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2010 Chicago Jazz Fest -
Passion, Diversity and Divisiveness


Grant Park, Chicago, IL
Sept. 1 - 5


Rene Marie (BT)

Kurt Elling (JB)

Edmar Castaneda (MS)

Story by Brad Walseth
Photos by Mark Sheldon (MS), James Walker, Jr. (JW), John Broughton (JB), Bryan Thompson - GraffitiPhotography.net (BT), Lofton Emenari III (LE) and Brad Walseth (BW) - copyright 2010
Videos by John Broughton - copyright 2010, video of Ahmad Jamal by Brad Walseth

Several days later and my head is still reeling from this year's edition of the Chicago Jazz Fest. Although lacking perhaps in the star firepower and amenities associated with festivals in Montreal and Detroit, Chicago made up for it this year with another varied lineup that offered rewarding music for the discerning listener, as well as some welcome changes to the format. This time around, due in large part to budget cuts, the festival found itself spread across several venues, including the Cultural Center and the beautiful Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park - something many have been calling for for some time now. Unfortunately, the Pritzker was still maddeningly under-utilized and the Harris Theater surprisingly ignored, but at least steps in the right direction have been taken. Hopefully, in the near future, the powers that be will be able to move past cultural and political divisions in order to work together to bring Chicago back to its rightful place as the jazz festival leader on the world stage.

Another and more controversial change this year was the addition of a contemporary jazz stage. I only saw part of Corey Wilkes' set (one of four concerts presented at this location), but it seemed that, although decried by purists, the concerts were popular and well attended. The bleed-through effect is certainly something that needs to be addressed in the future; however, this would perhaps not be a problem with a move of the main stage to the Pritzker.

But it was the indomitable spirit of the performers that was the defining theme of this year's fest. I did not see a single show where I felt the artists were coasting - everyone laid it on the line and gave their all, and we the listeners were treated to virtuoso playing and some truly resplendent moments.

Artist in Residence, Nicole Mitchell was all over the place - with at least four appearances. I made it to a couple, and her appearance featuring Colombian harp master Edmar Castaneda on the Jackson Street Stage was a highlight. Corey Wilkes was everywhere as well with perhaps his finest work coming at a stunning after set concert Sunday night at Wicker Park's Creative Arts Center with Kahil El Zabar, Kevin Nabors, Greg Spero, Junius Paul, Greg Breaker and guest vocalist Dwight Trible.

Southside saxophone colossus Ari Brown was also a frequent sight, with appearances with the Jim Wagner All Stars, as well as the Chicago Jazz Orchestra as they accompanied Ahmad Jamal's quartet. This concert (the final entry in the fine Made in Chicago series) celebrated the groundbreaking pianist's 80th birthday and featured energetic performances from Jamal and his group as well as the CJO soloists. The aforementioned Brown clarified his status as perhaps the finest jazz saxophonist in the city, while young guns Scott Burns and John Wojciechowski showed why they are names to watch for. Meanwhile, young Derrick Gardner emerged as a sparkling new star on the trumpet with his incendiary playing.

Speaking of trumpets, the week started off with the Jazz Institute's annual Gala, featuring a Pride of Trumpets - nine excellent trumpeters led by Jon Faddis and backed by drummer Dana Hall, bassist Lorin Cohen and pianist Jeremy Kahn - that was a true delight for fans of the instrument. With Corey Wilkes, Marquis Hill, Bobby Lewis, Tito Carrillo, Brad Goode, Pharez Whitted, Art Hoyle and Robert Griffin (8 Bold Souls) lighting up the stage at the Spertus Institute, the audience was treated to a wide range of trumpet styles.

With excellent playing by the trumpeter and his band, Goode's set at the Jackson Street stage may have been the "hottest" of the fest - although Mike LeDonne's sizzling organ quartet foray with Peter Bernstein, Joe Farnsworth and Eric Alexander, and Corey's Black Slang set both are in the conversation. Goode was followed by Brian Blade, and these sets had the best attendance of any at this notoriously "hot" stage. Blade's presentation was surprisingly cerebral at times and would have benefitted from relocation to the Pritzker, as the combination of heat and crowd detracted from what was an excellent performance.

