 Highlighting
some of the music Chicago is known for, the annual Chicago Jazz Festival
says goodbye to summer and hello to fall. One of the most prestigious jazz
festivals in the United States, it is held annually the Friday through Sunday
before Labor Day. The main festival is held in Grant Park with performances
at its main stage, the Petrillo Music Shell. Jazz performances are usually
held in other parts of the city as well such as the Cultural Center, Symphony
Hall, and several jazz clubs throughout the city. This festival is the longest
running free lakefront music event in Chicago. The festival originated in
1979 when different organizations all wanted to honor and celebrate jazz
music in Chicago.
The weekend begins on Thursday evening with a special performance by
big name jazz musicians (usually a tribute concert). Tickets for this
opening night performance are usually between $22 and $49 dollars. The
rest of the festival can be enjoyed for free. On Friday afternoon, Grant
Park becomes the home base for all the free music and entertainment. Friday,
Saturday and Sunday nights all have "headliners" in their line
up, but wonderful jazz musicians and singers perform throughout the entire
day. Jazz performers are local, national and international talent. Performers
vary from year to year, but look for the Branford Marsalis Quartet, Freddy
Cole, McCoy Tyner, Shelia Jordan, Dave Holland Big Band, Elvin Jones'
Jazz Machine, Karin Allyson and many, many more.
 Food
and beverages are a big part of all Chicago festivals, and they are represented
at the Jazz festival as well. While restaurants change from year to year,
usually Robinson's Ribs, Billy Goat Tavern and other famous Chicago restaurants
have a booth here. There are probably less then ten food booths and most
are quick food, so if you want a nicer meal you should either pack a picnic
to eat on the lawn or make plans for dinner beforehand. Note: no alcohol
may be brought in and should be purchased at the beer counter. Food and
drink items must be purchased through tickets. As of this writing, 11
tickets were available for $7.
Booths are setup throughout the festival promoting jazz education and
jazz awareness. Radio stations, magazine and newspapers usually have booths
set up as long as local artists selling artwork and handmade crafts. The
art fair is setup on the rose garden which stretches between the Petrillo
Music Shell and Chicago's famous Buckingham Fountain.
 Celebrating
jazz doesn't stop at the Festival. All of Chicago partakes in all things
jazz during this weekend. Around the time of the Jazz Festival the public
radio station and Cultural Center usually organize jazz related events.
To keep the music going after the last performance, many local clubs sponsor
after-fest sets starting around 10 pm. Check out Green Mill, Jazz Showcase,
Velvet Lounge, Andy's Jazz Club, or Hothouse, which are just a few of
the good jazz clubs in the city which are open to all hours of the night.
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