Call it the weekend of colossal pianism: Two of the mightiest keyboardists in jazz will be holding forth on opposite ends of the city Friday, October 23rd, 2009. Chuchito Valdes will be playing at Mandel Hall at the University of Chicago at 7:30. Cover is $25, and you can inquire about details by calling (773) 702-8068. The Willie Pickins Quartet will be playing The Green Mill Jazz Club at 8:00 pm & 9:00 pm. Cover is $12, and you can book tickets by calling (773) 878-5552.

Original Post: chicagotribune.com

Chuchito Valdes

On the South Side, Cuban pianist Chuchito Valdes, son of the magnificent Chucho Valdes and grandson of the revered Bebo Valdes, will launch the new Jazz Series at the University of Chicago’s Mandel Hall. And though jazz is nothing new for this room, which has presented the music for decades, a formalized jazz season seems as welcome as it is overdue.

The prospect of hearing the two-fisted Valdes at Mandel Hall is enticing, since he’s a larger-than-life figure who tends to dwarf most any performance space. The comparative intimacy of Mandel Hall should render his work all the more imposing.

Yet previous performances suggest that Valdes sometimes crosses a line separating power from bombast, creativity from grandiosity. At his best, he evokes the brilliance of Chucho Valdes without quite matching his father’s demonic virtuosity and encyclopedic repertoire (few pianists do). In other instances, Valdes can rely on glib keyboard cliches. He’ll be leading his quartet. Here’s hoping the venerable setting will inspire his better instincts.

University of Chicago’s Mandel Hall
1131 E. 57th St.
(773) 702-8068

Willie Pickens

On the North Side, at the Green Mill Jazz Club in Uptown, Chicago pianist Willie Pickens will celebrate the forthcoming release of “Live at the Green Mill, Vol. 1: Willie Pickens Quintet” (Green Mill Recordings). If all had gone according to plan, the CD on the club’s new label would have been ready to go. But in jazz, as in life, things unfold unpredictably, with Green Mill owner Dave Jemilo hoping the disc will be available for the Christmas shopping season.

Green Mill Jazz Club
4802 N. Broadway
Chicago, IL
(773) 878-5552
www.greenmilljazz.com

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