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- Music, Music Review Nov 25, 2020
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Rob Mazurek’s latest with his Exploding Star Orchestra finds hope in the cosmos
- Music, Music Feature Jun 22, 2020
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Damon Locks’s greatest moment in Chicago music history
The founder of the Black Monument Ensemble still feels the ripples from Soul Train 50 years after its Chicago premiere.
- Music, Music Feature Mar 25, 2020
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The Chicago Underground Quartet bottle their lightning again
For 19 years, their first album was their only album—but now longtime collaborators Rob Mazurek, Jeff Parker, and Chad Taylor have recaptured the group’s freewheeling jazz spirit.
- Music, Music Feature Aug 27, 2019
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The Reader’s guide to the 2019 Chicago Jazz Festival
Its sprawling cross section of the genre includes world-changing explorers the Art Ensemble of Chicago, trad band the Fat Babies, venerable guitarist George Freeman, and restless experimenter Rob Mazurek.
- Music, Music Feature Aug 27, 2019
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Mike Reed honors the modern golden age of Chicago jazz
The bandleader and drummer assembles an ensemble of composer-performers from The City Was Yellow, a “real book” documenting 30 years of the city’s jazz scene.
- Music, Music Feature Aug 27, 2019
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Rob Mazurek refracts melody and groove through cosmic complexity
The trumpeter and polymath returns to his old hometown with the adventurous quartet Desert Encrypts Vol. 1.
- Music, Concert Preview Aug 8, 2019
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George Lewis is the guest of honor at this year’s Experimental Sound Studio Gala
- Music, Concert Preview Jul 25, 2019
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Genre-defying composer and improviser Rob Mazurek explores different parts of the world across three new recordings
- Blogs, Bleader Mar 6, 2018
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Masterful but overlooked Chicago jazz drummer Robert Barry has died
Onetime Sun Ra associate Robert Barry passed away on January 8 at age 85.
- Blogs, Bleader Sep 19, 2017
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After decades as everybody’s sideman, Chicago bassist Matthew Lux finally steps into the spotlight
Thursday at Constellation, ubiquitous bassist Matthew Lux celebrates his overdue transition from support player to bandleader.
- Blogs, Bleader Sep 19, 2017
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Texas label Astral Spirits weds the cassette resurgence to the ‘new wave of heavy free jazz’
On Thursday at Constellation, Astral Spirits celebrates tape releases by Billington/Shippy/Wyche and Matt Lux's Communication Arts Quartet.
- Music, Music Feature May 9, 2017
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International Anthem brings punk idealism to progressive jazz
This Chicago label puts in the sweat to get its artists the audiences they deserve.
- Music, Music Feature Dec 23, 2014
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Our favorite music of 2014
Six Reader writers go deep with specialized year-end lists that do more than just put the same records in a different order.
- Blogs, Bleader Dec 17, 2014
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Rob Mazurek performs two markedly different sets tomorrow night at Chopin Theatre
The cornetist's new album, Alternate Moon Cycles, is the first LP released on the new local label International Anthems.
- Blogs, Bleader Oct 22, 2014
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Track premiere: Local drummer Makaya McCraven's 'Three Fifths a Man'
A sneak preview of the drummer's forthcoming album on the new International Anthem imprint
- Blogs, Bleader Oct 14, 2014
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Listen to 'Thembi,' get psyched for Pharoah Sanders on Saturday
The saxophonit joins the Chicago Underground Duo at the Promontory for his first appearance in Chicago in more than a decade.
- Blogs, Bleader Jan 3, 2014
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The year in Chicago jazz and improvised music
My favorite albums of 2013, helmed by Chicago musicians.
- Blogs, Bleader Oct 18, 2013
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Rob Mazurek presents the latest iteration of his Exploding Star Orchestra tonight
The prolific Chicago cornetist and composer gives the Chicago debut of two new suites.
- Music, Pitchfork Jul 17, 2013
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The Reader's guide to Pitchfork afterparties
There's no Bitchpork this year, but there is Rotted Tooth, plus plenty more.
- Blogs, Bleader Jan 21, 2013
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Best shows to see: Freakwater, Michael Vallera
Shows to see over the next few days include Freakwater, Michael Vallera, Femi Kuti, Castle, and the NRG Ensemble
- Blogs, Bleader Jan 3, 2013
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Best shows to see: Magas, Rob Mazurek Pulsar Quartet, Gorilla Biscuits, Cody DeCamry
Local synthesizer experiments, local jazz, local rap, and nostalgic punk
- Blogs, Bleader Dec 17, 2012
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Best shows to see: Extraordinary Popular Delusions, Graham Parker & the Rumour, and People's Temple
As the touring circuit cools down for the holidays, let's take notice of the great Chicago talent that surrounds us all year round
- Blogs, Bleader Mar 26, 2012
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Rob Mazurek's new Pulsar Quartet debuts starting tonight
Rob Mazurek's new Pulsar Quartet, featuring superb New York pianist Angelica Sanchez, kicks off a four-night Whistler residency.
- Blogs, Bleader Feb 29, 2012
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12 O'Clock Track: Chicago Underground Duo, "Moon Debris"
New music from the Chicago Underground Duo
- Music, Soundboard Jul 21, 2011
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Soundboard, July 21-27
Juke Fest 2011, Wild Flag, Thee Oh Sees, Bon Iver, and other notable shows