No single weekend could sum up the breadth and majesty of Chicago jazz, but the next three days will make a heroic attempt.
Avant-garde bands, classic bebop organizations, master pianists, aspiring vocalists — a vast range of Chicago artists will appear on three stages in Grant Park, near Columbus Drive and Jackson Boulevard. So will major visiting artists, from groundbreaking composer Ornette Coleman to brilliant vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater to Latin-jazz master Eddie Palmieri.
Granted, the acoustic flaws and dubious production values of the setting represent a major comedown from events earlier this week at the Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park. Still, the combination of free entry and a holiday weekend will attract throngs, if weather permits.
For more information on the Chicago Jazz Festival, which is produced by the Mayor’s Office of Special Events and programmed by the non-profit Jazz Institute of Chicago, go to chicagojazzfestival.us or jazzinchicago.org.
Recommended shows are marked with an arrow (*).
Friday
Jazz on Jackson Stage
* Noon: Isotope 217 — Rob Mazurek and Jeff Parker are among members of the electro-acoustic band, which counts Sun Ra as a primary influence and spans many genres.
* 1:10 p.m. Jazz Guitar Summit, with Curtis Robinson, John Moulder, Jeff Parker and Buddy Fambro, joined by drummer Robert Shy and bassist Josh Abrams — Musical styles will clash or converge (or both) when Robinson, Moulder, Parker and Fambro meet.
* 2:20 p.m. Alison Ruble Quartet — The Chicago singer celebrates the release of her CD “This is a Bird.”
* 3:30 p.m. Jazz Has the Blues, with George Freeman, Billy Branch, Ari Brown and Corey Wilkes — Bluesman Billy Branch shares the stage with jazz artists Freeman on guitar, Brown on tenor saxophone and Wilkes on trumpet.
Jazz & Heritage Stage
* 12:30 p.m. Kenwood Academy Jazz Band, with guest Nicole Mitchell — Mitchell, an uncommonly versatile flutist, collaborates with student musicians.
* 2 p.m. History of Jazz, with Ron Perrillo — Here’s hoping Perrillo, one of the best and most underrated pianists in Chicago jazz, does more playing than talking.
3:30 p.m. Jimmy’s Jam Session — Featuring Curtis Black Quartet, plus Ahmad Salaheldeen, Edward House and Zaid Krisberg.
Petrillo Music Shell
*5 p.m. T .S. Galloway’s Tribute to Capt. Walter Dyett, with Julian Priester, Ari Brown, Mwata Bowden and Edwin Daugherty — Trombonist Galloway unveils a composition he wrote in tribute to legendary jazz educator Capt. Walter Dyett, performed by Dyett alums.
* 6 p.m. AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians) Tribute, with Roscoe Mitchell, Wadada Leo Smith, Amina Claudine Myers, Michael Logan and Thurman Barker — Several major figures in the AACM, a collective of innovative South Side jazz musicians, celebrate the indispensable organization.
* 7:10 p.m. Dee Dee Bridgewater — Tribute to Betty Carter with Mulgrew Miller, Ira Coleman and Kenny Washington. One of the most accomplished female vocalists in jazz, Bridgewater will pay homage to Carter, who influenced generations.
* 8:30 p.m. Eddie Palmieri Latin Jazz Band — The inventive bandleader-composer-pianist remains a creative force in Latin jazz.
Saturday
Jazz on Jackson Stage
Noon: Jo Ann Daugherty Quartet — The singer-pianist has released two CDs, “Debut” and “Range of Motion,” on Blujazz.
* 1:10 p.m. Chicago Bass Masters, with Larry Gray, Harrison Bankhead, Robert “Baabe” Irving III, Charles Heath, Art Hoyle and Edward Wilkerson Jr. — Bassists Gray and Bankhead will be joined by some of the most accomplished instrumentalists in Chicago jazz.
* 2:20 p.m. John Wright Quartet — A veteran of many decades in Chicago jazz, pianist Wright embraces the blues.
* 3:30 p.m. Larry Gray, Willie Pickens and Joel Spencer — The bassist performs with nimble Chicago rhythm players.
Jazz & Heritage Stage
12:30 p.m. James Sanders’ Conjunto — Sanders leads a band that taps various currents in Latin jazz.
