The Chicago Jazz Festival, a favorite Labor Day weekend destination for jazz lovers for the past 36 years, celebrates the national jazz scene as well as top Chicago jazz artists. This year's fest runs from August 28-31 at Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center. Headliners include Terence Blanchard, Rufus Reid, Gary Burton, Dave Holland, Cécile McLorin Salvant and the Sun Ra Arkestra.
Here are some not-to-miss events from this year's festival. For a complete schedule of events at this free festival, please visit chicagojazzfestival.us.
Thursday, August 28
The Jazz Festival will officially open Thursday night with "Homage to Nelson Mandela" by Chicago composer Ernest Dawkins, featuring vocalist Dee Alexander, at 6:30 p.m. in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
Saxophonist Dawkins, longtime leader of the New Horizons Ensemble, will be joined by musicians from Chicago, South Africa and London in recognition of the role musicians played in energizing the anti-apartheid movement.
At the heart of the work, Chicago singer Dee Alexander, who has recently received national attention for her jazz artistry, will embody the activist spirits of Winnie Mandela, the South African President's first wife, and Graça Machel, his widow.
Friday, August 29
At 6:00 pm on Friday, Chicago-affiliated bassist Rufus Reid will lead his Out Front sextet, including saxophonists Bobby Watson and JD Allen and drummer Winard Harper.
At 8:30 p.m., trumpeter Terence Blanchard will lead an ensemble featuring Ravi Coltrane and Lionel Loueke. They'll perform pieces from Blanchard's experimental gem, Magnetic, while also continuing the 2014 celebration of Blue Note Records' 75th anniversary.
Saturday, August 30
Saturday night headliners include vibraphonist Gary Burton. The four-mallet innovator will lead a new quartet including guitar virtuoso Julian Lage and pianist Vadim Neselovskyi, at 6:00 p.m. in Millennium Park.
Bassist Dave Holland and his new fusion-style band, Prism, will perform at 8:30 p.m., featuring guitarist Kevin Eubanks, former music director of the Tonight Show; keyboardist Craig Taborn; and drummer Eric Harland.
Sunday, August 31
Young jazz singer Cécile McLorin Salvant's debut album, WomanChild, was praised by critics and fans alike. Singing in English, French and Spanish, her repertoire ranges from 19th century folk ballads to jazz standards. She will perform at 7:10 p.m. at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.
And then, at 8:30 p.m., comes this year's climactic finale, the Sun Ra Arkestra. With its chants, glittery outfits, Egyptian dancers and other cosmic trappings, this unique ensemble is as great a show band as it is a musical unit. Led by saxophonist Marshall Allen, this special edition of the band will celebrate its return to Chicago with current and past members in a riotous centennial salute.
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