Hyde Park Jazz Fest Offers Diverse, Progressive Program

DownBeat Magazine

By Michael Jackson

On the afternoon of Sept. 25, mulling over how to open this review as I ambled between the music stages on Midway Plaisance, a verdant stretch of Chicago’s South Side, the perfection of the summer-to-fall weather that has blessed this 10-years-young indoor/outdoor festival came to mind. Moments later, skies cracked unexpectedly and the first aggressive downpour I can recall during the history of this two-day event ensued.

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National Race Conversation Pervades the Music of Two Groups at Hyde Park Jazz Festival ’16

The Yardbird Suite

By Dominic Guanzon

Race is weighing deeply on the national consciousness whether we want it to or not. No matter how we argue the issues, we can’t argue that the issue of minority-police relations has had a lasting impact on the 2016 Presidential Election, the use of social media, the way local government interacts with citizenry, and – from my student experience – the collegiate discussion experience.

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Hyde Park Jazz Festival 2016

All About Jazz

By Mark Corroto

Regard the Hyde Park Jazz Festival as you would your favorite restaurant, where it just so happens that you are best friends with the chef. You have an embarrassment of riches because everything on the menu, which is fresh and delicious, organic, and mostly locally sourced, is free to you. When they do feature a special from out-of-town it is always innovative and original. Only one problem, you can only dine there once a year.

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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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