Add discounted parking and drink specials to a world-class jazz performance with no cover and no drink minimum, and you've found the best Thursday night plans in the city!
Drake Hotel partners with Jazz Institute of Chicago to showcase young talent on Chicago jazz scene
Beginning March 1, 2012, the Drake Hotel , 140 E. Walton, will host a dynamic young lineup of Chicago jazz talent on the first three Thursdays of each month through May. Presented in partnership with the Jazz Institute of Chicago and Chicago Jazz Magazine, the NextGenJazz series provides jazz trios with a three-week engagement at the Drake Hotel’s Palm Court. The series will kick off with the Marquis Hill Trio, performing March 1, 8, 15. Sets begin at 8 and end at midnight.
The Jazz Institute of Chicago has a longstanding history of programming and presenting world-class jazz concerts at no cost including the Chicago Jazz Festival, JazzCity, and Made In Chicago: World Class Jazz concert series. The NextGenJazz series will continue this tradition while appealing to new and younger audiences.
“The Jazz Institute is pleased to partner with the Drake Hotel in bringing attention to the new jazz voices in town,” says Lauren Deutsch, executive director of the Jazz Institute of Chicago. “The artists featured in NextGenJazz are on the cutting edge of jazz in Chicago, and we are excited about introducing them to new audiences at one of the city’s iconic hotels.”
MARCH 1, 8, 15: Marquis Hill Trio
The Marquis Hill Trio will be the trio-in-residence for March. On March 1st, 2012, the Marquis Hill Trio will kick off the NextGenJazz Series at the Drake Hotel. At age 24, trumpeter Marquis Hill is already a well-known name on the Chicago jazz scene. He has toured the US and abroad with Sirens of Sound, the Delisfort Project, Chicago 12, Bebop Brass, Ronald Carter Big Band, and his own group the Marquis Hill Black-tet. He released his debut album “New Gospel” in 2011. In a review of “New Gospel,” BlogCritics.org praised the young trumpet player’s composing and improvising talents: “Hill shows why he is considered one of the foremost players and composers of a new generation of jazz players.” www.marquishill.com
APRIL 5, 12, 19: Rajiv Halim Trio
Rajiv Halim is a saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and educator from Chicago, IL. He regularly performs throughout Chicago and has had the privilege to perform and/or record with artists such as Antonio Hart, Lisa Henry, Von Freeman, Mike Stern, Martha Reeves, Bob Mintzer, Orbert Davis, Ernest Dawkins, Ari Brown, Nicole Mitchell, Maggie Brown, Corey Wilkes, Ernie Adams, The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, and many others. In 2010, Rajiv won 1st place in Division II of the Union League Civic and Arts Foundation’s Jazz Improvisation Competition. He also won an Outstanding Individual Musician Award at the 2010 Elmhurst College Jazz Festival. Between September 2009 and August 2011, Rajiv performed around the United States and Canada with the eclectic band Kids These Days, headlining many venues and festivals, as well as, opening up for or sharing the stage with acts from Raphael Saadiq to Snoop Dogg. www.rajivhalim.com
MAY 3, 10, 17: Katie Ernst Trio
Described by the Naperville Sun as a "double-talented" jazz bassist and jazz vocalist, Katie Ernst has impressed audiences nationwide with her multifaceted performances. Katie has performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Rochester International Jazz Festival, the Naperville Jazz Festival, and jazz clubs throughout the East Coast and the Midwest. Katie received a degree in double bass performance from the Eastman School of Music and is an accomplished, award-winning vocalist as well. In 2007, she received a Downbeat Award for her singing and was featured in Downbeat Magazine's June issue. At her recent trio performance at the Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival, Katie was described as being "the surprise act of the night." Rochester's Democrat & Chronicle praised her for writing "interesting, thoughtful arrangements that really embody a full range of styles. She’s definitely a young artist who is on the rise.” www.katieernst.com
JUNE 7, 14, 21: Brad Macdonald Trio
Bassist Dan Parker and drummer Keith Brooks join pianist, vocalist, and primary composer/arranger Brad Macdonald for the NextGenJazz series in June. In addition to Macdonald’s original compositions, the trio reimagines old standards. All graduates of Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, IL, they have each studied with renowned Chicago artists, such as Doug Beach, Mark Colby, Bob Rummage, and Frank Caruso. All three have since gone on to study at DePaul University, learning from faculty members including Bob Lark, Tom Matta, Ron Perrillo, Bob Palmieri, and Kelly Sill. Their playing can be heard on three recordings – two produced by the Elmhurst College Jazz Band (Harlem Nocturne, 2009, and River, 2010), as well as Macdonald’s first solo release, Off the Top of My Head. http://bradmacdonaldpiano.webs.com/
JULY 5, 12, 19: Daniel Bruce Trio
Guitarist Daniel Bruce is active as a performer, recording artist, composer and educator. He moved to Chicago in 2007, after finishing his master’s degree in jazz studies at the University of North Texas. He was quickly performing at a number of the city’s finest jazz venues including the Green Mill, Jazz Showcase, Andy’s, and Harris Theater at Millennium Park. As a jazz performer and recording artist, Bruce has worked with a number of eminent musicians including Ali Jackson, Dan Wall, Lynn Seaton, the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra, Marvin Stamm, Darmon Meader and Peter Eldridge from the New York Voices. He has been a featured composer in Fingerstyle Guitar Magazine and remains a regular contributor. Daniel released A Single Thread, his first album as a leader, in 2007 on NohJoh records.
http://danielbrucemusic.com/
AUGUST 2, 9, 16: ABB Trio
The ABB Trio is comprised of saxophonist Corbin Andrick, bassist Nathan Brown, and drummer Xavier Breaker. All notable members of the young jazz scene in Chicago, the three teamed up in order to explore and innovate within the chordless trio setting. The ABB trio creates a carefully woven counterpoint between the bass and alto saxophone while drums flurry. The group performs compositions by Corbin Andrick, Lennie Tristano, John Coltrane, Bill Evans, Miles Davis, and many others. corbinandrickmusic.com
The Jazz Institute of Chicago is a not-for-profit organization that serves as a foundation of support for nurturing new talent, sustaining active artists, and developing new audiences for jazz in Chicago. For more information call the Jazz Institute at 312-427-1676 or the Drake at 312-787-2000.
Sponsored by The Drake Hotel and Chicago Jazz Magazine
