jazzandbluesnews

Well, the weekend is here.  That means it’s time to go and check out a live jazz or blues show here in Chicago.  It is hot as hell here in Chicago and there is no cooler place to hang out than a dark, air conditioned jazz or blues club. 

This information is from the radio station WDCB and you should check them out and tell them how great they are too.

JAZZ

Happy Hour with Chris Foreman on Hammond B-3 Organ
June 26, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago
Green Mill Quartet Jam Session
June 26, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago
Music by the Lake - Ramsey Lewis Trio
June 27, 2009
The Ferro Pavilion, Williams Bay
After Hours Jazz Party with Sabertooth
June 27, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago
Brixie’s presents the BMR4
June 27, 2009
Brixie’s, Brookfield
Dan Effland Trio @ Braxton Seafood Grill
June 27, 2009
Braxton Seafood Grill, Oak Brook
CheckerJAZZ - Skinny Williams
June 28, 2009
Checkerboard Lounge, Chicago
Kimberly Gordon Organ Trio
June 28, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago

BLUES

Sonny Landreth
June 27, 2009 - June 28, 2009
Clearwater Theater, West Dundee

The weekend is here.  I am going to be doing my uncle-y duties by taking my niece to the zoo on Saturday.  So, I might be missing some of the live jazz this weekend.  That does not mean the rest of you should slack off!  Get out there and go twice, once for me.

This is from radio station WDCB’s website.  Please check out their site and listen to them and donate to make sure they stay on the air.

JAZZ

Happy Hour with Chris Foreman on Hammond B-3 Organ
June 19, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago
Green Mill Quartet Jam Session
June 19, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago
The Elaine Dame Trio
June 19, 2009
Philander’s, Oak Park
After Hours Jazz Party with Sabertooth
June 20, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago
Dan Effland Trio @ Braxton Seafood Grill
June 20, 2009
Braxton Seafood Grill, Oak Brook
Kimberly Gordon Organ Trio
June 21, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago
CheckerJAZZ - Brienn Perry
June 21, 2009
Checkerboard Lounge, Chicago
Chicago Jazz Composers Collective Matinee
June 21, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago

Some of you are probably still coming down from the high of spending the weekend enjoying the Chicago Blues Festival.  It was a great weekend.  To my surprise the skies cleared up and, for Sunday, it even got warm.  Of course, being down by the lake, there was a nice, relatively steady, breeze that made things much more bearable as well.  All in all, it was a great weekend.

If you went to the blues festival, please let us know around here.  I would like to get more legit comments from people.  Did you enjoy it?  Who was your favorite performer?  Leave a comment and let me know.  I will try to wade through the nine billion fake spam comments that I get on a daily basis and get your approved.

There are still live jazz shows going on around town this weekend.  My person pick was the one below which I got from radio station WDCB’s website.  I like it because it is at a place called Adelle’s and that’s my mom’s name.  So, if I had one show to see during the week this week, it would be this one and maybe I would even take my mom with me.

WDCB Jazz Thursdays at Adelle’s
Bruce Oscar 

General Event Information

Event Category:

Jazz Calendar

Price:

No cover  

Dates and Times:

June 18, 7:00PM

Add to my calendar

Artist/Group:

Bruce Oscar

Venue Information

Venue:

Adelle’s  

Address:

1060 College Avenue  

City:

Wheaton 

State:

IL 

Zip Code:

60187 

Country:

United States 

Telephone:

(630) 784-8015 

Venue Map:

Presenting Organization

Name:

WDCB Public Radio

Telephone:

(630) 942-4200

Email Address:

WDCBMktg@cod.edu

As I write this it is a Tuesday and it’s raining.  I have also been thinking about the death of Queen of the Blues KoKo Taylor last week.  It reminded me that our other living blues legend, Buddy Guy, is no spring chicken these days.  I am a huge fan of Buddy Guy.  He plays like he’s a teenager, but he is a man getting up there in years.  I think he is in fine health, but you just never know.

