Chicago Now: Old listings (weekly)

Links may be out of date.

Sundays: jam session @ Velvet Lounge

The Velvet Lounge is Fred Anderson's south side bar at 2128 1/2 S. Indiana, 312/791-9050. Sundays 6:30-11:30: jam session with varying personnel including Dennis Winslett (alto sax), Jim Baker (piano), Josh Abrams (bass), Colby Watkins (drums), and others, plus sometimes Fred Anderson (tenor sax). Has been running for as long as I can remember.

Mondays: Improvised Music Workshop @ Myopic Books

Ran from 1994 or so through October 2001; started up again in 2002 on Tuesday nights. Organized at various times by Michael Colligan, Weasel Walter, Chad Organ, Kevin Drumm. Every Monday night at 7:30 pm at Myopic Books, 1468 N. Milwaukee, 773/862-4882. Admission was free.

Mondays: David Boykin @ Heartland

David Boykin (reeds) plus guests (often Bakari Davis (percussion)), every Monday at 10:00pm at the Heartland Cafe, 7000 N. Glenwood, 773/465-8005. Ran during the summer (& spring?) of 1999.

Tuesdays: Improvised Music Workshop @ Myopic Books

Ran on this night beginning in 2002, after a long run on Monday night. Organized by Robert Kudrle and Bruce Collet. Every Tuesday night at 7:30 pm at Myopic Books, 1468 N. Milwaukee, 773/862-4882. Admission is free.

Tuesdays: Experimental Big Band @ Rituals

"Every week, ten of the city's most famous improvisors will be testing the boundaries of jazz." Kahil El Zabar conducts; musicians include Harrison Bankhead, Bob Griffin, Ike Jackson, Dushon Mosley, Jodie Christian, Ernest Dawkins, Avreeayl Ra, and others. Rituals, 537 S. Dearborn, 312/922-3834. Ran March through November of 1998.

Wednesdays: The Ken & Jim Show @ Nevin's Live (Evanston)

The Ken & Jim Show featuring Ken Haebich (bass), Jim Gailloreto (saxophone), and guests. 9:00pm-midnight at Nevin's Live, 1460 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, 847/869-0450. Ran summer 2001 through fall 2002 (initially on Sunday nights).

Wednesdays: David Boykin Expanse @ Gerri's Palm Tavern

9:00pm at 446 E. 47th St., 773/373-6292. Featuring David Boykin (reeds). Ran in the first half or so of 2001.

Wednesdays: Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls @ Morseland

Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls (Ted Sirota (drums), Rob Mazurek (cornet), Jeff Parker (guitar), Kevin Kizer (sax), Noel Kupersmith (bass), sometimes with guests) every Wednesday night at Morseland, 1218 W. Morse, 773/764-6401, followed by instrumental rock by World of Courtesy (Marshall Dawson (guitar), Dan Polonsky (bass), Larry Beers (drums), Tim Mulvenna (drums)). Ran March through June, 1998.

Wednesdays: Velvet Lounge Inside/Outside Band @ Velvet Lounge

Wednesdays at 9:30: Jodie Christian (piano), Walter Henderson (trumpet), Dennis Winslett (alto sax), Mendi (bass), Colby Watkins (drums). Velvet Lounge, 2128 1/2 S. Indiana, 312/791-9050. Ran for much of 2000.

Wednesdays: Edwin Daugherty Quartet @ Velvet Lounge

Wednesdays at 9:30: Edwin Daugherty Quartet (Edwin Daugherty (reeds), Bobby Irving (keyboards), Darius Savage (bass), Dushun Mosley (drums)). Velvet Lounge, 2128 1/2 S. Indiana, 312/791-9050. Ran in late 2000.

Wednesdays: Orion Collective @ Velvet Lounge

Wednesday at 9:30: Orion Collective. Velvet Lounge, 2128 1/2 S. Indiana, 312/791-9050. Ran in 2001.

Thursdays: Ari Brown/Avreeayl Ra/Malachi Favors @ Velvet Lounge

Thursdays at 9:30: Ari Brown (reeds, piano), Avreeayl Ra (drums), Malachi Favors (bass). Velvet Lounge, 2128 1/2 S. Indiana, 312/791-9050. Ran in 1999 and 2000.

