For hard-core listeners, the offerings at the Chicago Jazz Festival never are enough. So most of the city’s major jazz clubs will be offering after-fest sessions Friday through Sunday, once the lights go down in Grant Park. The highlights include:
– Jazz Showcase, 59 W. Grand Ave., 312-670-BIRD. Quintessential Chicago pianist Willie Pickens will lead a trio, with visiting headliners to include alto saxophonist Charles McPherson and trumpeter Marcus Belgrave.
– Velvet Lounge, 2128 1/2 S. Indiana Ave., 312-791-9050. Chicago tenor saxophonist Vandy Harris’ Ensemble plays on Friday; reedists Fred Anderson, Kidd Jordan and Ari Brown on Saturday and Sunday.
– Rituals, 537 S. Dearborn St., 312-922-3834. Diane Ellis and the Jazzy Ladies, Friday and Saturday; Kahil El’Zabar’s Ritual Trio on Sunday.
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Howard Reich cybercasts from the Jazz Festival at 2 p.m. Saturday. Go to metromix.com For a chat on America Online, go to keyword: Chicago.