In contrast to Ahmad Jamal's exuberant show, 75-year-old Ramsey Lewis' was a study in grace. This sentimental occasion was greeted with adoration and applause from the packed house at the Pritzker for the beloved veteran and his trio (Larry Gray and Leon Joyce, Jr.) On the other end of the age spectrum, young drummer Dana Hall's set with a reinvigorated Nicolas Payton was excellent, but again misplaced on the Jackson Street stage. And singer Maggie Brown made an abundance of new fans with her heartfelt tribute to the late great Abbey Lincoln.

Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls took a rebellious stance on the main stage while playing several tracks from their recent excellent album - Seize the Time, while Brad Mehldau's trio was strong and subtle. The Charisma: A Tribute to Lee Morgan set was excellent, but not as well attended as it may have been had the presence of people like Bennie Maupin, Billy Harper, George Cables and Victor Lewis been more publicized. The Either/Orchestra put on fruitful show as well, highlighted by Ethiopian singer Teshome Mitiku's engaging presence and the fiery alto sax of Hailey Niswanger.

Other main-stagers included Latin fireball pianist Chuchito Valdes and singer Rene Marie - who had every red-blooded male in the crowd eating out of her hand.

The avant garde crowd was given their due with sets by the AACM Experimental Ensemble (with a charming, chanting "*uck BP" song), Nicole Mitchell, Paul Giallorenzo's Git Go, and especially Henry Threadgill's Zooid - which lived up to its hype with an intense and unconventional onslaught of unusual sound. Meanwhile, crowd favorite Kurt Elling debuted some new songs from the pop idiom (Joe Jackson's "Stepping Out," the Beatles' "Norwegian Wood") for an appreciative audience.

I unfortunately could not split myself amoeba-like, and as such missed a few of the shows. My apologies to those I missed, but the Park District's fencing off of the lawns made getting through the crowds to the various stages next to impossible at times. Some I managed to catch included Jim Cooper and Kathy Kelly's Mallet Madness (which also featured Jazz Links award winner Thaddeus Tukes on vibes - taking the place of the recently departed Carl Leukaufe), parts of Hector Silveria and the Grilly Brothers (both in the crowded Randolph Cafe), veteran pianist Jodie Christian (with saxophonists Juli Wood and John Brumbach doing great work), Paulinho Garcia and Greg Fishman bringing some fresh Brazilian sunshine at Jackson Street and Tatsu Aoki's wonderful "Trans-Rooted" with his Miyumi Project Big Band, includng taiko drums and colorful choreography.

Besides the Corey Wilkes/ Kahil El Zabar after set, other after hours sets I caught were the Jazz Showcase Friday night - with Mike LeDonne, Eric Schneider, Eric Alexander, Scott Burns, George Fludas, Kyle Asche and Dennis Carroll (and Ira Sullivan, although I missed him) burning it up, and the ingenious George Burns (also Joanie Pallato and Sparrow) at Katerina's Saturday night.

My two most pleasant surprises from the fest were Cameron Pfiffner's sweetly swinging Marco Polo (at the Jazz and Heritage Stage), and the incredible set by Tomeka Reid's HEAR in NOW Trio in the stunning Preston Bradley Hall. The perfect setting for the lovely chamber jazz stylings of this talented trio (violinist and vocalist Mazz Swift and acclaimed Italian bassist Silvia Bolognesi joined cellist Reid) - this was - along with Ahmad Jamal's set with the CJO, and the Corey/Kahil after set- my favorite concert of the entire week, and indeed among the best of the entire year.


Prtizker Pavillion (JB)

Pritzker at night (JB)

Henry Threadgill (MS)

Douglas Ewart(MS)

Mwata Bowden (MS)

Nicolas Payton (BT)

Bennie Maupin (BT)

Greg Ward (JB)

Rebel Souls (JB)

Ahmad Jamal (BT)

AACM Experimental Ensemble (BT)

Derrick Gardner (JB)

George Fludas (JB)

Billy Harper (JB)

Dwayne Burno (JB)

Bennie Maupin (JB)

Peter Bernstein (BT)

Hear in Now Trio (BT)

Brad Mehldau (MS)

Bennie Maupin (MS)

Rene Marie (MS)

Ahmad Jamal (JW)

Marquis Hill (JW)

Interview with Ahmad Jamal - Part One

Interview with Ahmad Jamal - Part Two


Jeff Chan (BW)

Silvia Bolognesi (BW)

