Labor Day weekend ushers in two major events: the end of summer and jazz festival season.
Once again, the city will celebrate one of its most treasured art forms with the Chicago Jazz Festival, which runs Thursday through Sunday, followed by the Englewood Jazz Festival (Sept. 18-20) and Hyde Park Jazz Festival (Sept. 27-28).
As always, music lovers can expect world-renowned headliners from out-of-state. But each of the fests is really defined by both the homegrown veteran talent and local young stars carrying on the legacy of the music.
And this year, some of the most inventive programming will honor the 60th anniversary of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians, known for supporting experimental compositions that push the boundaries of jazz.
The fests are returning amid sweeping cuts in arts funding by the Trump administration. Both the Englewood Jazz Festival and Hyde Park Jazz Festival had National Endowment for the Arts grants withdrawn this year. However, those events, as well as the Chicago Jazz Festival, will remain free, though they are accepting donations.
“The festivals are all a celebration of Chicago jazz and the extraordinary diversity of the music that is emanating from across generations and stylistically,” said Kate Dumbleton, executive director and artistic director of the Hyde Park Jazz Festival. “It does feel like a pretty full month. But the beauty of a city like Chicago is that there’s enough room for all of it.”
Read on for what to expect from each event this year.
Chicago Jazz Festival
Aug. 28 – 31
Chicago Cultural Center and Millennium Park
201 E. Randolph St.
When asked to describe the Chicago Jazz Festival, Frayne Lewis offered one word: “mind-blowing.” That’s because there is so much variety in the performances, said Lewis, the senior policy analyst in music for the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The lineup features celebrated headliners, such as Esperanza Spalding and Kermit Ruffins, and Chicago veterans, including Henry Johnson, Patricia Barber and Ari Brown. On Saturday and Sunday, the Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace will present talented up-and-comers from the Kenwood Academy High School Jazz Band, Whitney Young Jazz Ensemble and other groups. “It’s important to give them a stage because they’re our future,” Lewis said. “Without that, we become stagnant.” The event’s organizers strive to book programming that is varied and accessible enough to appeal to anyone, Lewis said. “You don’t have to be a veteran jazz-lover to enjoy the festival,” he said. “You can come and just hear good music.”
Englewood Jazz Festival
Sept. 18 – 20
Hamilton Park and Cultural Center, 513 W. 72nd St.
The Englewood Jazz Festival will commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians with commissioned works by Renée Baker, Adegoke Steve Colson and festival director Ernest Dawkins. The latter will deliver a four-movement piece entitled “Great Black Music – Ancient To The Future.” It will be played by a large ensemble of local powerhouse musicians.
Other highlights of the fest include performances by the Alexander McLean Project, Isaiah Spencer Group and JoVia Armstrong. A group of rising local stars, known as The Young Masters, will showcase original songs. And the Spirit of Jazz Awards will honor artists who have helped shape the Chicago jazz scene. Now in its 26th year, the festival is a “South Side institution” that helped bring more entertainment back to the area, Dawkins said. “I wanted it to be an impetus for the development of things on the South Side, so we have more events, more places to play.”
Hyde Park Jazz Festival
Sept. 27-28
Multiple locations, South Side
The 19th annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival plans to honor several Chicago milestones. An immersive, multi-sensory exhibition at the Logan Center will pay homage to the 60th anniversary of the AACM. Percussionist Hamid Drake will celebrate his 70th birthday with both a concert and a discussion. And the Asian Improv aRts Midwest group will mark the 30th anniversary of the Asian American Jazz Festival with a performance and panel.
Among the most anticipated out-of-town guests are Jason Moran, who will play an all-Duke Ellington program, and Fay Victor, who has written lyrics to the piano music of Herbie Nichols. The audience can also expect entertaining sets from Chicago’s Renée Baker and the Modern Black Ensemble, Dee Alexander, Fred Jackson, Isaiah Spencer and several youth jazz groups. The festival is not only a celebration of the music of the South Side, but also its churches, schools, businesses and arts venues, Dumbleton said.