Free Chicago Jazz Series Continues on August 6
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The popular Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz series featuring Chicago’s leading jazz artists continues its free concert series August 6 with Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Chicago Legacy Ensemble featuring Bunky Green. Each performance has a distinct tie to the city and begins with a showcase of young, local jazz musicians. The series of six free concerts in Millenium Park highlights a range of styles – from Eastern Indian beats to Western BeBop classics – all performed by musicians with strong Chicago connections.
* Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Chicago Legacy Ensemble featuring Bunky Green – Thursday, August 6 at 6:30 p.m. 
Mahanthappa has been heralded as one of jazz’s fastest rising stars. Simply not to be missed. Jazz Journalist’s Association dubbed Mahanthappa their Alto Sax of the Year. In exploring his Indian roots, he has managed to bring to the fore music that emanates from his past. For much of recent history, Bunky Green’s music has been reserved for his students, so the thrilling prospect of having him perform on the second night of the series is only heightened by the anticipation of the collaboration with Mahanthappa.
* Sketches of Brazil: Robert Irving III’s Orchestral Homage to Miles and Gil – Thursday, August 13, 6:30 p.m. Composer, pianist and educator Robert Irving III conducts the newly formed Sonic Portraits Orchestra in the world premiere of Sketches of Brazil. The piece is an orchestral homage to his mentors, Miles Davis and Gil Evans, on the 50th anniversary of the recording of the pair’s classic, Sketches of Spain. Having been a close friend and band member with Miles Davis for over a decade, Irving holds the rare position of playing a Davis classic from an insider’s perspective. The free concert features Robert Irving III (composer, conductor, piano); Sonic Portraits Orchestra (a blend of 33 classical and jazz musicians); Wallace Roney (trumpet, flugelhorn); Fareed Haque (guitar), Dede Sampaio (percussion), Felipe Fraga (percussion), Charles Heath (percussion) and Miles Evans (trumpet).
* Celebrating a Jazz Hero: Fred Anderson’s 80th Birthday with the Great Black Music Ensemble – Thursday, August 20 at 6:30 p.m. Prominent members of the Great Black Music Ensemble honor an important father of Chicago’s creative music scene with original arrangements of Fred Anderson’s compositions. At 80 years old, Anderson has been at the forefront of the saxophone community for over 30 years, acted as a mentor to several successful jazz artists, and has been credited with numerous achievements including helping to found the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM).
* Chicago Piano Showcase: Willie Pickens and Ron Perrillo – Thursday, August 27 at 6:30 p.m. This display of dueling pianos reveals the full spectrum of the modern piano tradition. At one end, Willie Pickens’ (pictured left) strong hands show why they were an irresistible inspiration to one of the world’s greatest drummers, Elvin Jones. In contrast to Pickens’ emphatic style and complex melodies are the lighter, more modern tones adopted by Ron Perrillo. His approach pulls from popular music and demonstrates the movement forward into a new era of jazz.
* Benny Goodman Centennial Celebration and The Chicago Jazz Ensemble with Artistic Director Jon Faddis – Thursday, September 3 at 6:30 p.m. In a tribute that will have your toes tapping, The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jon Faddis, premieres a new piece composed and conducted by special guest Victor Goines honoring the man who put the swing in that thing—Chicago jazz legend Benny Goodman. To commemorate the centennial of Chicago’s own “King of Swing,” The Chicago Jazz Ensemble performs both classic and contemporary arrangements of Goodman’s music. This evening’s program features special guest NEA Jazz Master Buddy DeFranco – the “Father of BeBop Clarinet.” LA Fitness Shooting
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