Chicago guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and multiple Blues Music Award-winner Ronnie Baker Brooks performed at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts on September 16. Ronnie was born into Chicago blues royalty as the son of legendary multiple GRAMMY Award nominee, Hall Of Famer, and longtime Alligator Records recording star Lonnie Brooks. All photos by Alan Frohlichstein. Through a shared commitment to supporting artists, venues, and audiences, Alan Frohlichstein’s wo

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,