Story by Eric Miller
Nestled amidst the corn and soy fields 75 miles west of downtown Chicago lies the burgeoning DeKalb jazz scene.  While the rural Midwest might not seem like a hotspot for jazz, DeKalb regularly showcases top-notch artists
from around the country. Furthermore, DeKalb’s homegrown jazzers are branching out and playing all over the Northern Illinois area.
The engine driving all this jazz is Northern Illinois University. The successful Jazz Studies department of NIU’s School of Music has attracting an array of big name talent for several years. In the last three months
alone, the school has hosted renowned jazz artists David  Sanchez, Stefon Harris & Blackout, the Winard Harper Sextet, Antonio Hart, John Abercrombie, and Eric Person. In addition to intimate concerts, many of these
world-class performers also offer clinics and lessons while they are in town. All of this is open to the public, usually for free. These musicians
aren’t just cloistering themselves away in the halls of academia, either. Besides their work on campus, each of these performers has played gigs in and around DeKalb, bringing world-class jazz to anyone who wants to hear it.
In addition to bringing in heavy-hitting players, NIU is also producing talent of its own.  Recent graduates of the jazz studies program are now holding down permanent positions in the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and
the Winard Harper Sextet, as well as making names for themselves gigging around Chicago, New York, and elsewhere in the world. Every night of the week, current students are playing in clubs and cafes around DeKalb.
Established groups such as the Dave Hartsman Quartet and the Ron Baxter 4tet maintain weekly residencies at area venues while pickup bands can be heard all over town. Even the NIU faculty gets in on the action from time to
time, as bands such as Panoramic (a Calypso/Afro-Cuban/Brazilian ensemble featuring steel pan virtuoso Liam Teague) and the Fareed Haque Group play around DeKalb.
Although NIU is the force behind DeKalb’s jazz scene, it is the local venues that bring this music to the community. Java 101, located at 901 Lucinda Ave., is the quintessential jazz café. Serving up everything from
coffee and tea to smoothies and snacks during the day, Java 101 presents live student groups almost every night. Not limiting itself to straight-ahead jazz, the place has hosted everything from folk guitarists to
hip-hop groups to the myriad local jazz combos.
The House Café (263 E. Lincoln Hwy.) is another hip establishment in downtown DeKalb. Owned by Blue Note recording artist and NIU faculty member Fareed Haque, the House Café has been the epicenter of DeKalb’s jazz scene for years. In addition to the usual cafe fare, the House also serves up a varied menu of wraps, soups and salads. What sets the House apart is the vast scope of its bookings. Playing host to everything from local student groups to weekly jam sessions to Dixieland brunches to legendary jazz artists, the House Café is a never-ending musical melange. The Tuesday night jam session, hosted by up-and-coming saxophonist Doug Stone, regularly draws the best players from around the area. Sunday brunch is often accompanied by the Barb City Stompers, a traditional jazz group from DeKalb. Fareed himself plays at the club, although intermittently due to his touring schedule.
For those who like a solid backbeat, Otto’s Niteclub (118 E. Lincoln Hwy.) is the place to be on Thursday nights.  Now in its third year as the resident funk band, Junk In The Trunk covers all the greatest hits from Stevie Wonder, James Brown, and George Clinton. The tight grooves, blaring horn section and flawless style make Junk a wild party every week.
DeKalb might not have the bustling urbanity of nearby Chicago, but its thriving jazz scene is a viable option for aficionados from the Western suburbs or the Rockford area. 
From straight-ahead to ethno-fusion to trad
jazz, DeKalb’s clubs offer up an assortment of jazz styles every night. The steady stream of jazz luminaries who pass through town will appeal to anyone looking for top-notch entertainment. DeKalb’s jazz scene is well worth
checking out.
DeKalb is easily accessible from Chicago or Rockford. From Chicago, take
I-88 West to Peace Rd. From Rockford, take I-39 South to Route 38 East.
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