In late 2006, Hyde Park cultural leaders convened with the community group, the Hyde Park Jazz Society, to create an annual event that would bring new audiences to the many arts and cultural venues in Hyde Park, and celebrate jazz’s great legacy and bright future on Chicago’s South Side. The University of Chicago’s Office of Civic Engagement stepped up to assist this grassroots effort. The inaugural Hyde Park Jazz Festival was held in September of 2007. At the first Festival,

9/16/26 - April State, an exciting young group of musicians performed a solid creative set at the Fulton Street Gallery, FSG, in Chicago. Aviana Gedler piano/vocals/compositions, Kit Graham vocals, Joe Shanks guitar, Simon Ciaccio bass, and Diego Rodriguez drums & cymbals. Visual artist Julian Camacho created original drawings in response to the music. All photos by Harvey Tillis ABOUT: Harvey Tillis is a documentary still photographer with a fine art eye available for record