Chicago Jazz Festival kicks off Thursday, lasts through Labor Day weekend

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Thursday, September 3, 2015
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CHICAGO (WLS) -- Some of the world's best jazz musicians are taking center stage this weekend in Chicago.

The 37th annual Chicago Jazz Festival kicked off this afternoon at the Chicago Cutural Center.

Thursday night, the scene shifts to Millennium Park where acts from all over the jazz world will perform through Sunday night. Admission is free.

For more information, click here. The full festival schedule is below.

Thursday, Sept. 3

Chicago Cultural Center

Claudia Cassidy Theater

12:15-1:15pm - Andrew Trim's Hanami Quartet

1:45-2:45pm - Lucy Smith

3:15-4:30pm - What's This Thing Called Jazz?: From Mainstream to AACM and Beyond with Dee Alexander and Ann Ward

Preston Bradley HallJames Davis

12:30-1:30pm - Ben Waltzer

2-3pm - James Davis' Beveled

Millennium Park

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

6:30pm - Marquis Hill Blacktet

8-9pm - Butler, Bernstein & The Hot 9

Friday, Sept. 4

Millennium Park

Von Freeman Pavilion (South Promenade)

12 Noon-12:55pm - Rajiv Halim Quintet

1:10-2:05pm - Jeremy Cunningham Quartet

2:20-3:15pm - Neusa Sauer

3:30-4:30pm - Craig Taborn Trio

Jazz and Heritage Pavilion (North Promenade)

12:30-1:30pm - Spin Quartet

2-3pm - Art Hoyle Sextet: Clark Terry Tribute

3:30-4:30pm - Bobby Lewis Sextet

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

5-5:50pm - Chico Freeman: Chicago project featuring George Freeman

6-6:55pm - Jose James: The Music of Billie Holiday

7:10-8:10pm - Fred Hersch Trio

8:30-9:30pm - Billy Strayhorn Centennial Celebration w/ Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra featuring arrangements by John Hollenbeck, Steven Bernstein, Gordon Godwin and Ed Wilkerson

Saturday, Sept. 5

Millennium Park

Chicago Community Trust Young Jazz Lions Pavilion (Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace)

11:30am-12 Noon - Jones College Prep Jazz Combo

12:15-12:45pm - Chi Arts Jazz Combo

1-1:40pm - Whitney Young Magnet High School Jazz Ensemble

1:55-2:35pm - Rich Central Jazz Ensemble

2:50-3:30pm - Columbia College Jazz Ensemble w/ Special Guest Dave Douglas

3:45-4:25pm - Lincoln Park High School Jazz Ensemble

Von Freeman Pavilion

12 Noon-12:55pm - Trio WAZ featuring Edward Wilkerson, TatsRyan Cohenu Aoki and Michael Zerang

1:10-2:05pm - Mike Schlick Trio

2:20-3:15pm - Brian Gephart Sextet

3:30-4:30pm - Ryan Cohen Quartet featuring Joe Locke

Jazz and Heritage Pavilion (North Promenade)

12:30-1:30pm - Makaya McCraven Quartet

2-3pm - Juan Pastor's Chinchano

3:30-4:30pm - Jason Roebke Octet

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

5-5:50pm - Douglas Ewart and Inventions

6-6:55pm - The Claudia Quintet +1 w/ Theo Bleckmann and surprise guest

7:10-8:10pm - Mark Turner Quartet

8:30-9:30pm - Dee Dee Bridgewater

Saturday, Sept. 6

Millennium Park

Chicago Community Trust Young Jazz Lions Pavilion (Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace)

11:30am-12 Noon - Taft Jazz Combo

12:15-12:45pm - Northside College Prep Jazz Combo

1-1:40pm - Pritzker High School Jazz Ensemble

1:55-2:35pm - Thornridge High School Jazz Ensemble

2:50-3:30pm - Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble

3:45-4:25pm - Kenwood Academy High School Jazz Ensemble celebrates AACM 50th with Tomeka Reid

Von Freeman Pavilion (South Promenade)

12 Noon-12:55pm - Jordan Baskin Trio

1:10-2:05pm - Elaine Dame

2:20-3:15pm - Ryan Shultz Quintet

3:30-4:30pm - Robert Irving III Generations

Jazz and Heritage Pavilion (North Promenade)

12:30-1:30pm - Bob Dogan Quintet

2-3pm - Bill McFarland and the Chicago Horns

3:30-4:30pm - Steve and Iqua Colson - "40 Years in the Moment" featuring Reggie Workman, Marlene Rice and Dushun Mosley

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

5-5:50pm - Jeff Parker Trio

6-6:55pm - Jane Bunnett & Manqueque

7:10-8:10pm - Cyrille Aime

8:30-9:30pm - Muhal Richard Abrams' Experimental Band with Roscoe Mitchell, Henry Threadgill, Wadada Leo Smith, Amina Claudine Jane Bunnett & ManquequeMeyers, George Lewis, Leonard Jones, Thurman Barker, Reggie Nicholson and LaRoy Wallace McMillan