By Neil Tesser
Personally, I’d start at the Cultural Center (78 E. Washington), where from 6 PM until 8 PM the internationally renowned soprano saxist Steve Lacy and his wife, vocalist Irene Aebi, will perform excerpts from Lacy’s Beat Suite; from there I’d head to Andy’s to see saxophone maven Ron Dewar, then catch the North Route bus to the Green Mill (4802 N. Broadway), where the virtuosic pianist Laurence Hobgood leads an all-star quartet featuring drummer Paul Wertico on a twin bill with singer Jennifer Graham. After that, I’d catch the bus back to Andy’s, stroll over to the Jazz Showcase (59 W. Grand) for postbop progressives Willie Pickens (piano) and Ira Sullivan (saxes and trumpet), then stagger back to Andy’s for the South Route bus to the Velvet Lounge (2821–S. Indiana), where saxman Dennis Winslett performs. Finally, I’d bus back up to HotHouse (31 E. Balbo) for the double bill of drummer Damon Short’s brainy quartet and the Minneapolis-based power-jazz trio Happy Apple.
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But that’s me. If you prefer the pure mainstream, tailor a route that includes the Jazz Showcase but also hits the Backroom (1007 N. Rush, on the Central Route) for the unflappable trumpeter Bobby Lewis; Joe’s Bebop Cafe (at Navy Pier, on the North Route) for keyboardist Ken Chaney and trumpeter Sonny Turner; and Green Dolphin Street (2200 N. Ashland, also on the North Route), where vocalist Dee Alexanander, and wildmen Rich Fudoli (reeds) and Bill Porter (trombone) hold forth. Green Dolphin should also be on your itinerary if you’re looking for soul and blues–along with Buddy Guy’s, for Big James & The Chicago Playboys; Famous Dave’s (739 N. Clark) for Joe Moss; and the relatively new Club Alphonse (1351 S. Michigan), for Crosswind.
CHICAGO CULTURAL CENTER
JAZZ RECORD MART
Open less than three months and a little out of the way compared to other after-fest mainstays, the recently reconstituted Piano Man (3801 N. Clark; 773-472-2956) ventures tentatively into the fray with a light after-fest lineup and no cover charge. In the mid-80s, this place boasted a pretty good schedule of local players and a cozy atmosphere with cheap drinks; now the former music space serves as an anteroom and neighborhood watering hole and a newly restored interior room hosts the music, using an excellent sound system to reach the 100 or so people that can squeeze into the tables and along the back bar. On Friday, September 1, alto saxist Grady Johnson and his quintet–a little-known but wonderful swing-to-bop veteran with a sweet gritty tone–warm up for their Grant Park appearance; on Saturday, September 2, pianist Dave Gordon and his trio take the small stage to play a mix of bright originals and jazz standards. Local label Southport Records books the artists; during the festival weekend they’ll sell any CD in the catalog for $10.
