Drummer Makaya McCraven has always been a bit of a rabble-rouser. He mixes audio from his live gigs with studio overdubs in intricately layered tracks that feel like jazz approached with a DJ’s sensibility. Like McCraven’s 2020 Gil Scott-Heron tribute, We’re New Again (XL Recordings), last year’s Deciphering the Message remixes snippets from a source […]
Tag: Chicago Jazz
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Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few take an intergalactic jazz journey on Cosmic Transitions
In fall 2019, WTTW arts producer Marc Vitali profiled young jazz visionary Isaiah Collier, who has become a vital force in the Chicago scene. “We should not let anything limit us,” Collier said. “People say the sky’s the limit, I don’t think that’s true either. There’s a whole galaxy above all this atmosphere. No matter […]
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Local drummer and bandleader Tim Daisy introduces two new bands
In January 2021, I profiled local percussionist Tim Daisy by detailing his creative response to the limitations imposed by COVID-19. At the time, he had just issued a virtual collaboration with electronic musician Ikue Mori on his own label, Relay Recordings. While Daisy has continued to exploit the potentialities of home recording and technologically facilitated […]
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Dave Rempis and Avreeayl Ra’s saxophone-drums duo comes in from the COVID cold
Bennu, the first duo recording by saxophonist Dave Rempis and drummer Avreeayl Ra, takes its name from an avian Egyptian divinity that created itself and also helped bring the world into being. It’s a fitting title for a completely improvised performance, especially one that ended the longest stretch without a gig that either had endured […]
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Hot jazz saxophonist Boyce Brown ended his career as a Servite monk
Alto saxist Boyce Brown, aka Brother Matthew, won a Down Beat readers’ poll in 1940, but because he recorded so rarely he’s all but forgotten today.
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Local pianist Matt Piet drops a dazzling new trio album
He celebrates the release of Of Sound Mind with a performance Saturday at Constellation
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An exit interview with departing clarinetist James Falzone and a rare set by Chris Dammann’s Restroy
Clarinetist James Falzone is moving to Seattle after landing a gig at Cornish College of the Arts.
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3.5.7. Ensemble is Chicago’s incredible shrinking (or growing) jazz band
The group’s new album Amongst the Smokestacks and Steeples deserves to net them greater visibility.
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Recently discovered vintage Chicago bebop from George Davis
Corbett vs. Dempsey unleash rare Chicago bebop from 1949.
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Chicago reedist and composer Keefe Jackson steps up his game
The compositional beauty and skillful arrangements on his new album, A Round Goal, match the musician’s talents as an improviser.
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Downloadable jazz from Tim Daisy and Dave Rempis for your weekend
New music from Tim Daisy’s Relay label and a free download of a rare session by the Rempis Percussion Quartet
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Witches & Devils return to play the music of Albert Ayler and Christmas
Mars Williams’s Albert Ayler tribute band mixes in songs of the season for its annual holiday concert
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This Friday, the final Willie Pickens jazz Christmas concert
Jazz pianist Willie Pickens presents his final Christmas concert at Hyde Park Union Church on Friday
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Homeroom’s latest class: intro to jazz legend Sun Ra
Scholar, gallerist, and occasional Reader contributor present Sun Ra 101: Man From Saturn at the Hungry Brain on Tuesday
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Local saxophonist Ernest Dawkins plays it Afro Straight
On his new album, the AACM stalwart takes on jazz standards