Chicago Now:
Old listings (weekly)
Links may be out of date.
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.
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.
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.
Jeff Parker Trio, Thursday nights at 8:30. No cover.
Pete Miller's Steakhouse, 1557 Sherman, Evanston, 847/328-0399. Ran in 2002.
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
- Eight Bold Souls on Thursdays
- Tony Mujica Sextet on Fridays
- Ernest Dawkins Trio on Saturdays
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.
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.