2 p.m. Percussion Discussion, with Thurman Barker — Barker ranks as an important figure, but does anyone really want to attend a discussion at a jazz festival?
3:30 p.m. Walter Dyett: Remembering a Jazz Warrior — See Percussion Discussion above.
Petrillo Music Shell
* 4:30 p.m. Remembering Franz Jackson, with Eric Schneider, Art Hoyle, Tom Hope, Dan DeLorenzo and Robert Cousins — Saxophonist Schneider pays tribute to Chicago jazz legend Jackson, who died in May at age 95.
* 5 p.m. Pharez Whitted Sextet — One of these days, this larger-than-life Chicago trumpeter will get his due.
* 6 p.m. Vijay Iyer Quintet — Pianist Iyer, one of the most promising young innovators in jazz, plays the first of this evening’s three world-premiere commissioned compositions.
* 7:10 p.m. Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy — Douglas, an innovative composer and inspired solo improviser, unveils a newly commissioned work, performed by a band inspired by Lester Bowie.
* 8:30 p.m. Gerald Wilson Orchestra — Octogenarian composer Wilson, who years earlier was commissioned by the Chicago Jazz Festival to write his “State Street Sweet,” presents another new work.
Sunday
Jazz on Jackson Stage
*Noon: Frank D’Rone Quartet — What a pity that D’Rone, a superior Chicago singer-guitarist, didn’t get a slot at the Petrillo Music Shell main stage.
* 1:10 p.m. Chicago Keys, with Bob Dogan and Jim Trompeter — Two Chicago pianists with starkly divergent styles share the bill.
* 2:20 p.m. Josh Berman and His Gang — The edgy Chicago cornetist collaborates with several comparably experimental players, including clarinetist Guillermo Gregorio and trombonist Jeb Bishop.
3:30 p.m. Sean Jones Sextet — Jones holds a chair in the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
Jazz & Heritage Stage
12:30 p.m. Vijay Iyer: Composer Talk — More talk at a music festival.
* 2 p.m. Art of the Solo, with Julian Priester and Jimmy Bennington — Priester appears in his hometown only occasionally, making this event worth catching.
* 3:30 p.m. Karl Montzka Quartet — Playing Hammond B-3 organ, Montzka partners with guitarist John McLean, bass trumpeter Ryan Schultz and drummer Eric Montzka (the keyboardist’s brother).
Petrillo Music Shell
* 5 p.m. Ron Dewar Quintet — One of the most subtle and accomplished reedists in Chicago, Dewar makes a rare foray into the spotlight.
* 6 p.m. Instant Composer Pool Orchestra — After 40-plus years, Misha Mengelberg and Han Bennink’s explosive Dutch orchestra still has the power to shock.
* 7:10 p.m. 8 Bold Souls with Dee Alexander — In an extraordinarily promising collaboration, Chicago’s 8 Bold Souls, a long-running, fearlessly experimental band, shares the stage with vocalist Alexander.
* 8:30 p.m. Ornette Coleman — Possibly the most anticipated event of the festival features an irrepressibly creative improviser and composer.
After-fest shows
Though Chicago jazz clubs thrive 52 weeks a year, a number of venues feature special attractions at about 10 p.m., after the crowds swarm out of Grant Park:
Jazz Showcase — 806 S. Plymouth Ct.; $20; 312-360-0234. Multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan and Friends; Friday-Sunday.
Velvet Lounge — 67 E. Cermak Rd.; $20; 312-291-9050. Great Black Music Ensemble, with guests, Friday; Fred Anderson, Kidd Jordan, Harrison Bankhead, Isaiah Spencer and guests, Saturday and Sunday.
Katerina’s — 1920 W. Irving Park Rd.; $10; 773-348-7592. After Fest with the Southport All-Stars features Bobby Lewis, Bradley Parker-Sparrow, Dave Gordon, Joanie Pallatto, April Aloisio, Geraldo de Oliveira and Eric Hochberg; Saturday.
DANK-Haus German Cultural Center — 4740 N. Western Ave.; free; 773-561-9181. The Soul Power Trio, staffed by Karl E. H. Seigfried, Aaron Getsug and Chris Avgerin; Friday and Saturday.
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hreich@tribune.com