Thursdays: Jeff Parker Trio @ Pete Miller's (Evanston)

Jeff Parker Trio, Thursday nights at 8:30. No cover. Pete Miller's Steakhouse, 1557 Sherman, Evanston, 847/328-0399. Ran in 2002.

Thursdays: Ted Sirota Trio/Quartet @ Chase Cafe

Ted Sirota Trio/Quartet, Thursday nights at 10:00. Ted Sirota, drums, leader. Personnel varies, but may include Ryan Shultz (bass trumpet), Jason Roebke (bass). Chase Cafe, 7301 N. Sheridan. Ran in 2002.

Fridays (6:00): early Friday out sets @ HotHouse

Ran in 1999 and 2000. Fridays at 6:00, featuring "the best of Chicago improvisors". HotHouse, 31 E. Balbo, 312/362-9707.

Head Exam

Monthly series of free improvisation organized by Ken Vandermark at the HotHouse until the HotHouse's old location closed. There were a few installments at Chicago Filmmakers, in the summer of 1995, but nothing since. Believed extinct.

Chicago Eye and Ear Control

A series of concerts at Chicago Filmmakers combining film and live music and organized by Carolyn Faber and Ken Vandermark. Ran September-November 1995.

Face the Music

This is a contemporary classical series organized by Gene Coleman, usually featuring performances by Coleman's group Ensemble Noamnesia. There's often a free improv set after the programmed pieces end. Face the Music used to take place monthly at the HotHouse; it's now without a regular location.

Culture Club open jam

Quoting the 12/28/95 NewCity: Mondays 7:00pm, "Open jam with Ajaramu, Art Taylor, Billy Brimfield, John Adkins, Malachi Favors Maghostut, Paul Fenner. The Culture Club, 1351 S. Michigan, 922-6414." I am told that this weekly event is no longer taking place even though it may still be listed in the Reader.

Chicago Underground Orchestra @ Green Mill

Rob Mazurek (cornet), Jeff Parker (guitar), Josh Abrams (bass), Robert Barry (drums). Formerly (circa summer-fall 1996) every Sunday at 2:00 pm at the Green Mill.

Velvet Lounge

Past weekly gigs at the Velvet Lounge (all circa 1996-1997) include

Kelan Phil Cohran @ Heartland

Kelan Phil Cohran (trumpet, zither) and his ensemble, every Wednesday night at the Heartland Cafe, 7000 N. Glenwood, 773/465-8005. Ran in late 1996 and early 1997. Moved to Sunday afternoons at 3:00pm for much of 1997 and 1998.

Logan Beach Cafe

Logan Beach Cafe is located at 2537 N. Kedzie, 773/862-4277.

Spring-summer 1997: Fridays at 6:00, Laurie "The Eel" Moses and friends.

Fall 1997: Tuesdays at 7:00, Chicago Underground Orchestra (featuring Rob Mazurek (trumpet))

February-November 1997: varying days (Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays), Josh Abrams (bass), Ron Dewar (tenor sax, bass clarinet), Robert Barry (drums) trio

Fall 1997: Sundays at 7:30, Jeff Parker Quartet


Isotope 217 @ Chopin Theatre

Fall 1997: Isotope 217 (Rob Mazurek (cornet), Jeff Parker (guitar), Sara P. Smith (trombone), John Herndon (percussion), Dan Bitney (percussion)) every Tuesday at 9:30 at the Chopin Theatre, 1543 W. Division, 773/907-2189.

Saturdays: David Boykin @ Another Level

David Boykin (reeds), Bakari Davis (drums), sometimes with guests, every Saturday at 10:00pm at Another Level, 1570 1/2 N. Damen. Ran in March and April of 1999.

Wednesdays: Niki Mitchell Band @ Some Like It Black

Wednesdays, 9:00pm. 1904 S. Michigan, 312/225-4140. Ran for most of 1999.

Fridays: David Boykin @ Some Like It Black

David Boykin (tenor sax, bass clarinet) and guests, every Friday, 5:00-9:00pm. 1904 S. Michigan, 312/225-4140. Ran for most of 1999.