Not to bring everyone down, of course.  Sorry about that, but it just got me thinking.  How many musical legends do you have living in your town?  If you have any, you may want to appreciate them a bit while you still can is all.

So, I found this clip on YouTube.  I think I may have posted this one before, but it’s a great clip.  One of Buddy’s most famous and popular tunes “It Looks Like Rain.”  Considering when I look out the window to my left, it does indeed look like rain to me, and it is raining, it just seemed like the perfect song. 

Here is Buddy playing with John Mayer.  I actually like John even though I resent the fact he gets hot actresses like Jennifer Love Hewitt and Jennifer Aniston.  Still, you kind of have to admire that at the same time, you know?

Some people are more daring than I am.  They actuall go out and do things during the week.  For me, the most daring thing I tend to do during the week is maybe spend an evening hanging out at Starbucks.  Of course, being a writer, that means I bring along my laptop and spend a lot of time typing away.

For those of you who are more daring and don’t mind going out during the week, I wanted to pick a live jazz show for you to visit.  This was from the website of radio station WDCB and it would be the one I would go to if I weren’t so lazy.

Most people probably don’t think of the organ as a jazz instrument.  Well, it takes some getting used to, but it definitely is.  Here you have three organs playing together and that is something I have never come across before.  That alone intrigues me and makes me pick this show as the one to see during the week.

Deep Blue Organ Trio 

General Event Information

Event Category:

Jazz Calendar

Price:

$6 Cover * contact the Venue listed below for ticketing information  

Dates and Times:

June 9 09:00PM - 10

Add to my calendar

Venue Information

Venue:

Green Mill  

Address:

4802 N. Broadway  

City:

Chicago 

State:

IL 

Zip Code:

60640 

Country:

United States 

Telephone:

(773) 878-555

OK, so I am a little late in getting this up.  At least you can see what you missed last night.  Cut me some slack!  Koko Taylor died!  That’s kind of a big deal for blues fans and, in particular, blues fans here in Chicago.

So, from the radio station WDCB here are the jazz and blues shows for this first weekend in June.  I hope you manage to get out there and enjoy them and feel free to tell them you heard about them right here.

JAZZ

Jennifer Connelly & The John Paluch Trio
June 5, 2009
Marie’s Restaurant, Chicago

Christine Whitney at Sonoma Coffee Cafe’
June 5, 2009
Sonoma Coffee Cafe’, Evergreen Park

Happy Hour with Chris Foreman on Hammond B-3 Organ
June 5, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago

Carl Sonny Leyland Meets Joel Paterson & The Modern Sounds
June 5, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago

Green Mill Quartet Jam Session
June 5, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago

The Jim Guter Trio at the Grotto
June 6, 2009
Grotto Restaurant, Oak Brook

 Carl Sonny Leyland Meets Joel Paterson & The Modern Sounds
June 6, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago

 After Hours Jazz Party with Sabertooth
June 6, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago

 Frank D’Rone
June 6, 2009
Chambers, Niles

Jazz on 59th - Richie Cole
June 7, 2009
International House, University of Chicago, Chicago

 Kimberly Gordon Organ Trio
June 7, 2009
Green Mill, Chicago

 Jazz Vespers: Tony Thomas Group
June 7, 2009
Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, Niles

BLUES

40 Miles to Chicago
June 6, 2009
JTodd’s, Plainfiled

It is a new month and that means there are new shows and concerts to tell you about at the bar and restaurant known as the M Lounge here in Chicago.  I love this place because they have added me to their mailing list and they send me stuff.  Anything that makes my job easier is a great thing for me and likely to get you mentioned on this particular blog.

It is also a great place to check out some great jazz.  They do a great job of bringing in talent and putting on good shows.  They also have great food, so you can make a true evening of it. 