Mwata Bowden (BW)

Tom Garling (JB)

Art Davis (JB)

Black Slang (BT)

Derrick Gardner (BT)

Art Hoyle (JW)

Lorin Cohen (JW)

Chuchito Valdes (JB)

Ruben Alverez (JB)

Juli Wood (BW)

Tomeka Reid (BW)

Eddie Henderson (JB)

Bennie Maupin (JB)

Yaw (BT)

Eddie Henderson (BT)

Greg Spero (BT)

Nicole Mitchell (BT)

Interview with Kurt Elling


James Cammack - Ahmad Jamal (JW)

Maggie Brown (JW)

Billy Harper (BW)

Hector Silveira (BW)

Cameron Pfiffner (MS)

Tomeka Reid (MS)

Ted Sirota (MS)

Chuchito Valdez (MS)

Henry Threadgill (MS)

Greg Ward (MS)

Cameron Pfiffner (BT)

Rene Marie (BT)

Backstage with Brian Blade


Craig Taborn (BT)

Larry Gray (BT)

Eric Alexander (BT)

Dana Hall (JW)

Manolo Badrena - Ahmad Jamal (JW)

Rene Marie (MS)

Teshome Mituku (MS)

Paulinho Garcia (MS)

Interview with Maggie Brown


Either/Orchestra (BT)

Brad Goode (BT)

Brad Mehldau (BT)

Josh Abrams (BT)

Edmar Castenada (BT)

David Boykin (BT)

Rene Marie (JB)

Rene Marie (JB)

Elliott Bergman - NOMO (BT)

Edmar Castaneda & Nicole Mitchell (BT)

Talking with Ted Sirota


Erik Hall - NOMO (BT)

Jamie Register - NOMO (BT)

Jon Faddis (JW)

Pharez Whitted (JW)

Jeff Lindberg - CJO(JW)

Liberty Ellman (JB)

Zooid (JB)

Dana Hall (BT)

Prosaic - Club Tour - Reggie's (BT)

Chuchito Valdes (BT)

Ruben Alverez (BT)

Backstage at Jackson Street with Edmar Castaneda


Mike LeDonne (BT)

Mwata Bowden (BT)

Ramsey Lewis (BT)

Herlin Riley - Ahmad Jamal (JW)

Herlin Riley (JW)

Mazz Swift (BW)

Mallet Madness (BW)

Pride of Trumpets - JIC Gala (JB)

Pride of Trumpets - JIC Gala (JB)

Pride of Trumpets - JIC Gala (JB)

Pride of Trumpets - JIC Gala (JB)

John Moulder talks about the 2011 ChiTown Jazz Fest


David Young (MS)

Kurt Elling (MS)

Ahmad Jamal (BT)

Rob Haight (BT)

Billy Harper (JB)

Dwayne Burno (JB)

Eddie Jefferson (JB)

Maggie Brown (BT)

Brad Goode w/ Rene Marie (BT)

Rene Marie (JB)

Rene Marie (JB)

Nicole Mitchell (BT)

Silvia Bolognesi (BT)

David Boykin (BT)

Backstage at Jackson Street with Dana Hall


Willie Pickens (JW)

Frank Russell (JW)

Kevin Nabors & Corey Wilkes (JB)

Kahil El Zabar (JB)

Greg Spero (JB)

Black Slang (JW)

Corey Wilkes (JW)

Larry Grenadier (BT)

Greg Ward (BT)

Elliott Bergman (BT)

Kurt Elling (JB)

Rebel Souls (JB)

Frank Russell talks to James Walker backstage at the Pritzker


Chris Thomas (BT)

Henry Threadgill (BT)

Ernie Watts (BT)

Kevin Nabors (JB)

Corey Wilkes (JB)

John McLean (BW)

Ted Hogarth (BW)

Backstage with Brad Goode


Marquis Hill (BT)

Chad Taylor (BT)

Either/Orchestra (BT)

Kidd Jordan (BT)

George Freeman, Kurt Schweitz (JB)

George Freeman (JB)

Ari Brown (BT)

Douglas Ewart (BT)

Peter Bernstein (BT)

Charisma (JB)

Victor Lewis (JB)

A Pride of Trumpets (JW)

Jon Faddis (JW)

Henry Threadgill (JB)

Kurt Elling (JB)

