The Chicago Jazz Festival, long a favorite among the summer music festivals, returns for Labor Day weekend, celebrating jazz of all types and highlighting local talent alongside international artists at events Aug. 31 through Sept. 3.

Produced by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and programmed by the Jazz Institute of Chicago, this year’s festival highlights include jazz legend Ron Carter and Foursight, singer Dianne Reeves, drummer and composer Makaya McCraven, and Juan de Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All Stars. Plus Chico Freeman will play the 100 Von Freeman Centennial tribute.

The Harris Theater Rooftop will also be included in the festival, with two evenings of performances, including the Young Lions Jazz Showcase featuring local high school talent and the Next Gen Jazz event. Meanwhile, performers including The Natalie Scharf Quartet and Bobbi Wilsyn will appear at the Chicago Cultural Center.

[ Chicagoan of the Year for Jazz: Drummer and composer Makaya McCraven  ]

The full schedule is below, details are subject to change.

Chicago Jazz Festival is Aug. 31-Sept. 3 at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St., and in Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.; free, more information at chicago.gov

Chicago Cultural Center Claudia Cassidy Theater, 2nd Floor North

• 11 a.m.-noon — The Live the Spirit Residency Young Masters
• 12:15-1:15 p.m. — Asian Improv, Francis Wong’s “Legends and Legacies”
• 2-3 p.m. — The Fred Jackson Quartet
• 3:15-5:15 p.m. — What is this thing called Jazz?

Chicago Cultural Center Preston Bradley Hall, 3rd Floor South

• 11 a.m.-noon — Zubin Edalji Quintet
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. — Zack Markstet, Performing Horace Silvers’ 1966 release “The Jody Grind”
• 2-3 p.m. — The Natalie Scharf Quartet
• 3:30-4:30 p.m. — Bobbi Wilsyn

Jay Pritzker Pavilion (Gates open at 5 p.m., enter off Randolph or Monroe)

• 6:30-7:30 p.m. — Chico Freeman -100 Von Freeman Centennial
• 8-9 p.m. — Ron Carter and Foursight

Millennium Park (Seating bowl and Great Lawn open at 2:45 p.m., any entrance to the park is a direct entrance to the event)

Von Freeman Pavilion, North Promenade

• 11:30-12:25 p.m. — Eric Hochberg String Thing
• 12:40-1:35 p.m. — Alexis Lombre Quartet
• 1:50-2:45 p.m. — Anthony Bruno Quartet
• 3 p.m.-4 p.m. — Jeb Bishop Quartet

Jay Pritzker Pavilion (Security gates open 2 hours before the event start time.)

• 4:15-5:05 p.m. — Juan Pastor Chinchano
• 5:25-6:10 p.m. — Walter Smith III Quartet
• 6:25-7:25 p.m. — Ari Brown Quintet
• 7:45-9 p.m. — SuperBlue: Kurt Elling & Charlie Hunter

Millennium Park (Seating bowl and Great Lawn open at 2:45 p.m., any entrance to the park is a direct entrance to the event)

Harris Theater Rooftop — Young Lions Jazz (Enter on Randolph Street)

• 11 a.m. — Chicago High School for the Arts
• 11:50 a.m. — Midwest Young Artists Conservatory
• 12:40 p.m. — Lane Tech College Prep High School
• 1:35 p.m.- Whitney Young High School
• 2:25 p.m. — New Trier High School
• 3:15 p.m. — Kenwood Academy High School

Von Freeman Pavilion, North Promenade

• 11:30 a.m.-12:25 p.m. — Alvin Cobb Jr.
• 12:40-1:35 p.m. — Devon Sandridge
• 1:50-2:45 p.m. — Theodis Rodgers Organ Trio
• 3-4 p.m. — Carmen Stokes

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

• 4:15-5:05 p.m. — T a.m.my McCann
• 5:25-6:10 p.m. — Brandee Younger
• 6:25-7:25 p.m. — Nduduzo Makhathini
• 7:45-9 p.m. — Makaya McCraven

Millennium Park (Seating bowl and Great Lawn open at 2:45 p.m., any entrance to the park is a direct entrance to the event)

Harris Theater Rooftop — Next Gen Jazz (Enter on Randolph Street)

• 11-11:40 a.m. — Saucedo Alumni Latin Jazz Collective
• 12-12:40 p.m. — Urban Horizons
• 1-1:40 p.m. — Charlie Reichert Powell & New River
• 2-2:40 p.m. — Neon Wilderness
• 3-3:40 p.m. — Mxmrys

Von Freeman Pavilion, North Promenade

• 11:30-12:25 p.m. — Herbsaint
• 12:40-1:35 p.m. — Tim Fitzgerald Wes Montgomery Project
• 1:50-2:45 p.m. — Christian Dillingham Quartet
• 3-4 p.m. — Petra’s Recession Seven

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

• 4:15-5:05 p.m. — The Pharez Whitted Quintet
• 5:25-6:10 p.m. — Chicago Soul Jazz Collective with Dee Alexander
• 6:25-7:25 p.m. — Billy Valentine
• 7:45-9 p.m. — Juan de Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All Stars

Originally Published: Aug 30, 2023 at 5:00 am