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The Chicago Reader

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Music, Music Review Dec 9, 2020
Recommended
Chicago squares off against New York City on the fourth volume of Mars Williams’s Ayler Xmas project
- By Bill Meyer
- Tags: Music Review, Mars Williams, An Ayler Xmas Vol. 4: Chicago vs N.Y.C., Astral Spirits Records, jazz, Constellation, livestream, concerts, Witches & Devils, Albert Ayler, free-jazz, holiday music, Jaimie Branch, Extraordinary Popular Delusions, NRG Ensemble, Peter Maunu, Katinka Kleijn, Keefe Jackson, Albert Ayler in Greenwich Village, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Steve Swell, Nels Cline, Recommended

Music, Music Review Oct 9, 2020
Recommended
The improvising trio of Jim Baker, Keefe Jackson, and Julian Kirshner specializes in surprise
- By Bill Meyer
- Tags: Music Review, Jim Baker, Keefe Jackson, Julian Kirshner, So Glossy and So Thin, Astral Spirits, Hungry Brain, jazz, improvisational music, ARP, Recommended

Music, Concert Preview Aug 29, 2019
Recommended
Instigation Festival connects the musical traditions of Chicago and New Orleans
- By Bill Meyer
- Tags: Concert Preview, Instigation Festival, Steve Marquette, The Few, Marker, Marie Casimir, May Chapel, Rosehill Cemetery, Keefe Jackson, DanOestricher, James Singleton, Mike Reed, Kim Alpert, Jasmine Mendoza, Jeff Albert, Unanimous Sources, Katinka Kleijn, Astral Spirits, Haley Fohr, Kobra Quartet, New Orleans, Recommended

Music, Concert Preview Aug 2, 2019
Recommended
The Slow Bell Trio features some of Chicago’s most adventurous experimentalists
- By Joshua Minsoo Kim
- Tags: Concert Preview, Slow Bell Trio, Mike Weis, Keefe Jackson, Steven Hess, carillon, Rockefeller Chapel, Zelienople, Locrian, Urge Trio, Recommended

Music, Concert Preview Jul 5, 2018
Recommended
Cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm reunites with his Chicago improvising trio featuring Keefe Jackson and Julian Kirshner
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Concert Preview, J@K@L, After a Few Days, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Keefe Jackson, Julian Kirshner, Recommended

Music, Concert Preview Jan 5, 2018
Recommended
Two improvised saxophone-drum duos show that age is nothing but a number on the Chicago jazz scene
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Concert Preview, Keefe Jackson, Steve Hunt, Gerrit Hatcher, Julian Kirshner, Recommended

Music, Concert Preview Nov 9, 2017
Recommended Video
Three local improvisers converge for the first time
- By Bill Meyer
- Tags: Concert Preview, Steven Hess, Mike Weis, Keefe Jackson, Recommended, Video

Music, Music Feature Sep 27, 2017
Video
Chicago bass clarinetist Jason Stein isn’t kidding around

Not even arena gigs with his famous sister, comedian Amy Schumer, can tempt him from his drive to make better jazz.
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Music Feature, Jason Stein, bass clarinet, jazz, Lucille!, Delmark, Amy Schumer, Inside Amy Schumer, Last Comic Standing, Celebrity Family Feud, Locksmith Isidore, Hearts & Minds, Jason Stein Quartet, Constellation, Hungry Brain, 3030, Northern Spy, Greg Ward, Eric Revis, Jim Black, Paul Giallorenzo, Jason Roebke, Mike Pride, Keefe Jackson, Joshua Abrams, Tom Rainey, Ken Vandermark, Bridge 61, In Exchange for a Process, The Story This Time, Journal, Nate McBride, Mike Reed, Josh Berman, Frank Rosaly, University of Michigan, Don Walden, Montana, Bozeman, Helena, Bennington, Russ Johnson, Kyle Bruckmann, Charles Rumback, Video

