Hyde Park Jazz Festival draws record crowds

Hyde Park Herald

September 29, 2025 Updated September 29, 2025

By James Porter

Photo By Spencer Bibbs

If the Hyde Park Jazz Festival was ever a secret, the word has gotten around by now. 

While no attendance records have been revealed, established jazz veterans were almost drawing rock star numbers on Saturday, which was centered on the Midway Plaisance, but spread across 12 venues throughout the neighborhood. The gospel-infused sounds of the Soul Message Trio, featuring Chris Foreman on organ, packed them in at the Augustana Lutheran Church on 55th Street. The Paul Giallorenzo Trio played a set at the Logan Center Penthouse that was literally standing room only. This may or may not have been one of the last warm weekends of the year, but if we must say farewell to summer, this was a grand way to do it.

Sam LewisComment