Stormu Takeishi (JB)

Bobby Lewis (JW)

Pharez Whitted (JW)

In the Green Room with Dave Miller


Ahmad Jamal (JW)

Dana Hall (JW)

Maggie Brown (JW)

Robert Griffith(JW)

Kidd Jordan & Brian Blade (MS)

Brad Goode (MS)

Ahmad Jamal (JB)

Herlin Riley (JB)

Rene Marie (BT)

Dwayne Burno (BT)

Dana Hall (BT)

Jon Faddis (BT)

Pharez Whitted (BT)

Nicole Mitchell Black Earth Ensemble (JB)

Nicole Mitchell Black Earth Ensemble (JB)

Corey Wilkes (BT)

Nicolas Payton (BT)

Chuchito Valdes (JB)

Chuchito Valdes (JB)

Geof Bradfield talks about his new album


Anton Hatwich (BT)

Hailey Niswanger (BT)

Junius Paul (BT)

Chuchito Valdes (BT)

John Wojociechowski (JW)

Maggie Brown (BT)

Ahmad Jamal (JW)

Kidd Jordan (BT)

Scott Burns - CJO (JW)

Interview with Greg Ward


Ramsey Lewis (JB)

Edmar Castenada (JB)

Jason Adasiewicz (JB)

Myron Walden (BT)

Dan Bennett - NOMO (BT)

Melvin Butler (BT)

National Anthem (JB)

Brad Walseth & Mark Sheldon (JB)

Greg Ward (BT)

Ted Sirota (BT)

Jake Vinsel (BT)

Dan Trudell & Dennis Carroll (JW)

Art Davis (JW)

Ahmad Jamal (JW)

bass player - Velvet Lounge (JW)

Paulinho Garcia & Greg Fishman (JB)

Two for Brazil (JB)

Corey Wilkes (JW)

James Cammack (JW)

Scott Burns(JB)

Ahmad Jamal (JB)

James Cammack (JB)

David Weiss (MS)

Brian Blade (MS)

Paulinho Garcia & Greg Fishman talk to us before they go onstage


Dana Hall(JW)

Ari Brown (JW)

Jimmy Ellis (JW)

Ari Brown (BW)

Tatsu Aoki (BW)

Jimmy Ellis (BW)

Jim Wagner All Stars (BW)

Rene Marie (BW)

Lee Morgan Tribute (MS)

David Weiss talks about the Lee Morgan Tribute


Hear in Now Trio (BT)

Avreeayl Ra (BT)

Mars Williams (LE)

Harrison Bankhead (LE)

Henry Grimes (LE)

Douglas Ewart (BT)

AACM (BT)

Charlie Kohlhase (BT)

Mars Williams (BT)

Rodney Whittaker (BT)

Ramsey Lewis (BT)

Eric Alexander (BT)

Ramsey Lewis Trio (BT)

Leon Joyce, Jr. (BT)

Ahmad Jamal (JW)

Ahmad Jamal & Manolo Badrena (JW)

Dana Hall (JW)

Maggie Brown (JW)

Fred Anderson Tribute (JB)

Kidd Jordan (JB)

Singer Iku Mori talks with us about her new album with Paulinho Garcia


Tito Carillo (JW)

Jon Faddis (JW)

Corey Wilkes (JW)

Corey Wilkes (BW)

Kathy Kelly (BW)

Kurt Schweitz (JB)

Kurt Schweitz, Joanie Pallato, George Freeman (JB)

Maggie Brown (BW)

Jonathan Chen - MIYUMI (BW)

Rebel Souls (MS)

Lorin Cohen (BT)

Juli Wood & John Brumbach (BT)

Umbrella Music (BT)

Chuchito Valdes (JB)

Jonathan Paul (JB)

Rocky Yera (JB)

Jeb Bishop (BT)

Douglas Ewart (BT)

Rene Marie (BT)

Mike LeDonne (BT)

Mwata Bowden (BT)

Art Hoyle (JW)

Jeff Lindberg (JW)

Lorin Cohen (JW)

Jake Vinsel (JB)

Greg Ward (JB)

Greg Ward (JB)

Corey Wilkes (JW)

Ahmad Jamal (JW)

Mazz Swift & Silvia Bolgnesi (BW)

Thaddeus Tukes & Dan DeLorenzo (BW)