Music, Music Feature Apr 26, 2017
Trumpeter Jaimie Branch finally spreads her wings

More than 12 years after her blazing debut on the Chicago jazz scene, she releases Fly or Die, her first album as a bandleader.
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Music Feature, Jaimie Branch, trumpet, jazz, improvised music, Fly or Die, quartet, International Anthem, Jason Ajemian, Chad Taylor, Tomeka Reid, Ben Lamar Gay, Hideout, Wei Zhongle, Josh Berman, Keefe Jackson, Anton Hatwich, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Lightbox Orchestra, Princess, Princess, Musket, Tusker, Velvet Lounge, Protest Heaven, Heaven Gallery, Harold Arts, Joe Jeffers, Dave Douglas, Festival of New Trumpet Music, New England Conservatory of Music, Phrenology Festival, Hungry Brain, Axel Dörner, Wilmette, Long Island, Toby Summerfield, New Fracture Quartet, Tim Daisy, Project Project, Jacob Wick, New Trier, Charles Schlueter, John McNeil, Joe Morris, Steve Lacy, Matthew Lee, Dave Ballou, Towson University, Mars Williams, MusiCares, Scott McNiece, David Allen, Manhattan Inn, Le Poisson Rouge, Mike Pride, Brandon Lopez, Bar Below Rye, Makaya McCraven, Matthew Schneider, Moon Bros., Hyde Park Jazz Festival

Blogs, Bleader Feb 19, 2016
Remembering Jazz Record Mart from inside

The legendary Jazz Record Mart wasn't a treasure just because of its massive inventory—it was also a hothouse of musical creativity.
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Jazz, Music, Post No Bills, Jazz Record Mart, Bob Koester, Wolfgang's Vault, Delmark Records, Steve Dawson, Keefe Jackson, Josh Berman, Howard Mandel, J.B. Figi, John Litweiler, Ron Bierma, Chuck Nessa, Jim O'Neal, Amy van Singel, Bruno Johnson, Bruce Iglauer, Michael Frank, Steve Cushing, Barry Winograd, Charlie Musselwhite, Kalaparush Maurice McIntyre, Joel Paterson, Mike Bloomfield, Jason Adasiewicz, Steve Dolins, Pete Crawford, Joe Segal, Sandra Pointer-Jones, Jay McShann, Herb Nolan

Blogs, Bleader Apr 18, 2014
Video Audio
A busy weekend for live jazz: Pandelis Karayorgis, Michael Moore, Pat Mallinger, and more

An action-packed weekend for jazz fans
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Jazz, Music, Post No Bills, jazz, Pandelis Karayorgis, Circuitous, Here in July, Constellation, Nate McBride, Dave Rempis, Keefe Jackson, Frank Rosaly, Michael Moore, ICP Orchestra, Michael Vatcher, Harmen Fraanje, Clemens van der Feen, Achim Kaufmann, Herbie Nichols, Furthermore, Crisp Day, Pat Mallinger, Sabertooth, Bill Carrothers, Elevate, Green Mill, Ho-Ho-Kus Blues, King Fleming, Overt, Video, Audio

Blogs, Bleader Jan 3, 2014
The year in Chicago jazz and improvised music

My favorite albums of 2013, helmed by Chicago musicians.
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Jazz, Year in Review, Music, Post No Bills, Keefe Jackson, Likely So, Wheelhouse, Boss of the Plains, Joshua Abrams, Unknown Known, Ken Vandermark, Resonance Ensemble, Head Above Water, Matt Ulery, Loom, Wake an Echo, Graham Stephenson, Aaron Zarzutzki, Touching, Rob Mazurek, Skull Sessions, Toplogy Nonet, Impressions of Po Music, Clark Sommers, Ba(SH). Ari Brown, Groove Awakening

Blogs, Bleader Dec 6, 2013
Audio
Ben Paterson, Dave Douglas, Keefe Jackson, and a tribute to Bill Russo mark a busy weekend in jazz

