Aug
30
6:45 PM18:45

Quentin Coaxum's Satellite @ Chicago Jazz Festival (Millennium Park)

Quentin Coaxum brings his “Satellite” Quintet to the 2025 Chicago Jazz Festival.

One set at at 6:45pm on the WDCB Jazz Lounge (South Promenade) stage

Featuring:

Quentin Coaxum - Trumpet

Dustin Laurenzi - Tenor Saxophone

Julius Tucker - Keyboard

Joshua Griffin - Bass

Marcus Evans - Drums

JS - Guitar

More info @ Chicago Jazz Festival

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Jul
12
1:00 PM13:00

Impro Jam @ Comfort Station

HOUSE BAND: July 12

Luc Mosley - woodwinds

Ben Zucker - vibraphone

Jeff Swanson - guitar

Ben Dillinger - double bass

Lily Finegan - drums

Impro Jam is an engaging free improvisation jam session that embraces an egalitarian approach to participation and organization. The format encourages creativity and collaboration among artists from various backgrounds. At the beginning of each session, every participant writes their name on a slip of paper and places it into a hat. A die is then rolled, and the resulting number indicates how many names will be drawn from the hat for that round. The selected individuals come together to perform a spontaneous improvisation piece lasting between 10 to 15 minutes. This process is repeated throughout the event, allowing for a dynamic range of combinations and artistic expressions.

From 2018 to 2020, Impro Jam was hosted at Slate Arts and Performance.. From 2021 to 2022, the event moved to Cafe Mustache, a local hotspot that further fostered the community spirit of the jam sessions. Throughout its three-year journey, Impro Jam welcomed a vibrant mix of participants, including acoustic musicians, electronic musicians, video artists, dancers, and even comedians, creating a rich tapestry of artistic collaboration and innovation. Each session offered an opportunity for performers to explore new ideas, experiment with different styles, and engage with one another in a supportive environment. Impro Jam will be hosted at Comfort Station beginning March 2025.

Comfort Station

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Mar
23
4:00 PM16:00

Jeff Swanson Trio / Maddie Vogler Quintet @ Green Mill

(4pm – 6pm) CHICAGO JAZZ COMPOSERS COLLECTIVE

Sunday March 23

4:00pm - 6:00pm

$10 cover charge

Chicago Jazz Composers presents:


Jeff Swanson Trio
Jeff Swanson composer, guitar
Katie Ernst bass
Willis McKenna woodwinds

Maddie Vogler Quintet
Maddie Vogler composer, saxophone
Victor Garcia trumpet
Jake Shapiro piano
Sam Peters bass
Juan Pastor drums

The Green Mill

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Jan
7
6:30 PM18:30

Jeff Swanson & Wills McKenna @ Colvin House

With over a decade of collaboration, Chicago artists Jeff Swanson (guitar) and Wills McKenna (woodwinds) present new original compositions in a special duo performance. Blending jazz and improvisational sensibilities with an affinity for both acoustic and electronic sounds, the duo strikes a balance between the familiar and the innovative. Their music explores recognizable forms while venturing into fresh textures and melodies, offering a unique and engaging musical experience.

Find Jeff and Wills on Instagram

2 sets starting at 6:30pm

RSVP and info on Eventbrite

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