Join us virtually from the historic Berger Park Cultural Center for the final JazzCity concert of the season presented in partnership with Chicago Park District. The event will feature two ensembles led by 2021-22 New Works Fresh Voices awardees Fred Jackson Jr. and Juli Wood. Tune in as we celebrate the creation of new music in our wonderful city!
New Works Fresh Voices is proudly supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
About the artists:
Fred Jackson Jr.’s Erudition Project Ensemble
This special ensemble performs original materials exploring Fred Jackson Jr.’s compositional and lyrical approach to his music. Most of these songs were written during the pandemic shutdown. “It seemed like the world slowed down and we were able to catch up with ourselves a little. These songs cover many moods, grooves and textures. It feels like everything." The program will explore the composer's curiosity for the many music genres that exist and the cultures responsible for producing them. The Erudition Project is a concept for exploring the past to the future while trying to understand one’s connections to the their continuum.
Fred Jackson Jr. (alto sax)
Dana Hall (drums)
Miguel de la Cerna (piano)
Joshua Ramos (bass)
Dee Alexander (vocals)
Maggie Brown (vocals)
Juli Wood’s Little Rootie Tootie
Little Rootie Tootie was formed in the fall of 2020 to play at the Hyde Park Jazz Fest in Chicago.
Juli was wanting to put together a project that featured the amazing compositions of Thelonious Monk. She gathered up her friends Katie Ernst - phenomenal bassist, vocalist, composer and educator, Dustin Laurenzi - great tenor saxophonist, composer and educator. Both Katie and Dustin are in the innovative jazz trio, Twin Talk. Drummer Greg Artry, one of the most talented and workingest drummers in Chicago, has been a longtime associate. Greg and Juli played some gigs years ago with jazz organ great Melvin Rhyne.
The band has been able to rehearse and develop original tunes and original lyrics to Monk's tunes through a generous grant, New Works/Fresh Voices, from the Jazz Institute of Chicago.
Juli was inspired by vocalist and lyricist Mike Ferro ( lyricist featured on the recording "Carmen McRae sings Monk ") to write her own lyrics to several Monk tunes.
Luckily there are three singers in the band, Juli, Katie and Greg. We hope you'll enjoy our interpretations of Monk's tunes and Juli's own tunes inspired by that unique genius that was Thelonious Monk.
Juli Wood (tenor sax & vocals)
Dustin Laurenzi (tenor sax)
Katie Ernst (bass & vocals)
Greg Artry (drums & vocals)