From the legendary King Oliver/Louis Armstrong performances at Lincoln Gardens to the radical avant-garde work of the Art Ensemble of Chicago, the Windy City has long sustained a rich history of jazz.
Chicago’s jazz venues feature anything that a listener may desire, from a candlelit evening of 1920’s swing at Katerina’s, to a soulful organ trio at the Green Mill Cocktail Lounge. Chicago not only features some of the best jazz clubs in the country but is also home to many restaurants that have great jazz and delectable meals on a nightly basis. Many of these venues have student rates and, with the eclectic mix of jazz artists and venues, any fan can find a great show for a good price any night of the week.
Chicago, one of America’s great college cities, is also home to many excellent college jazz programs, including those at Northwestern University, Roosevelt University, Loyola University, Columbia College, and Northern Illinois University. Many of these schools feature excellent guest jazz artists and student concerts, not to mention the city’s thriving scene of young jazz musicians, who contribute to the many weekly jam sessions in the city’s best clubs and restaurants.
Please follow the links below to discover more about Chicago’s legendary jazz scene, including jazz clubs, cabaret acts, festivals, and restaurants. Information is included on club logistics, event calendars, admission rates, age requirements, showtimes, transportation/parking, and venue history. (Daniel Healy)
