Marine life and live music may seem like an unlikely pairing, but they add up to a successful summer concert series at the Shedd Aquarium. Now in its 16th year, Jazzin' at the Shedd fills Wednesday evenings with the magical sounds of Chicago's favorite musicians. If you haven't been to the aquarium in a while, concert night gives you a great reason to visit. Not only will you get a chance to browse the lakefront aquarium and hear Chicago-style jazz, but you'll also get a front row seat for the Wednesday night fireworks show at Navy Pier.
Jazzin' at the Shedd concerts take place at 5 pm on the North Terrace overlooking Lake Michigan through September 1. While enjoying the music and the stunning view of the city's skyline, guests can visit Shedd's original galleries, stop by the sharks in Wild Reef, explore the North and South Poles with the penguins in Polar Play Zone and get a glimpse of the five-month-old beluga whale calf in the Oceanarium. During Jazzin' at the Shedd, the Oceanarium, Wild Reef and Polar Play Zone are open till 8 p.m. and the original galleries are open till 10 p.m.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children (ages 3 to 11). See the Oceanarium and Polar Play Zone for $6 more. Engage your senses with a show at Shedd's 4-D FX Theater, including the new Happy Feet 4-D feature, for an additional $4. Food and beverages are available for purchase.
The Shedd Aquarium is located at 1200 S. Lake Shore Drive on Chicago's Museum Campus. For more information about Jazzin' at the Shedd, please call 312-692-3361 or visit www.sheddaquarium.org.
Here's the lineup for Jazzin' at the Shedd:
JUNE 30 - DETOUR JAZFUNK
Detour JazFunk is the sound of Chicago's new urban jazz scene. Its music is built on a foundation of old-school R&B's soulful and funky grooves blended with the melodic improvisations of classic and contemporary jazz. Detour JazFunk includes guitarist Phil Seed, drummer Ben "Jammin" Johnson, electric bassist Kenery Kent Smith and keyboard wizard Tim Gant.
JULY 7 - CHICAGO OGD
The Chicago OGD covers Smooth Jazz and Jazz Standards and includes today's dance music as well as the Blues, and original material. OGD is an acronym for Organ (Darryl Armistead), Guitar (Barry White), and Drums (Brian McGrew). OGD exemplifies the soulful, funky, hard bop sounds of Philly organ jazz, made famous by Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, and Joey DeFrancesco.
JULY 14 - TIM FITZGERALD QUARTET
The Tim Fitzgerald Quartet mixes straight-ahead jazz, funk and soul music. Keyboardist Tom Vaitsas, drummer Ben Johnson and vocalist Sarah Marie Young join Tim as they perform this summer in support of his new book, 625 Alive: The Wes Montgomery BBC Performance Transcribed.
JULY 21 - LAKE EFFECT
Lake Effect is the exquisite smooth jazz band, co-created by Neil Artwick, keyboards; and Robert Davis on guitars. Elegant compositions with attention to melodic detail and compelling liquid grooves are the trademarks of the Lake Effect sound. Lake Effect features Khari Parker-drums, Lemar Jones-bass, and Larry Springfield-vocals. Together, they bring you a unique blend of R&B, Latin, soul and jazz.
JULY 28 - BILL BORIS
The Bill Boris Group is an exciting, eclectic ensemble combining elements of straight ahead jazz, funk and R&B. The group performs original compositions, along with jazz standards, delivering a melodic and compelling sound. Bill has performed with Charles Earland, David "Fathead" Newman, Arthur Prysock, Eric Alexander and Tony Monaco. He has performed at the Barbados Jazz Festival, the Kaunas Jazz Festival, Lithuania, Sczecin Jazz Festival in Poland and the South Shore Jazz Festival in Chicago.
AUGUST 4 - DETOUR JAZFUNK
AUGUST 11 - GREG DUNCAN
Trumpeter Greg Duncan has developed one of the best jazz groups in the city since his arrival in 2004. Known for a solid swing feel and edgy groove, the Greg Duncan Quintet released its debut CD in 2007 on the OA2 record label. The recording, Unveiled, received high praise from Chicago Jazz magazine for its hip compositions and solid musicianship.
AUGUST 18 - CHICAGO OGD
AUGUST 25 - PETRA VAN NUIS
SEPTEMBER 1 - DETOUR JAZFUNK
JAZZIN' AT THE SHEDD
Wednesdays at 5 pm
Through September 1
Chicago's Museum Campus
1200 S. Lake Shore Drive
312-692-3361
www.sheddaquarium.org
