FREE ADMISSION and OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Jazz jam sessions have long been the place where musicians gather to connect, perform together, and hone their skills. Historically, jam sessions take place after-hours in the clubs, making it impossible for student musicians to participate. The Jazz Links Jam Session creates a live performance opportunity where student musicians can learn, grow, and connect with their jazz community.

The JAZZ LINKS JAM SESSIONS take place every month at The Jazz Showcase from October through May from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Students perform with one another and with the Jazz Links house band, which Includes world-class, professional jazz musicians. 

WHO CAN JAM?

Students age 9-19 perform with one another and with the Jazz Links Mentors in the house. 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE JAM SESSION?

Jazz lovers, musicians, parents, students, siblings, and friends are all welcome and encouraged to attend these free events. 

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Students sign up on-site, and fill out a jam session info card listing three to five tunes they can play and improvise on from memory. The jam session host calls up groups of students to perform and improvise together in front of an enthusiastic live audience.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?

Bring your trumpet/saxophone/trombone/voice/flute/vibes/drumsticks and a list of jazz standard tunes that you know and can improvise over. A vocal microphone, drum set, double bass, bass amp, and piano are provided for each session.

The Jazz Institute of Chicago gratefully acknowledges the following for their support of the Jazz Links Education Program: The Alphawood Foundation | The Benjamin Rosenthal Foundation | A CityArts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events | Crown Family Philanthropies| Dan J. Epstein Family Foundation | The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation | The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation| Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency | The Oppenheimer Family Foundation | The Polk Bros. Foundation| The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince | The Walder Foundation

Presented in partnership with The Jazz Showcase

Jazz Institute of Chicago is proud to receive generous support from the following organizations

The Alphawood Foundation; a CityArts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; Crown Family Philanthropies; Chicago's Cultural Treasures; The Darling Family Foundation; The Ella Fitzgerald Foundation; The Epstein Family Foundation; The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation; The Fry Foundation; The Glossberg Foundation; The Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency; The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince; The Mellon Foundation; The Polk Bros. Foundation; The Oppenheimer Family Foundation; The Walder Foundation; The Wang Family