All Your Jazz » Chicago

Jazz At The Mecca Supper Club In Chicago

jazzman — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 09:42:17 +0000

Edison Park’s premiere restaurant, this great establishment is known first and foremost for their perfectly grilled steaks, fresh daily fish & seafood specials, hearty pastas, original sandwiches & burgers, and piping hot fresh MECCA pizza. All of which is served in a relaxing environment surrounding you with the feel of a Northwoods Lodge.

In addition to serving Lunch & Dinner fare, they also feature a lumberjack style breakfast menu every Sunday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm and also have karaoke & dancing every Thursday, Friday, & Saturday nights after 10:30 pm until closing. The kitchen is open until 1:00 am on these nights and they also deliver!

Every Wednesday night, they have a featured jazz band take the stage. The band, “Freakeasy,” as they are called consists of Pat Mallinger, Dan Trudell, Brian O’Hern, & Gerald Dowd. They go on stage at 9:00 pm. Be sure to ask for them as well as more information about their upcoming shows.

Upcoming Events:

For a list of all upcoming events, please check their Calendar.

Details:

Operation Hours:
Monday – Friday (11:00 am – 2:00 am)
Saturday (4:00 pm – 3:00 am)
Sunday (10:00 am – 2:00 am)

Delivery Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 12 p.m. -10 p.m.
Friday: 12 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday: 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday: 2 p.m. – 9 p.m.

-Live karaoke & dancing (Thurs – Sat night after 10:30 pm).
-Hearty Sunday Breakfast Entrees from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

-Jazz can be heard Wednesday nights, starting at 9:00 pm

Location:
The Mecca Supper Club
6666 N Northwest Highway
Chicago, IL 60631
(773) 775-1077
www.meccasupperclub.com

In Chicago You Need Jazz On Wednesdays: Visit the Empty Bottle and get your fix

jazzman — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 02:03:32 +0000

Since January 3, 1996, the Empty Bottle has featured jazz, improvised music, and related idioms every Wednesday night. Selected and programmed by reed-player Ken Vandermark and writer, educator John Corbett, the series emphasizes the most original, exciting new music the genres have to offer.

They bring established stars of the vanguard and emerging artists from Europe and other American locales to the Empty Bottle, featuring groups and individuals drawn from the many parts of Chicago’s own rich sonic amalgam. Though the series maintains a jazz core, it is open to many forms of creative music, including total improvisation, free jazz, experimental composition, swing-based post-bop, tone-color improvisation, texturalist minimalism, and out-rock.

As part of the series, John and Ken also program a festival every spring, The Empty Bottle Festival of Jazz and Improvised Music. This critically acclaimed festival has brought in lauded performers from all over the United States and the world. Also, as well as being chock full of excellent music, it features absolutely stunning posters and T-Shirts designed by Dan Grzeca.

Upcoming Events:

For upcoming events, please contact them by phone.
Their jazz series is put together on the fly, and they
tend to change it up a bit.

Offering Food, Drink, & Jazz Entertainment, so you
can get the full experience.

Location:
The Empty Bottle
1035 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL
(773) 276-3600
http://www.emptybottle.com/jazzseries.php

Green Mill Cocktail Lounge in Chicago

jazzman — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:47:43 +0000

The Green Mill is sophisticated informality, warm glowing atmosphere steeped in the heady sounds of the early ’30s and ’40s; it was actually patterned after Clark Monroe’s Uptown House in Harlem (as it was during the ’40s). Uniquely comfortable to all audiences from the sequined Saturday night date to the progressively dressed offbeat student, the magic of the Mill is that the audience commingles in its mutual respect for the music.

JAZZ – dixieland, traditional, bebop, contemporary, progressive – played by such legendary figures as Von Freeman, Franz Jackson and Wilbur Campbell, as well as young lions Kurt Elling, Eric Alexander and Orbert Davis. All capture the broad spectrum of jazz from its root rhythms in New Orleans to New York avant-garde. Deep smokey jazz sounds fill the club in the early morning hours when soulful musicians continue to express their love of jazz by jamming ’til the early dawn.

