The 22nd annual Chicago Jazz Festival strikes a pretty good balance between what the people want (Dianne Reeves, Charles Lloyd, Big Band Monk) and what they need (Andrew Hill, Roscoe Mitchell, the Italian Instabile Orchestra). But it’s nearly impossible for any jazz artist to please everyone these days, and though the current democratic format of the festival does encourage serendipitous discovery, I’m starting to think last year’s multi-venue World Music Festival or the Montreal Jazz Festival might be a better model. The latter in particular is a logistical marvel, combining venues of all different sizes, both indoors and out, to provide the best experience for casual fans and close listeners alike. As Neil Tesser points out in his sidebar (page TK) the after-fest sessions at clubs and fest-week concerts at the Cultural Center have become a de facto way to plug holes in the festival programming, but incorporating them into the official planning might well benefit everyone involved.
Whether he was swinging standards behind Charlie Parker, flexing postbop muscle with Ira Sullivan, or getting expansive with members of the AACM, drummer Wilbur Campbell never let ego or flash get in the way of the music. To kick off the festival, four local percussionists will pay their respects to the late great trapsman with a brief improvised set. With 16 limbs among them, they might actually come close to capturing his spirit. A more extensive Campbell tribute is planned for Saturday (see below).
:20 PM Dianne Reeves With Stefon Harris
Mainstream trumpeter Guy Fricano was first inspired to play by Louis Armstrong and over the years he’s worked with the big bands led by Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, and Buddy Rich, so not surprisingly his own work is melodic, high-spirited, and accessible. His group features reedists John Arabagon and Jack Barron, pianist David Gordon, bassist Anthony Brock, and drummer Michaele Fiale.
Best of Chicago voting is live now. Vote for your favorites »
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
Solo piano tributes are an annual tradition at Jazz Fest; this year local fixtures John Campbell and Joe Iaco will toast pianist and arranger Gene Esposito, who died in 1999. Esposito was best known for accompanying singers, and during his career worked with Mel Torme, Johnny Hartman, Helen Humes, and Ruth Brown, among others.
