Chicago Jazz Festival on Labor Day Weekend
30th Annual Music Event on Windy City Lakefront August 28-31, 2008
Aug 23, 2008
Chicago Jazz Festival commemorates its 30th anniversary on Labor Day weekend with jazz greats Sonny Rollins and Ornette Coleman headlining. The long running music festival runs August 28-31, 2008 in Millennium Park and Grant Park. On August 28 a free concert is held at Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park. After the opening night at Millennium Park, the concert moves to Grant Park for three more days filled with free jazz music, August 29-31.
Jazz lovers gather to be engulfed in the enjoyment of the innovative, contemporary sounds of music. Chicago's Lake Michigan shore is a popular gathering spot for its scenery, lake breezes and special events.
Opening Night Millenium Park
The 30 year anniversary celebration begins at Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park at 6:30 pm on August 28. Rollins is one of the last of the originals, a contemporary of Miles Davis, Clifford Jordon and Max Roach. Rollins was among the inventors of the language of Behop.
Three Stages of Jazz Music at Grant Park
On August 29-31 the venue relocates to Grant Park on the Chicago lake front. Three stages of free music and activities fill the lake front from 11:00 am to 9:30 pm each day.
Edward Wilkerson, Jr., Chicago based composer, arranger, musician and educator is this year's artist in residence. Wilkerson kicks off the music at Jazz on Jackson Stage at noon of Friday, August 29. Wilkerson is known for founding the cutting edge 8 Bold Souls, with whom he performs on Sunday evening on the Petrillo Music Stage at Grant Park
Saxophonist/composer Ornette Coleman, known as the creator of what has been called 'free jazz' will close out the event on Sunday night at Petrillo Music Shell. Highlights of the weekend event include Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Dee Dee Bridgewater and more.
Grant Park on the lake front will fill with the cool sounds of jazz on three stages: Jazz on Jackson, Jazz & Heritage Stage and Petrillo Music stage. Jackson Stage features resident musicians and some out of town guests from noon to 4:30 pm.
The Jazz and Heritage Stage features a mix of music and informative programming and runs from 12:30 to 4:30 pm. The Jazz and Hip Hop Collision Stage located near Buckingham Fountain, features jazz and hip hop artists from Noon to 3:00 pm. Petrillo Stage, near the Rose Gardens adjacent to Buckingham Fountain, runs from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm.
Jazz Festival Art Fair
In honor of the 30th Annual Jazz Festival, artists Gerald Wilson, T.S. Galloway, Vijay Iyer and Dave Douglas have been commissioned to create a piece. An art fair will be featured in the rose garden between Jackson Blvd and Buckingham Fountain. Chicago restaurants will offer some of Chicago's favorite foods. Vendors will sell beer and soda to quench thirst.
Kids Activity Area
A new family oriented kid's activity area will debut this year. Special activities for youth can be found at the Jazz and Hip Hop Collision Stage and the Jazz and Heritage Stage.
The 30th Anniversary Jazz Festival is produced by the Chicago Mayor's Office of Special Events and programmed with the Jazz Institute of Chicago. Information in this article has been gathered from the websites of the Chicago Mayor's Office of Special Events and the Jazz Institute of Chicago.
The Chicago Mayor's Office encourages the use of public transportation for the Jazz Festival, which attracts a large crowd.
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