This free fest is a constellation of international stars—including Afrobeat scion Seun Kuti, rambunctious Cape Verdean accordionist Bitori, and Afro-Venezuelan flame keeper Betsayda Machado.
Read MoreBy Tony Binns
Considered one of the most important composers and pianists in 20th-century music, Thelonious Monk is one of the most enigmatic figures of his era. Noted professor Robin D.G. Kelley will be delivering a lecture titled Thelonious Monk: An American Original based on his highly acclaimed 2009 book, Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of an American Original, at the 2017 Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Sept. 23-24, 2017.
Read MoreBy Howard Reich
World premieres, unexpected collaborations, a spotlight on women bandleaders and an in-depth look at Thelonious Monk at 100 will top the 11th Hyde Park Jazz Festival, running Sept. 23-24.
As always, the free event will unfold in multiple indoor and outdoor venues — 13 stages, to be exact — across the historic neighborhood. No other jazz festival in the Chicago area, and few elsewhere in the country, embraces and celebrates its neighborhood as effectively as the Hyde Park event has since its inception.
Read MoreChamber Music America
By Peter Margasak
With a committed volunteer network and an inclusive programming philosophy, the Hyde Park Jazz Festival has forged a uniquely unifying musical presence on Chicago’s South Side.
Read MoreAs a musician, I’ve dreamed for years about bringing two artistic communities together: Chicago’s modern jazz with the traditional sounds and instrumentation of Bamako, Mali. With Bamako*Chicago Sound System, I am raising funds to support an extended stay and expansive programming with West African kora master, Ballaké Sissoko and his group. This will include visiting youth in Chicago Public Schools, conducting a workshop for Chicago musicians, and developing a new collaborative musical piece with the Black Earth Ensemble that will premiere this fall at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival.
Read MoreBy Howard Reich
For years, the genre-bending flutist Nicole Mitchell has dreamed of collaborating with musicians from Mali.
Read MoreOn the afternoon of Sept. 25, mulling over how to open this review as I ambled between the music stages on Midway Plaisance, a verdant stretch of Chicago’s South Side, the perfection of the summer-to-fall weather that has blessed this 10-years-young indoor/outdoor festival came to mind. Moments later, skies cracked unexpectedly and the first aggressive downpour I can recall during the history of this two-day event ensued.
Read MoreThe Yardbird Suite
By Dominic Guanzon
Race is weighing deeply on the national consciousness whether we want it to or not. No matter how we argue the issues, we can’t argue that the issue of minority-police relations has had a lasting impact on the 2016 Presidential Election, the use of social media, the way local government interacts with citizenry, and – from my student experience – the collegiate discussion experience.
Read MoreBy Mark Corroto
Regard the Hyde Park Jazz Festival as you would your favorite restaurant, where it just so happens that you are best friends with the chef. You have an embarrassment of riches because everything on the menu, which is fresh and delicious, organic, and mostly locally sourced, is free to you. When they do feature a special from out-of-town it is always innovative and original. Only one problem, you can only dine there once a year.
Read MoreBy Howard Reich
Huge crowds, congenial atmosphere, pleasant weather — and, oh yes, more music than any individual possibly could get to.
The 10th annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival swept into the historic Chicago neighborhood over the weekend, instantly turning it into the world's largest jazz club.
Following is one listener's diary of a now-indispensable event that ends Sunday:
Read MoreHyde Park Herald
By Meredith Ogilvie
First time artists and seasoned musicians performed at several venues in Hyde Park during the 10th annual Hyde Park Jazz Fest (HPJF), Sept. 24-25. Despite some rain, the two-day event was enjoyed by those who attended.
Read MoreBy Howard Reich
For its 10th anniversary, the Hyde Park Jazz Festival has put together its most dynamic lineup yet, at least on paper.
As always, all the performances are free and will take place in venues across the neighborhood on Saturday, and on the Midway Plaisance on Sunday.
Following is an annotated guide to the most promising events. For the complete schedule, visit www.hydeparkjazzfestival.org.
Read MoreHyde Park Herald
By Allison Matyus
The 10th Annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival features about 200 musicians on its diverse lineup scattered over 13 stages with 34 shows. Some of those 200 musicians are South Side locals who are honored to play in their own backyard.
Read MoreBy Mark Guarino
The 10th annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival boasts its best lineup yet. Use the musical math below to find your perfect set.
Read MoreChicago Tribune
By Howard Reich
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the Hyde Park Jazz Festival commissioned alto saxophonist and MacArthur Fellowship winner Miguel Zenon to create a work he could perform with Chicago's Spektral Quartet.
Read MoreBy Paul Joseph
Famous for its bold, cutting edge architecture, Chicago is perhaps only dwarfed by New York as America’s most visually striking metropolis.
Read MoreChicago Reader
By Peter Margasak
Pianist Randy Weston turned 90 this year, but by all accounts he’s undiminished by age. He was integral to the development of hard bop in the 1950s—he wrote standards such as “Berkshire Blues” and “Hi-Fly”—and since then he’s become a thoughtful extender of its reach.
Read MoreChicago Reader
By Peter Margasak
It’s impossible to guess what any given performance by Matana Roberts will entail—especially a solo set. The reedist, composer, and Chicago native’s two most recent albums are both solo efforts, and they could hardly be more different.
Read MoreBy Jacky Runice
A solid 10 on the jazz-o-meter
The 2016 Hyde Park Jazz Festival offers two days of live jazz on 11 stages in and around Midway Plaisance, near the Museum of Science and Industry.
Read More