Vocalist Cassandra Wilson, saxophonists Joe Lovano and David Sanchez, trumpeter Roy Hargrove and Chicago composer-bandleader Orbert Davis will headline the 33d annual Chicago Jazz Festival, running Sept. 1 through 4.
Continuing a recent trend, the free festival will unfold beyond Grant Park, with performances at the Chicago Cultural Center, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park and Ganz Hall at Roosevelt University.
The event will open with Rich Corpolongo, Mwata Bowden and other Chicago artists performing from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
Next, pianist Randy Weston will partner with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble in arrangements by Melba Liston, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 1 at the Pritzker Pavilion, near Randolph Drive and Michigan Avenue.
Trumpeter-bandleader Davis, the festival’s artist-in-residence this year, will lead his trio at 5 p.m. Sept. 2 at Ganz Hall at Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan Ave.
Then the action returns to Millennium Park, as Bobby Broom and the Deep Blue Organ Trio, with guest saxophonist Bobby Watson, perform at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Pritzker Pavilion; a Saxophone Summit with Joe Lovano, David Liebman and Ravi Coltrane will take the stage at 8 p.m.
Sept. 3 and 4 performances will be staged in Grant Park, near Columbus Drive and Jackson Boulevard. Headliners at the Petrillo Music Shell will include Maurice Brown, Geri Allen, Davis’ Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble and singer Wilson, on Sept. 3. Mike Reed’s new Myth/Science Assembly; Ira Sullivan’s 80th Birthday Celebration; Sanchez with Stefon Harris; and trumpeter Hargrove, on Sept. 4.
For further details, phone 312-744-3316 or chicagojazzfestival.us.
Twitter @howardreich