Who says it's dead in December—a slew of live jazz options for the weekend
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Jazz, Music, Post No Bills, Ben Paterson, Essential Elements, Jon Dietemyer, Joshua Ramos, Von Freeman, Dave Douglas, Jon Irabagon, Linda Oh, Matt Mitchell, Rudy Royston, Time Travel, Beware of Doug, Bill Russo, Bill Williams, Stan Kenton, Lee Konitz, Everybody Rides the Carousel, jazz, Keefe Jackson, Likely So, A Round Goal, Paul Giallorenzo, Audio

Blogs, Bleader Sep 6, 2013
Audio
Chicago reedist and composer Keefe Jackson steps up his game

The compositional beauty and skillful arrangements on his new album, A Round Goal, match the musician's talents as an improviser.
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Jazz, Music, Post No Bills, Keefe Jackson, Chicago jazz, Likely So, A Round Goal, Overture, Project Project, Dave Rempis, Mars Williams, Waclaw Zimpel, Marc Stucki, Peter A. Schmid, Thomas K.J. Mejer, Audio

Music, Music Feature Aug 27, 2013
Saturday: 2013 Chicago Jazz Festival according to Reader writers

Jason Moran and Gregory Porter are just two of the acts on a loaded third day of Jazz Fest.
- By Peter Margasak, John Corbett, and Bill Meyer
- Tags: Music Feature, Chicago Cultural Center, Howard Levy, Orbert Davis, Pritzker Pavilion, Stafford James String and Percussion Ensemble, M'Boom, Akira Tana, Warren Smith, Ray Mantilla, Eli Fountain, Geraldo de Oliveira, Gregory Porter, Chip Crawford, What Is This Thing Called "Jazz"?, Aaron James, Emanuel Harrold, Yosuke Sato, Rudresh Mahanthappa's Gamak, Francois Moutin, Dan Weiss, David Fiuczynski, Jason Moran, Fats Waller Dance Party, Earl Travis, Joshua Roseman, Leron Thomas, Paul Wertico, Charles Haynes, Lisa E. Harris, Martin Sewell, Maija Garcia, Larry Gray, David Cain, The Rhythm Method II, Von Freeman Pavilion, Frank Russell Band, Hamid Drake, Kidd Jordan, William Parker, Cooper-Moore, Ernie Krivda Quartet, Lafayette Carthon, Jeff Halsey, Renell Gonsalves, Satoko Fujii's Orchestra Chicago, KAZE, Peter Orins, Christian Pruvost, Natsuki Tamura, Dave Rempis, Ernest Dawkins, Keefe Jackson, Jeb Bishop, Corey Wilkes, Kent Kessler, John McLean, Michael Zerang, Young Jazz Lions Pavilion, Whitney Young High School Jazz Combo, Kelly High School Jazz Ensemble, Rauner College Prep High School Ensemble, Pritzker College Prep High School Jazz Ensemble, Kenwood Academy High School Jazz Ensemble, Nick Mazzarella Trio, Anton Hatwich, Frank Rosaly, Erin McDougald Quartet, Ron Block, Larry Gray, Eric Montzka, Chevere de Chicago, Alejo Povedo, Ruben Alvarez, Joe Rendon, Eric Hochberg, Chris Cameron, Mark Ohlsen, Ernie Denov, Steve Eisen, Garland Room, Chicago Cultural Center

Blogs, Bleader Jun 28, 2013
A bounty of brilliance from Boston pianist Pandelis Karayorgis

Four new recordings on his Driff Records show off the brilliance and range of Boston pianist Pandelis Karayorgis.
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Jazz, Music, Post No Bills, Pandelis Karayorgis, jazz, Driff Records, Jorrit Dijkstra, Guillermo Greogrio, Circuitious, Dave Rempis, Keefe Jackson, Nate McBride, Frank Rosaly, Jef Charland, Luther Grey, Steve Swell, Cocoon, Window and Doorway, Whammies, Music of Steve Lacy, Hazy Recall, Swarm, You Took My Coffee and Left, Threads