History:

Throughout its uproarious history, The Green Mill Jazz Club has played host to a number of famous – and often infamous – celebrities. Opened in 1907 as Pop Morse’s Roadhouse, the “Mill” was a stopping place for mourners to celebrate the passing of a friend before proceeding to St. Boniface’s Cemetery.

By 1910, new owners had converted the roadhouse into the Green Mill Gardens, complete with lantern-lit outdoor dancing and drinking areas, and boasting such headliners as Al Jolson, Eddie Cantor and Sophie Tucker.

Actors Wallace Beery and Bronco Billy Anderson also visited the Gardens, hitching their horses to the outdoor post and settling down for a drink after a days work filming westerns at nearby Spoor and Anderson Studios.

As the twenties roared, The Green Mill became mobster territory when Al Capone’s henchman, “Machinegun” Jack McGurn, gained a 25% ownership of the club. Manager Danny Cohen had given McGurn the 25% stake to “persuade” comedian/singer Joe E. Lewis from moving his act south to the New Rendezvous Café at Clark and Diversey. McGurn managed to convince Lewis by slitting his throat and cutting off his tongue.

Miraculously, Lewis recovered, but his songs never regained their lush sound. The incident was later immortalized in the movie The Joker is Wild, with Frank Sinatra as Joe E. Lewis and a Hollywood sound stage as The Green Mill. Of course, his interest piqued, Sinatra had to visit the club.

Throughout the 1930s, ’40s, and 50s, The Green Mill continued to pack ‘em in with a heady mix of swing, dance and jazz music. Uptown crowds from the Aragon Ballroom or Uptown and Riviera Theaters would “stop in for one” before or after shows. Business began to slip in the mid-seventies, and in 1986, present owner Dave Jemilo bought The Green Mill and restored it to its prohibition-era, speakeasy décor.

Today, The Green Mill, in keeping with owner Dave Jemilo’s philosophy for a proper mix of down-to-earth friendliness and class, maintains an authenticity of the ’40s in service, price and music, perfected upon with the steady Sunday night performance of the internationally acclaimed Uptown Poetry Slam, which began at the Mill in 1986.

Upcoming Events:

For a list of their upcoming events, please visit their Calendar page.

Open 7 days/week

Hours & Show Times:
Most shows begin at 9:00pm
-often a 2nd sets run, beginning at 1:00am
-Sunday also includes afternoon shows, beginning at 2:00 pm

Pricing:
Varies based on performance, usually $6 (occasionally no cover)

Location:
Green Mill Jazz Club
4802 N. Broadway Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640
773.878.5552
www.greenmilljazz.com

Check Out Andy’s Jazz Club & Restaurant: Jazz is alive in Chicago

jazzman — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:21:13 +0000

Named “Most Popular Jazz Club” during the 27th Annual Chicago Music Awards, this place has earned a great reputation for itself, offering an amazing atmosphere, great acoustics, and of course world class musicians.

In addition to their great selection of music, they also offer some fabulous choices for dining. From appetizers and salads to full course entrees, their selection will satisfy any pallet. Their pastas and pizzas are highly recommended, so you’re sure to have great experience at this joint.

One of Chicago’s best-known and most-respected Jazz establishments, historic Andy’s offers casually sophisticated dining with a musical menu of Chicago’s top Jazz Artists.

Local performers cover a range of styles from traditional and swing to bop, fusion, Latin and Afro-Pop. Their “Spotlight Performer Series” events showcase some of today’s most “in demand” world touring musicians in an intimate setting.

Upcoming Events:

For a list of their live shows, please visit their Calendar page.

