Sept. 03--The busiest jazz weekend of the year begins Friday, with musicians celebrated and yet-to-be-discovered crowding the stages of the 37th annual Chicago Jazz Festival.
Following are particularly promising sets, all events taking place at Millennium Park, near Randolph Street and Michigan Avenue, and all are free (except for efter fest shows). For more information, visit www.chicagojazzfestival.us or www.jazzinchicago.org or phone 312-744-3316.
Friday
Rajiv Halim: A large crowd turned out at the Jazz Showcase recently to hear saxophonist Halim celebrate the release of his debut album as bandleader, "Foundation." Now he brings that music to a wider audience. Noon, Von Freeman Pavilion
Spin Quartet: I haven't heard this ensemble live, but the extraordinary solos that trumpeter Chad McCullough produced recently in the company of saxophonist Steve Coleman at Millennium Park instantly piqued interest. He'll collaborate with saxophonist Geof Bradfield, bassist Clark Sommers and drummer Kobie Watkins. 12:30 p.m., Jazz and Heritage Pavilion
Art Hoyle Sextet: Octogenarian Hoyle ranks among Chicago's most beloved his musicians, thanks to the silvery poetry of trumpet work and the gravelly grandeur of his vocals. He'll pay tribute to trumpeter Clark Terry, who died in February at age 94. 2 p.m., Jazz and Heritage Pavilion
Bobby Lewis Sextet: Boundless optimism and melodic beauty course through Lewis' work. One hopes this appearance sets the stage for a major 80th birthday tribute to Lewis in Millennium Park next year. 3:30 p.m., Jazz and Heritage Pavilion
Chico and George Freeman: Only Von Freeman, among Chicago's legendary jazz musicians, has a Chicago Jazz Festival stage named after him, and the Freeman family legacy rolls on with this show. Saxophonist Chico Freeman and his uncle, guitarist George Freeman, celebrate the release of their album "All in the Family." 5 p.m., Pritzker Pavilion
Jose James: Though not strictly a jazz singer, James earlier this year released a persuasive tribute to one of this year's important musical centennials, "Yesterday I Had the Blues: The Music of Billie Holiday." 6 p.m., Pritzker Pavilion
Fred Hersch Trio: Pianist Hersch's music can be ethereally beautiful or a bit precious. At his best, though, Hersch produces an impressionistic pianism of surpassing subtlety. He'll lead his great trio, with bassist John Hebert and drummer Eric McPherson. 7:10 p.m., Pritzker Pavilion
Saturday
Juan Pastor's Chinchano: The Chicago percussionist has made important strides in intertwining music of his native Peru with all-American jazz, crafting a music at once personal and complex yet utterly accessible. 2 p.m., Jazz and Heritage Pavilion
Dave Douglas: One of the most inspired trumpet soloists of our time, Douglas will perform with the Columbia College Jazz Ensemble, reviving a partnership they initiated at the Jazz Showcase last March. 2:50 p.m., Chicago Community Trust Young Jazz Lions Stage
Ryan Cohan: A Chicago pianist of ever-expanding reach, Cohan has done some of his most probing work in long-form compositions such as "The River" and "One Sky." Here he'll work with musicians who have collaborated successfully with him: vibraphonist Joe Locke, bassist Lorin Cohen and drummer George Fludas. 3:30 p.m., Von Freeman Pavilion
Dee Dee Bridgewater: A towering presence, Bridgewater always sounds as big as all outdoors, so she should feel right at home under the stars in Millennium Park. 8:30 p.m., Pritzker Pavilion
Sunday
Kenwood Academy High School Jazz Band: The ensemble will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) playing arrangements by AACM cellist-composer Tomeka Reid. 3:45 p.m., Chicago Community Trust Young Jazz Lions Stage
Jeff Parker Trio: Chicago jazz lost a compelling voice when guitarist Parker moved to the West Coast, but his periodic returns are always welcome. He'll collaborate with bassist Chris Lopes and drummer Chad Taylor. 5 p.m., Pritzker Pavilion
Muhal Richard Abrams' Experimental Band: The festival's AACM's 50th anniversary tribute culminates with pianist-composer Abrams leading a revival of the Experimental Band, which he founded in Chicago in 1962. Personnel will include Roscoe Mitchell, Henry Threadgill, Wadada Leo Smith, George Lewis, Amina Claudine Myers, Thurman Barker and Reggie Nicholson. 8:30 p.m., Pritzker Pavilion
After Fest shows
Jazz Showcase: 806 S. Plymouth Court: Ira Sullivan and guests. 9 p.m. Friday through Sunday; $20-$35; 312-360-0234 or www.jazzshowcase.com
Constellation: 3111 N. Western Ave.: Kidd Jordan, Alvin Fielder and others. 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; $15-$20; www.constellation-chicago.com
Hairpin Arts Center: 2810 N. Milwaukee Ave., second floor: Mwata Bowden, Tatsu Aoki, Edward Wilkerson, Jr. Dushun Mosley, Hanah Jon Taylor, Francis Wong, Kioto Aoki and others. 10 p.m. Saturday; $10-$15; 773-437-6966 or www.hairpinartscenter.org
Fred Anderson Park: 1611 S. Wabash Ave.: Kidd Jordan Quartet. Noon Sunday; free; Facebook users can visit www.facebook.com/fredandersonpark
hreich@tribpub.com