Best of Chicago, Music & Nightlife Jun 19, 2013
Critics' Picks
Best Jazz Band Full of Musicians Named Jason

Cicada Music
- By Bill Meyer
- Tags: Music & Nightlife, Best of Chicago 2013, progressive-jazz, Frank Rosaly, Cicada Music, Jason Adasiewicz, Jason Stein, Jason Roebke, James Falzone, Keefe Jackson, Scrappers, Critics' Picks

Music, Music Feature May 31, 2012
Audio
Improv/experimental label Peira packages the abstract

Forget turntables and a mike—how about three bass clarinets and a modular synthesizer?
- By Kevin Warwick
- Tags: Music Feature, Chicago record labels, Peira, CD-R, Brian Labycz, Jason Roebke, jazz improv, Umbrella Music, synth music, field recordings, Fred Lonberg-Holm, Guillermo Gregorio, Green Pasture Happiness, Nate Wooley, Jacob Wick, Katherine Young, Keefe Jackson, Mythic Birds, Audio

Blogs, Bleader May 3, 2012
Audio
Nick Butcher completes Free Jazz Bitmaps Vol. 1

Nick Butcher celebrates the release of Free Jazz Bitmaps Vol. 1 with a Friday-night reception and visual-art exhibition at Saki Records.
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Music, Post No Bills, Nick Butcher, Sonnenzimmer, Nadine Nakanishi, Free Jazz Bitmaps, Saki Records, Mike Reed, Jason Stein, Jason Roebke, Jason Adasiewicz, Tim Daisy, Jason Stein, Keefe Jackson, Audio

Blogs, Bleader Nov 8, 2011
Bass clarinetist Jeff Kimmel drops a quartet album

Bass clarinetist Jeff Kimmel celebrates the release of "Charm Offensive," the debut album from his quartet, with a performance at the Hideout on Wednesday.
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Music, Post No Bills, Jeff Kimmel, Charm Offensive, Hideout, Jacob Wick, David More, Tilting, Keefe Jackson, Devin Hoff, Marc Riordan, Frank Rosaly, Jason Roebke

Music, Three Beats Jun 16, 2011
Aram Shelton returns for a tour of Chicago

Plus: A Chicago label releases a comp of Mauritanian guitar, the core of CoCoComa becomes the Marble Vanity
- By Bill Meyer, Peter Margasak, and Miles Raymer
- Tags: Three Beats, Aram Shelton, There Was..., Clean Feed, Fast Citizens, Aram Shelton Quartet, Heaven Gallery, Keefe Jackson, Arrive, Elastic, the Whistler, Jeb Bishop, Anton Hatwich, Mike Reed, Dimi Mint Abba, Mauritania, iggawen, Berber, Tuareg, Latitude Records, Locust Music, Matthew Lavoie, African Music Treasures, Voice of America, Bill Roe, Lisa Roe, CoCoComa, Trouble in Mind, the Zombies, the Left Banke, the Yellow Balloon, Marble Vanity, Andrew Anderson, the Hipshakes, Hollows, Emma Hospelhorn, Slow Fizz, Empty Bottle, Liminanas, Whistler