Contact Information:

General Info: info@andysjazzclub.com

Dinner Reservations: reservation@andysjazzclub.com

Large Party Inquiries: parties@andysjazzclub.com

Music Bookings: info@andysjazzclub.com

Location:

Andy’s Jazz Club & Restaurant
11 E. Hubbard St.
Chicago, IL 60611
312-642-6805
http://www.andysjazzclub.com

Check Out The Velvet Lounge: Your key to jazz in Chicago

jazzman — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 04:11:25 +0000

Fred Anderson opened The Velvet Lounge in 1982 after his other club, The Birdhouse, was shut down due to city zoning ordinances. Functioning mainly as the center for experimental jazz in New York, it is the place to go to see progressive jazz and get a feel for what is on the cutting edge.

In 2006 it moved just around the corner from its first locationand listeners give good reviews of the much-improved acoustics. In terms of visibility, reviewers also applaud the establishment. You can see pretty well from the bar area as well in the back (unlike some jazz clubs).

The best feature about The Velvet Lounge is the comfortable and “cozy” atmosphere. Because it is host to local players, it gives you the feel that you’re in your living room. Full of character, the venue is a must see if you are in the area.

“If you want an authentic jazz joint that has a local jazz legend
in it every day look no further than to the lounge. I think the
velvet lounge is the epitomy of what chicago jazz is. The look,
smell, and sounds of the this place are unmatchable.”
- Swaney (reviewer)

Upcoming Events:

For a list of upcoming events, visit their site and click on “Calendar” (at the bottom)

Cover:
$10 weeknights
$20 Fridays and Saturdays
$5 Sunday (that’s a deal)

Hours:
Monday (7:30 pm -2:00 am)
Tuesday-Sunday (8:00 pm -2:00 am)

Show Times:
Tues.-Thurs: 8:30pm
Fri.-Sun: 9:30pm

Location:
The Velvet Lounge
67 E. Cermak Road
Chicago, Illinois 60616
phone number: (312) 791-9050

Katerina’s Bar & Bistro Among The Best Venues In Chicago

jazzman — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:13:21 +0000

Katerina’s Bar & Bistro in Chicago provides an environment intimate enough to be a great local hangout but also classy enough to invite some of the greatest names in jazz. Offering live music Monday through Saturday, many have become acquainted with its eclectic scene, ranging from jazz and latin to funk, blues, and even international music.

There is a cover charge for all live shows, with the exception of their weekly early Friday Jazz Show from 6:30pm – 9:00pm.

Upcoming Events:

Wed, Oct. 8th: Kriste Peoples Trio (8:30pm) – $5 Cover
Thur, Oct. 9th: Eastern Blok (8:30pm) – $7 Cover
Fri, Oct. 10th: Kimberly Gordon With Tom Hope On Piano (6:30pm – 9:00pm) – No Cover
A Night of Strings! (10:00pm) – $10 Cover
Alfonso Ponticelli’s Gypsy-Jazz & Flamenco

Sat, Oct. 11th: TBA (6:30pm – 9:00pm)
Les Getrex & Creole Cookin’ (10:00pm) – $10 Cover
Mon, Oct. 13th: Jeannie Lampert CD Celebration with Andy Brown (8:30pm) – $5 Cover
Tues, Oct. 14th: DAS GRAND TOUR L’AMOUR with Chanteuse Suzanne Petri & Musical Director Bob Moreen (8:00pm) – $10 Cover
Wed, Oct. 15th: Elliniko Boite Katerina & Andreas Georgas (Piano) Andreas Kalasountas (Guitar & Vocals) (8:30pm)
Thur, Oct. 16th: Uptown Strings (8:30pm) – $5 Cover
Fri, Oct. 17th: Kimberly Gordon (6:30pm – 9:30pm) – No Cover
Steve Gibons Gypsy-Rhythm Project (10:00pm) – $10 Cover
Sat, Oct. 18th: TBA (6:30pm – 9:00pm)
Grazyna Auguscik Quartet (10:00pm) – $10 Cover

For more events, check out their calendar.

Hours:

Monday-Friday (6:00pm – 2:00am)
Saturday (6:00pm – 3:00am)
Dinner served every day until 1:00 am

Location & Contact Info:

Katerina’s
1920 W Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 348-7592