WINTER JAZZ FAIR, 2025

February 28, 12:00pm-7:30PM

Concerts | Discussions | Vendor Booths

Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind free jazz event for all ages at The Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave.

  • Bethany Pickens

    12:00-1:00 Curtis Hall (10th floor)

    Bethany Pickens - piano
    Ivan Taylor - acoustic bass

    ARTIST INFO

  • Victor Garcia Organ Quartet

    12:30 PM - 1:30 PM CYSO (8th floor)

    Victor Garcia - trumpet & flugelhorn
    Geof Bradfield- tenor sax
    Dan Trudell - organ
    Charles Heath - drums

    ARTIST INFO

  • The Legacy Panel: Generations of Artistic Legends

    Curtis Hall 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM (10th floor)

    Panelists include:
    Bethany Pickens
    Frayne Lewis
    Africa
    Maggie Brown

  • The Work of Black Film Pioneer Oscar Micheaux: A Conversation with Caitlyn C. Johnson and Alvin Cobb, Jr. JIC

    1:30 PM - 2:30 PM (5th floor)
    Caitlyn C. Johnson - @motife
    Alvin Cobb, Jr. - @alvincobbjr

  • Dana Hall | Nick Mazzarella Duo

    1:45 PM-  2:45 PM William Harris Lee (5th floor)

    Nick Mazzarella – alto saxophone
    Dana Hall – drums

    ARTIST INFO

  • Greg Ward's Rogue Parade

    2:00 PM - 3:00 PM CYSO (8th floor)

    Greg Ward - Alto Sax
    Dave Miller - Guitar
    Matt Gold - Guitar
    Matt Ulery - Bass
    Quin Kirchner - Drums

    ARTIST INFO

  • 2Brown Sisters

    2:30 PM - 3:30 PM Curtis Hall (10th floor)

    Maggie Brown
    Africa Brown
    Miguel de la Cerna

    ARTIST INFO

  • Alyssa Allgood Quintet

    3:15 PM - 4:15 PM William Harris Lee (5th floor)

    Alyssa Allgood - voice
    Greg Ward - alto saxophone
    Ryan Cohan - piano
    Ethan Philion - bass
    Jon Deitemyer - drums

    ARTIST INFO

  • GENE AMMONS @ 100

    3:30 PM - 4:30 PM JIC (5th floor)

    Panelists Include:
    Neil Tesser
    Dr. Mike Allemana
    Ari Brown
    Al Carter Bey

  • Alvin Cobb, Jr. Trio Plays Oscar Micheaux’s Body and Soul

    3:30 PM - 4:30 PM CYSO (8th floor)

    Alvin Cobb, Jr. - Drums
    Katie Ernst - Bass
    Julius Tucker - Piano

    ARTIST INFO

  • Jazz Links Ensemble

    4:00 PM - 5:00 PM Curtis Hall (10th floor)

    Johannes Ancheta -  Alto Sax
    Abby Hacim - Trombone
    Devin Mancera - Tenor Sax
    Andrew Kozintsev - Piano
    Dylan Reed- Bass
    Michael Brewer- Drums

    ARTIST INFO

  • Junius Paul & Corey Wilkes

    4:45 PM - 5:45 PM William Harris Lee (5th floor)

    Junius Paul -Bass
    Corey Wilkes - Trumpet

  • Reading Jazz: The Omnibus

    5:00 PM - 6:00  PM JiC (5th floor)

    Panelists include:
    Howard Mandel
    Neil Tesser
    Lauren Deutsch
    Michael Jackson
    Marc PoKempner
    Corey Hall, Jeff Cebulski
    Hrayr Attarian
    Deanna Witkowski
    Jack B. Siegel
    Rahsaan Clark Morris

    LEARN MORE

  • Noteworthy Jazz Ensemble

    5:15 PM - 6:10 PM CYSO (8th floor)

    Saxophone Section
    Angela Addison-Davis – Flute
    Tayiib Dauda – Alto Sax
    Brandon Harding – Alto Sax
    Gerard Matthews – Tenor Sax
    David Rimmer – Tenor Sax
    Shemeka Nash – Bari. Sax

    Trombone Section
    Daniel Burks
    Lawrence Cooper
    Ajanette Guzman (AJ)
    Dean Thornton

    Trumpet Section
    Madeleine Mollinedo
    Phillip Moore
    Frank Walton, III
    Lionel Bordelon

    Rhythm Section
    Bobie Knight – Piano
    Damien Dimas – Guitar
    Paul Denovi – Bass

    Ronald K. Dennis – Drums

    Conductor
    Mark Coulter

    ARTIST INFO

  • Jazz Links Jam Session

    5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Curtis Hall (10th floor)

    Robert Irving III - Piano
    Katie Ernst - Bass
    Marcus Evans - Drums

    ARTIST INFO

  • A Jazz Exchange with Michael Manson

    6:15 PM - 7:15 PM JIC (5th floor)

    Darius Hampton
    Michael Manson

    ARTIST INFO

  • Isaiah Spencer Quartet

    6:15 PM - 7:15  PM William Harris Lee (5th floor)

    Brent Griffin - Alto Sax
    Brandon Harper - Piano
    Devin Foster - Bass
    Isaiah Spencer - Drums

    ARTIST INFO

  • Chicago Soul Jazz Collective

    6:30 PM - 7:30 PM CYSO (8th floor)

    Larry Brown Jr. - Guitar
    John Fournier - Tenor Saxophone
    Ryan Nyther - Trumpet
    Keith Brooks II - Drums
    Amr Fahmy - Piano
    Micah Collier - Bass
    Dee Alexander - Vocalist

    ARTIST INFO

the Clif Wallace Big Band and Friends

  • “A Tribute to the Works of Quincy Jones with the Clif Wallace Big Band and Friends”

    The 2025 Winter Jazz Fair will conclude with a heartfelt tribute to one of Chicago's most iconic musical legends, Quincy Jones. Born in Chicago, Quincy’s remarkable journey from the South Side to global acclaim has left an indelible mark on the world of music. Experience an unforgettable evening of extraordinary music with the Clif Wallace Big Band & Friends as they celebrate Quincy’s musical works and contributions. Led by Drummer and DJ Clif Wallace, the band will explore a selection of Quincy Jones’ works, blending rare arrangements with fresh, innovative interpretations of his timeless classics. This concert promises a dynamic celebration of Quincy’s unparalleled influence on music, offering both nostalgia and fresh perspectives, all in honor of one of Chicago’s very own.

    Details:
    Time: 8:00 PM

    Date: Friday, February 28, 2025

    Address: Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan, Chicago IL 60628

    Tickets: $10 for Jazz Institute of Chicago Members
    $15 for the General Audience

    Proceeds from the event will support the Jazz Institute of Chicago

    Don’t miss this celebration of Quincy Jones! Get your tickets today!

    PURCHASE TICKETS

Lead Media Sponsor

Winter Fair 2025 Foundations and Donors

Jazz Institute of Chicago programs are supported by:
The Allstate Foundation; The Alphawood Foundation; The Helen V. Brach Foundation; a CityArts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; The Darling Family Foundation; The Field Foundation; The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation; The Glossberg Foundation; The Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency; The Oppenheimer Family Foundation; and The Wang Family