he Hyde Park Jazz Festival and the family of Willie Pickens are pleased to announce the dedication of the Willie Pickens Stage on the Midway Plaisance

Chicago vocalist Anne Burnell, Gold Coast Award recipient, Billboard Certificate of Achievement honoree, and former President of Chicago Cabaret Professionals, brings Julie London’s songbook to life with a remarkable ensemble: music director and pianist Mark Burnell, guitarist Henry Johnson, bassist Chuck Webb and Bob Rummage.

Michael Barton’s The Anxiety Suite is worth a listen, especially by an empathetic audience that is willing to undertake a not-overwhelming 36-minute journey into one artist’s multi-faceted personal and sonic experience.

The Fulton Street Collective, FSC, in Chicago presented “A Jazz Occurrence - Art + Music” celebrating International Jazz Day. 10 visual artists circled the Arman Sangalang Quartet creating original artwork in response to the music as a large audience circled them. The entire event was surrounded by an art exhibit on the walls depicting “Jazz: America’s Music.”

Neil Tesser is a Grammy Award-winning jazz historian, writer, and radio host whose work has helped define modern jazz criticism. With decades of experience covering the Chicago jazz scene, he’s written for major publications including the Chicago Reader and Chicago Sun-Times. Known for his thoughtful analysis and deep musical knowledge, Tesser continues to bring insight into the music’s history and cultural impact. Tesser joins a prominent group of DJ's including Mark Ruffin,

In Episode 107 Mike interviews Dave Freeman, Chicago jazz radio veteran known for his work on stations like WXFM, WNUA, WDCB, and WNUR. A lifelong Chicagoan, he is recognized for recording jazz at venues like Green Dolphin Street, and his extensive knowledge of Chicago music history. Dave will participate in a panel of radio DJs, Our Jazz Life: “Celebrating the History of Jazz Radio in Chicago” during the International Jazz Day events in Chicago. Other jazz radio talents on t

On Threefold, Chris Madsen and his ultra-talented rhythm section extend their already evident fellowship into new territory that cements them as a formidable jazz unit.

Anne & Mark Burnell performing at the Gateway Lounge. Now in its fifth year, Chicago Cabaret Week will run from Friday, May 8 through Sunday, May 17 — with more than 20 shows in venues throughout the city and suburbs. All shows offer tickets at $30 or less, excluding fees. Reservations are strongly recommended. The ten-day event has become a popular part of Chicago’s expansive festival calendar and showcases the diversity within a vibrant Chicago cabaret community — featuring

Celebrate Saxophonist Shawn Maxwell's Release of Frenetic Domain w/ Classical Saxophonist Chika Inoue with 4 Shows in Chicago March 26-29 The Prolific Reedman’s Latest Album Brings Composed Form and Improvisation Into Dialogue, Drawing on Classical Training While Remaining Grounded in His Distinctive Jazz Voice Chicago-based saxophonist Shawn Maxwell will celebrate the release of his upcoming album *Frenetic Domain, **a collaboration with classical saxophonist Chika Inoue,

Chicago will host the 15th anniversary of International Jazz Day in 2026, featuring a month-long celebration and an All-Star Global Concert at Lyric Opera. The announcement was made during a Tuesday press conference with city and state leaders.

Dee Dee Bridgewater and Bill Charlap live at City Winery Chicago on January 17, 2026 photos by Alan Frohlichstein. A night of jazz royalty captured in an intimate setting.

Chicago baritone Paul Marinaro delivers a stunning tribute to Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn with Mood Ellington — a bold, beautifully arranged double album brought to life with a nine-piece band and a 12-piece violin ensemble. Our latest review dives into the artistry, arrangements, and live performances at Studio5, where Marinaro proves once again why he remains one of Chicago’s most compelling jazz vocalists.

While Juan Pastor’s cajon rhythms dominate his albums, none is quite like the others, and Memorias, another of Vijay Tellis-Nayak’s stellar recordings (with engineering by Pastor), serves as an example of a jazz-central, cross-cultured effort that should build more of a sturdy, cross-cultural audience.

City Winery Chicago hosts The Chicago Jazz Orchestra with Paul Marinaro on Dec 8 at 7:30 PM. Enjoy festive holiday jazz, big-band classics, and seasonal favorites.

Markus Rutz, His latest album, Many Moons, is both an expansion and a reflection of his career, but with a significant difference: this is the first one where he left the recording booth to someone else and was just a musician among others.

Photo by Layne Dixon The Music Institute of Chicago presents a joyful afternoon of performances by members of its world-class faculty,...

Take a look through the gallery below from September 27 & 28 at the 2025 Hyde Park Jazz Festival. Photos by Alan Frohlichstein

ANNE & MARK BURNELL Be transported to Paris with a delightful show by Chicago cabaret performers Barbara Smith and Friends. Their concert...

The Chicago Jazz Festival is always a treat for the ears — but thanks to photographer Alan Frohlichstein , we get a visual tour that...

On August 30th, the Festival filled Millennium Park with performances at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the Von Freeman Stage, and the WDCB Jazz Lounge, creating another unforgettable day of jazz in Chicago.