Greg Spero (JB)

Black Slang (JB)

Francis Wong & Mwata Bowden (BW)

Robert Shy(BW)

Rene Marie (JB)

Rene Marie (JB)

Edmar Castenada (JB)

Brad Goode Interview (MS)

Nicole Mitchell (BT)

AACM (BT)

Brian Blade (JB)

Brian Blade (JB)

(BT)

Black Slang (BT)

Drum Choir (BT)

Nicolas Payton(BT)

Ahmad Jamal Quartet (JW)

Ahmad (JW)

Dave Miller (BT)

Geof Bradfield (BT)

Greg Ward (BT)

Stooges Marching Band (JB)

Stooges Marching Band (JB)

Stooges Marching Band (JB)

Stooges Marching Band (JB)

Young superstar Myron Walden talks with us


Jason Adasiewicz (BT)

Haresh Raghavan (BT)

Heitor Garcia (BT)

Ed Wilkerson (BW)

Juli Wood (BW)

Jodie Christian (BW)

Camron Pfiffner & Rob Haight (BW)

Ari Brown (BT)

David Boykin (BT)

Ahmad Jamal (BT)

Hailey Nishwanger (BT)

Nicole Mitchell (BT)

Larry Gray (BT)

Ramsey Lewis (BT)

Pharez Whitted (BT)

Greg Spero (JB)

Corey Wilkes (JB)

Big Ant (JB)

Black Earth Ensemble (BT)

Quentin Baxter - Rene Marie (BT)

Saalik Ziyad (BT)

Jeff Ballard (BT)

Rebel Souls (BT)

Jeff Ballard - Brad Mehldau Trio (BT)

Brad Mehldau (BT)

Iku Mori (BT)

Brian Blade (BT)

Brian Blade (BT)

Liberty Ellman (BT)

Elliott Kavee (BT)

Zooid (BT)

Henry Threadgill (BT)

Charisma (JB)

Charisma (JB)

Kurt Elling (BT)

Kurt Elling (BT)

Kurt Elling (BT)

Kurt Elling (BT)

Kurt Elling (BT)

Kurt & Ernie Watts (BT)

Melvin Butler (JB)

Brian Blade (JB)

Jon Cowherd (JB)

Kurt Elling & John McLean (BT)

Kurt Elling (BT)

John McLean (BT)

Kurt Elling (BT)

Kurt Elling (BT)

Edmar Castaneda (BT)

Darius Savage (LE)

Mars Williams, Mark Sheldon, Rob Vitti, Lauren Deutsch (LE)

Anthony Capers with levitating drumsticks (JB)

Brian Blade crowd (JB)

Stooges Brass Band (BT)

Stooges (BT)

(BT)

Douglas Ewart (BT)

Mwata Bowden (BT)

Myron Walden (BT)

Martin Stonikas (BT)

Erik Hall - NOMO (BT)

MIYUMI (BW)

MIYUMI (BW)

MIYUMI (BW)

Either/Orchestra (BW)

John Brumbach (BW)

Jim Cooper(BW)

Dennis Carroll (BW)

Lanny Grilly (BT)

Yaw (BT)

Umbrella Music (BT)

Umbrella Music (BT)

Mazz Swift (BW)

Hector Silveira (BW)

Corey Wilkes (BT)

Maggie Brown (BT)

(BT)

Corey Wilkes (BT)

Junius Paul (BT)

Nicole Mitchell (BT)

Dana Hall (BT)

(BT)

Jeff Ballard (BT)

(BT)

Elliott Bergman (BT)

Paulinho Garcia (BT)

Saalik Ziyad (BT)

Preyeas Roy (BT)

Dushun Mosely (BT)

MIYUMI (BT)

MIYUMI (BT)

MIYUMI (BT)

MIYUMI (BT)

MIYUMI (BT)

Jon Faddis (BT)

Juli Wood (BW)

Jeff Chan & Ed Wilkerson (BW)

(BT)

Juli Wood (BT)

Maggie Brown (BT)

Corey Wilkes (BT)

Corey Wilkes (BT)

Kathy Kelly (BW)

Preston Bradley Hall (BW)

Adrean Farrugia (JB)

Kelly Sill (JB)

Kidd Jordan (JB)

Contact Brad Walseth and JazzChicago.net at bwalseth60@aol.com

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