So, here is their list of events for the month of June:

Tuesday         June 2                 Julia Huff & The Company Band
Wednesday    June 3                 Roger Harris Trio
 
Tuesday         June 9                  Eric Allen Quartet
Wednesday    June 10               Sarah Marie Young
 
Tuesday         June 16                Julia Huff & The Company Band
Wednesday    June 17                Chris Greene Quartet
 
Tuesday         June 23                TBA
Wednesday    June 24                Kimbrough & Company
 
Tuesday         June 30                Rajah Quartet

Just thought I would bring your attention to this concert taking place during the week.  I like to try and keep you informed of such things.  I prefer hanging out and listening to jazz on the weekends, but some of you want to party during the week and who am I to ignore you?  And so I perused the WDCB events calendar and thought that this one sounded interesting.

WDCB Jazz in the Bistro
Barry Winograd and Jim Ryan 

General Event Information

Event Category:

Jazz Calendar

Price:

No Cover  

Dates and Times:

Thursday, June 4; 7 to 10 p.m.

Add to my calendar

Artist/Group:

Barry Winograd and Jim Ryan

Venue Information

Venue:

Marion Street Cheese Market  

Address:

100 S. Marion Street  

City:

Oak Park 

State:

IL 

Zip Code:

60302 

Country:

United States 

Telephone:

(708) 725-7200 

Venue Map:

Presenting Organization

Name:

WDCB Public Radio

Telephone:

(630) 942-4200

Email Address:

WDCBMktg@cod.edu

OK, I am just going to admit that every weekend I pick a show from the Velvet Lounge.  I swear, I never intend to do this, but every time I look at the events calendar, it’s the show at that particular venue that stands out to me.

This weekend they have a show with a prominent Chicago musician named Tatsu Aoki.  From the WDCB website, here are the details:

Contact Venue * contact the Venue listed below for ticketing information  

Dates and Times:

Saturday, May 30; 9:30 pm

Artist/Group:

Tatsu Aoki bass, Ed Wilkerson and Mwata Bowden woodwinds, Hide Yoshihashi & Amy Homma drums

Venue Information

Venue:

Velvet Lounge  

Address:

67 E. Cermak
(between Wabash and Michigan Avenue)  

City:

Chicago 

State:

IL 

Zip Code:

60616 

Country:

United States 

Telephone:

(312) 791-9050

Check out his website as well.  He is a bass player.  You never know about bass players, but Charles Mingus was one and he was great at finding talent, so I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt.  Plus, he’s from Chicago, which automatically puts him high on my list of must-sees.

The last weekend in May is here.  What a perfect time to head out and check out some live music.  The weather is rather cool, the hockey season is over and the baseball teams around here are dreadful beyond comprehension.  I say it’s time to start enjoying the local jazz and blues scene.

Below, the information comes from radio station WDCB and their Events Calendar section.  Check them out and give them a listen.

JAZZ

The Flat Cats
Date: March 27 - May 29 on
Friday 8:30 P.M. to 11:30 P.M.
Venue: Onesti Dinner Club, St. Charles

Sounds of Summer - Jazz Vocalist Frankie Wesson
Date: Friday, May 29; 7:30pm-10:30pm
Venue: Stonefire Restaurant, Yorkville

Ernest Dawkins New Horizon Ensemble
Date: Friday, May 29; 9:30 to 1:30 am
Venue: Andy’s, Chicago

Bob Perna & Persistance
Date: Friday, May 29; 5 to 8:30 pm
Venue: Andy’s, Chicago

The Elaine Dame Trio
Date: Friday, May 29; 8:00 pm - 12:00 am
Venue: Philander’s, Oak Park

David Drazin piano concert
Date: Friday, May 29; 7:00pm to 10:00pm
Venue: Joplin’s Java and Ragtime Cafe, Waukegan

Tony Smith Show
Date: Friday, May 29; 9 pm
Venue: Chambers, Niles

Kimberly Gordon with Tom Hope
Date: Friday, May 29; 6:30 pm
Venue: Katerina’s, Chicago

