Ambrose Akinmusire
Chicago’s favorite jazz festival is back this weekend and will feature hundreds of fine jazz musicians—ranging from world-class headliners to local emerging artists—in addition to fun extras like an outdoor dance floor, artisan vendors, and so much more.
In its ninth year, the Hyde Park Jazz Festival will feature more than 35 performances and programs on 14 unique stages throughout the neighborhood. The performing artists featured are some of the finest in Chicago and on the national and international scene. They are exploring a broad spectrum of the music, from traditional to free jazz to dance music to experimental composition. Many of them are presenting in new or rarely heard configurations, adding to the uniqueness of the festival. Featured performers include trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire and Regina Carter, the foremost jazz violinist of her generation
At the center of the performances this year is a major commissioning initiative based on the festival’s Story Share project, which invites anyone to audio record a personal story about jazz at our booth on the Midway Festival grounds. In partnership with the Rebuild Foundation and with support from the Chicago Community Trust, the Hyde Park Jazz Festival has commissioned local artists Tomeka Reid and Mikel Patrick Avery to create new compositions based on stories collected.
This year’s festival will take place September 26-27 in Hyde Park. The festival is free but a $5 donation is suggested. Hours for the fest are Saturday from 1 p.m. to 12 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 7p.m. on Sunday. The full schedule is downloadable here.
Southern Comfort EPK from Julian Peterson on Vimeo.
