyricism. Like a convulsion they had induced but no longer wind screeching through the root-cellars of Hell. seemed able to control, it ground on and on, beyond Friday night. How do you review a cataclysm? expected limits of endurance, past two hours, past closing evaluate an earthquake? An apocalyptic juggernaut that time, until the management intervened and closed it rolled across an allusion to My Favorite Things into a down. n

Jazz In CHicago november 2019 7 Education Corner Jazz Links Jam Sessions Wednesday, November 13th | 5:00-7:00pm | Jazz Showcase | 806 S Plymouth Ct | Free! Jazz Links Jam Sessions are back! We are excited to return to the Jazz Showcase on November 13th for the start of the 2019/20 season. Monthly jam sessions provide students with an opportunity to connect with other student musicians and perform with world-class professionals Robert Irving III, Katie Ernst, Marcus Evans and Jarrard Harris in the Jazz Links house band. Hosted in partnership with the Jazz Showcase, the jam sessions provide everyone with a chance to see young talent develop right before their eyes and ears. Registration is OPEN for the 2020 Jazz in the Chi Jazz Band Festival Jazz in the Chi Jazz Band Festival | Saturday, February 22nd, 2020 | Whitney Young Magnet High School | 211 S Laflin St Registration for the 2020 Jazz in the Chi Jazz Band Festival and Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Festival is now open! The one-day festival allows school jazz groups in elementary and high school the opportunity to perform and attend clinics, improvisation workshops, and instrumental master classes taught by world renowned jazz artists and educators. For more information about the festival and a link to register your ensemble, please visit us at www.jazzinchicago.org.

Join the Jazz Links Student Council! Registration is open for the 2019/20 Jazz Links Student Council. Now entering its 17th year, the student council gives high school jazz musicians the opportunity to develop musically and professionally through exposure to live music, workshops with professional musicians, and performance opportunities throughout the city. In addition, active members are invited to participate in the NextGenJazz Emerging Artists Project. The Emerging Artists Project promotes leadership, creativity, and a foundation for self-marketing by working with participants to develop skills necessary to lead their own ensembles, create an online presence, and promote and manage their own gigs and shows. For more information about the Jazz Links Student Council and a link to the application, please visit our website at www.jazzinchicago.org.

Registration is OPEN for the 2020 Jazz in the Chi Jazz Band Festival Jazz in the Chi Jazz Band Festival | Saturday, February 22nd, 2020 | Whitney Young Magnet High School | 211 S Laflin St Registration for the 2020 Jazz in the Chi Jazz Band Festival and Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Festival is now open! The one-day festival allows school jazz groups in elementary and high school the opportunity to perform and attend clinics, improvisation workshops, and instrumental master classes taught by world renowned jazz artists and educators. For more information about the festival and a link to register your ensemble, please visit us at www. jazzinchicago.org.

JAZZGRAM A monthly newsletter published by the Jazz Institute of Chicago for its members. The Jazzgram represents the views of the authors, and unless so designated, does not reflect official policy of the Jazz Institute. We welcome news and articles with differing opinions.

Managing Editor: Adriana Prieto Design: Letterform | Production: Raymond A. Thomas Correspondents: Rahsaan Clark Morris, Corey Hall, David Whiteis Board of Directors: President: David Helverson Vice Presidents: Timuel Black, Warren Chapman, Brian Myerholtz, William Norris, Roxana Espoz Secretary: Howard Mandel Treasurer: Darryl Wilson Emeritus Director: Joseph B. Glossberg Executive Director: Heather Ireland Robinson Board Members: David Bloomberg, Miguel de la Cerna, Dan Epstein, Rajiv Halim, Jarrard Harris, Bill King, Jason Koransky, Terry Martin, Ted Oppenheimer, Bethany Pickens, Keyonn Pope, Mike Reed, Kent Richmond, Harold Rogers, Judith E. Stein, Conrad Terry, Neil Tesser

Founded in 1969, the Jazz Institute of Chicago, a not-for-profit corporation, promotes and nurtures jazz in Chicago by providing jazz education, developing and supporting musicians, building Chicago audiences and fostering a thriving jazz scene. 410 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 500, Chicago IL 60605 | 312-427-1676 • Fax: 312-427-1684 • JazzInChicago.org The Jazz Institute of Chicago is supported in part by The Alphawood Foundation | The Francis Beidler Foundation | The Chicago Community Trust | A CityArts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events | Crown Family Philanthropies | The Philip Darling Foundation | The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation | The Illinois Arts Council Agency | Lloyd A. Fry Foundation | The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince | The National Endowment for the Arts | The Oppenheimer Family Foundation | The Polk Bros. Foundation | The Benjamin Rosenthal Foundation | Wells Fargo Foundation dated material

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