Music, Soundboard Apr 15, 2010
The List: April 15-21, 2010

Critics' Choices and other notable shows: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Best Coast, Finntroll, Hot Chip, the Amir ElSaffar & Hafez Modirzadeh Quartet, and more
- By Miles Raymer, Peter Margasak, Steve Langendorf, Bill Meyer, Monica Kendrick, and David Whiteis
- Tags: Soundboard, Best Coast, Bethany Cosentino, White Hinterland, Schubas, Empty Bottle, Casey Dienel, Tomomi Adachi, Columbia College, Evgeni Bozhanov, Ravinia Festival, Chicago Sound Map, improvised music, Cornelius Cardew, Roscoe Mitchell, Jason Stein, Boris Hauf, Keefe Jackson, Liz Payne, Anton Hatwich, Michael Hartman, Steven Hess, D Bayne, Brian Labycz, Todd Carter, Judith Unterpertinger, Heaven Gallery, Amir ElSaffar, Hafez Modirzadeh, Green Mill, Finntroll, Bottom Lounge, Jeb Bishop, Three 6 Mafia, Graham Parker, Old Town School of Folk Music, Cheer-Accident, Sleepytime Gorilla Museum, Vernon Garrett, Artie "Blues Boy" White, Mr. G's Supper Club, Hot Chip, Riviera Theatre, Ambrose Field, John Potter, Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Serge Gainsbourg, Park West, Bennett-Gordon Hall, Ravinia Festival, Congress Theater, Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall, Old Town School of Folk Music, Maurer Hall, Maurer Hall, Old Town School of Folk Music

Blogs, Bleader Mar 24, 2010
"Five Years" of Jazz at Heaven Gallery

Protest Jazz, the weekly series at Heaven Gallery, celebrates its fifth anniversary—sort of.
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Music, Post No Bills, Heaven Gallery, Umbrella Music, Marc Riordan, Jason Ajemian, Jeff Kimmel, Jaimie Branch, Keefe Jackson, David Boykin, Sherpa, Green Pasture Happiness, Chicago jazz, Protest Jazz

Music, Music Feature Dec 24, 2009
The List: December 24-30, 2009

Critics' Choices and other notable concerts: Robbie Fulks, Roy Hargrove, Josh Berman's Old Idea, Fiery Furnaces, and more
- By Peter Margasak, Monica Kendrick, Ann Sterzinger, Bill Meyer, Miles Raymer, and Steve Langendorf
- Tags: Music Feature, Robbie Fulks, Michael Jackson tribute album, "Rap of the Dead", Scott Ligon, Pete Manzell, Dan Manzella, Maggot Twat, The Morons That Ruined Heavy Metal, 8-Bit Apocalypse, Macabre, Johnny Vomit, These Are They, the Muzzler, Idiom, Earthen, Primitive Evolution, Idiom, Reggie's Rock Club, FitzGerald's, Unicycle Loves You, Highwheel, Jim Carroll, Pet Lions, We Will Eat Rats to Survive, DJ Screeble Dee, Empty Bottle, Jimmy Bennington, Perry Robinson Quartet, Jimmy Bennington's Colour and Sound Featuring Perry Robinson, Matthew Golombisky, Daniel Thatcher, Mike Staron, Brian Sandstrom, Uncommon Ground on Devon, Czar, Acumen Nation, Brian Elza, Chiral, Yoahn John Kwon, Blood of the Tyrant, Chicago Thrash Ensemble, Cursive, Tim Kasher, The Good Life, Tim Kinsella, Old Canes, Subterranean, Roy Hargrove, Crisol, RH Factor, Earfood, Emergence, Justin Robinson, Montez Coleman, Amin Saleem, Sullivan Fortner, Stefon Harris, Josh Berman, Josh Berman's Old Idea, Rolldown, Fast Citizens, Nori Tanaka, Marc Riordan, Keefe Jackson, Jason Adasiewicz, Anton Hatwich, Peter Margasak, Fiery Furnaces, Take Me Round Again, I'm Going Away, Cryptacize, Brown Rice, Hideout, Schubas, Jazz Showcase, Chicago Cultural Center, Preston Bradley Hall, Uncommon Ground

Blogs, Bleader Jan 21, 2009
Aram Shelton keeps his Chicago fires burning

Reedist Aram Shelton calls Oakland home these days, but he keeps his Chicago connections alive--and he's back again this weekend.
- By Peter Margasak
- Tags: Music, Post No Bills, Chicago Jazz, Weasel Walter, Jason Adasiewicz, Aram Shelton, Keefe Jackson, Fast Citizens

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