Green Mill Quartet Jam Session
Date: Friday, May 29; 1:30 to 4 am
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

Happy Hour with Chris Foreman on Hammond B-3 Organ
Date: Friday, May 29; 5 to 8 pm
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

Harry Brown opens for Gomez-Farr singing his original songs
Date: Friday, May 29; 5:30 pm
Venue: Bill’s Blues Bar, Evanston

Bruce Williams Trio
Date: Friday, May 29; 9 pm to 1 am
Venue: Pete Miller’s - Evanston, Evanston

Tony Monaco Trio
Date: Friday, May 29; 9 pm to 1 am
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

Ed Daugherty
Date: Friday, May 29; 9:30 pm
Venue: Velvet Lounge, Chicago

Eddie Harrison’s Jump Stars
Date: Friday, May 29; 8 to 12:30
Venue: Pete Miller’s - Wheeling, Wheeling

The Flat Cats
Date: March 28 - May 30; 8:30 P.M. to 12:00 A.M.
Venue: Drake Hotel - Palm Court, Chicago

The Rodney Brown Duo
Date: May 2 - 30 on
Saturday 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Venue: Blues Bar, Mt Prospect

After Hours Jazz Party with Sabertooth
Date: Saturday, May 30; Midnight to 4
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

Bruce Williams Trio
Date: Saturday, May 30; 9 pm to 1 am
Venue: Pete Miller’s - Evanston, Evanston

Eddie Harrison’s Jump Stars
Date: Saturday, May 30; 8 to 12:30
Venue: Pete Miller’s - Wheeling, Wheeling

The West Side Winders
Date: Saturday, May 30; 6 to 10 pm
Venue: Pete Miller’s - Wheeling, Wheeling

Ernest Dawkins New Horizon Ensemble
Date: Saturday, May 30; 9:30 to 1:30 am
Venue: Andy’s, Chicago

Bob Perna & Persistance
Date: Saturday, May 30; 5 to 8:30 pm
Venue: Andy’s, Chicago

Petra Van Nuis with Andy Brown
Date: Saturday, May 30; 6:30 pm
Venue: Katerina’s, Chicago

Tatsu Aoki’s Miyumi Project
Date: Saturday, May 30; 9:30 pm
Venue: Velvet Lounge, Chicago

The Jim Guter Quartet
Date: Saturday, May 30; 7 P.M. - 11 P.M.
Venue: Francesca’s Passaggio Ristorante, Naperville

Tony Monaco Trio
Date: Saturday, May 30; 8 to midnight
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

The Paul Abella Trio
Date: April 5 - May 31 on
Sunday 7:30 pm to 11:30pm
Venue: MECCA Supper Club,

Chicago Andy’s Jam Session
Date: Sunday, May 31; 9 pm to 1 am
Venue: Andy’s, Chicago

Dean Allrick
Date: Sunday, May 31; 5 pm
Venue: Chambers, Niles

Velvet Lounge Jazz Jam
Date: Sunday, May 31; 9:30 pm
Venue: Velvet Lounge, Chicago

Kimberly Gordon Organ Trio
Date: Sunday, May 31; 11 pm to 2 am
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

Chicago Jazz Composers Collective
Date: Sunday, May 31; 2 to 4 pm
Venue: Green Mill, Chicago

CheckerJAZZ - Dee Alexander
CD Release Party
Date: Sunday, May 31; 7:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Venue: Checkerboard Lounge, Chicago

Jordan Baskin Trio
Date: Sunday, May 31; 5 to 8:30 pm
Venue: Andy’s, Chicago

BLUES

Eddy ’The Chief’ Clearwater Blues Band
May 30, 2009
Bill’s Blues Bar, Evanston
Watseka Theatre’s 2nd Annual Blues & BBQ Fest
May 30, 2009
Watseka Theatre, Watseka