Happy Birthday Joe Segal!

The founder of the Jazz Showcase in Chicago turned 90 years old yesterday, April 24th and he celebrated the only way he knew how, with live jazz! The special birthday celebration kicked off yesterday (Sunday April 24th) and featured organ master, Joey DeFrancesco with legendary saxophonist Jimmy Heath along with Chicagoan’s George Fludas, Eric Schneider and Henry Johnson. The celebration continues through Wednesday April 27th with the same group, so if you missed the official birthday celebration you still have time to stop by the Jazz Showcase and wish Joe well. Visit the JazzShowcase.com

On a side note…

I can remember the first time I visited the Jazz Showcase, I remember it was at the Blackstone Hotel and Louie Bellson was the headliner. In the band was Don Menza- sax, Larry Novak – piano and I am not sure of the bass player but it was swinging. Maybe it was Larry Gray? Anyway, I remember walking into that club and for the first time experiencing live jazz in an intimate setting. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and it changed my world. It changed the way I perceived music and probably one of the main reasons I became a musician and also started Chicago Jazz Magazine.

I am sure many of you had the similar experiences when you have visited the Jazz Showcase, it would be great to get some comments from you to use in a future article. Please share them with me at info@chicagojazz.com.

Happy Birthday Joe Segal and here’s to many more!

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