Hyde Park Jazz Festival celebrates 10 years

Hyde Park Herald

By Meredith Ogilvie

First time artists and seasoned musicians performed at several venues in Hyde Park during the 10th annual Hyde Park Jazz Fest (HPJF), Sept. 24-25. Despite some rain, the two-day event was enjoyed by those who attended.

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Miguel Zenon, Randy Weston and other stars play 10th Hyde Park Jazz Festival

Chicago Tribune

By Howard Reich

For its 10th anniversary, the Hyde Park Jazz Festival has put together its most dynamic lineup yet, at least on paper.

As always, all the performances are free and will take place in venues across the neighborhood on Saturday, and on the Midway Plaisance on Sunday.

Following is an annotated guide to the most promising events. For the complete schedule, visit www.hydeparkjazzfestival.org.

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Musicians tune in to Hyde Park Jazz Festival

Hyde Park Herald

By Allison Matyus

The 10th Annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival features about 200 musicians on its diverse lineup scattered over 13 stages with 34 shows. Some of those 200 musicians are South Side locals who are honored to play in their own backyard.

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Miguel Zenon world premiere

Chicago Tribune

By Howard Reich

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the Hyde Park Jazz Festival commissioned alto saxophonist and MacArthur Fellowship winner Miguel Zenon to create a work he could perform with Chicago's Spektral Quartet.

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Randy Weston

Chicago Reader

By Peter Margasak

Pianist Randy Weston turned 90 this year, but by all accounts he’s undiminished by age. He was integral to the development of hard bop in the 1950s—he wrote standards such as “Berkshire Blues” and “Hi-Fly”—and since then he’s become a thoughtful extender of its reach.

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Matana Roberts

Chicago Reader

By Peter Margasak

It’s impossible to guess what any given performance by Matana Roberts will entail—especially a solo set. The reedist, composer, and Chicago native’s two most recent albums are both solo efforts, and they could hardly be more different.

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African roots, Middle Eastern extensions in Hyde Park Jazz Fest

Arts Journal: Jazz Beyond Jazz

By Howard Mandel

Pianist Randy Weston, a magisterial musician at age 90 inspired by jazz traditions and its African basics, and trumpeter Amir ElSaffar, who has devoted himself to incorporating the Middle East’s modal, microtonal maqam legacy into compositions for jazz improvisation by members of his Two Rivers Ensemble, were highlights of last weekend’s 10th annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival. Both acts brought influences from afar back home.

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Straight Ahead Jazz Camp gathers up the stars

Chicago Tribune

By Howard Reich

The complete lineup for the 10th annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival, running Sept. 24 and 25 across the South Side neighborhood, will feature Dana Hall discussing his 2015 work "The Hypocrisy of Justice"; Willie Pickens Quartet; Matt Ulery's Loom; Thaddeus Tukes/Isaiah Collier Duo; Roy McGrath/Bill Cessna Duo; Clark Sommers' Ba(SH); Lorin Cohen Group; Quentin Coaxum Quintet; Marvin Tate's Weight of Rage; Maggie Brown; Orbert Davis Sextet's "Tribute to Freddie Hubbard"; Douglas Ewart and Orbit; Chicago Jazz Orchestra; and Marquis Hill's Blacket, among others.

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Jazz festival brings Hyde Park to its feet

The Columbia Chronicle

By Copy Chief

Attendees danced on the pavement of Midway Plaisance Sept. 27 as the Willie Pickens Quartet grooved through the jazz standard “Afro Blue” at the ninth annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival. 

Pianist Pickens said little throughout the performance, but his excited energy had the audience clapping along and dancing in the street by the final number. 

“I wanted [the audience] to take away that jazz is still alive, and jazz is music that can make you feel good,” Pickens said after hisband’s performance. 

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Tomeka Reid 'Hear in Now' on WHPK 9/27

WHPK 88.5 FM Chicago

September 27, 2015

Tomeka Reid and her "Hear & Now" trio will perform live on WHPK 88.5 FM September 27th at 9AM. Howard Mandel, president of the "Jazz Journalists Association" will be the guest DJ. This will be an exciting program concurrent with the Hyde Park Jazz Festival.

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