Zenon, Jamal and McBride launch season
Here are the most promising jazz performances of the coming season:
Miguel Zenon and Spektral Quartet. Puerto Rican saxophonist and MacArthur Fellow Zenon celebrates the release of “Yo Soy La Tradicion,” a recording with Chicago’s Spektral Quartet, in two settings. 8:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at Constellation, 3111 N. Western Ave., with excerpts; $5-$15; www.constellation-chicago.com. 7 p.m. Sept. 21, benefit for the Chicago Hurricane Aid for Puerto Rican Arts at Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center, 4048 W. Armitage Ave.; $20-$100; segundoruizbelvis.org.
Paul Marinaro and Friend. The great Chicago singer, recovered from medical travails, has been picking up the tempo of his performance schedule. Who’s the friend on this double-bill? Only one way to find out. Sept. 27-30 at the Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Court; $20-$35; 312-360-0234 or www.jazzshowcase.com.
Hyde Park Jazz Festival. A splendid event that reaches across its neighborhood, the 12th annual fest will feature harpist Brandee Younger, pianist Kris Davis, Allison Miller’s Boom Tic Boom, Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, Mike Reed’s “The City Was Yellow: The Chicago Suite,” Christian Sands Trio with Marcus Strickland, Ravi Coltrane, Kenwood Academy Jazz Band, Jason Moran and more. Sept. 28 and 29 in Hyde Park; free, with suggested $5 donation; www.hyde parkjazzfestival.org.
Ahmad Jamal. The pianist returns to the city that launched his fame with his recording “Ahmad Jamal at the Pershing: But Not for Me.” He launches this year’s Symphony Center Presents Jazz series. 8 p.m. Oct. 12 in Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $42-$102; 312-294-3000 or www.cso.org.
Dave Liebman. Septuagenarian saxophonist Liebman still plays with the fire of youth, as well as the wisdom of the ages. 9 p.m. Oct 12 and 8 p.m. Oct 13 at the Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway; $15; 773-878-5552 or www.greenmilljazz.com.
Chicago Jazz Orchestra. Jeff Lindberg’s mighty band opens its 40th anniversary season with a tribute to Nancy Wilson featuring singers Roberta Gambarini, Bobbi Wilsyn and Sarah Marie Young. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Studebaker Theater, 410 S. Michigan Ave.; $35-$45; www.chicago jazzorchestra.org.
Sun Ra Arkestra. Led by nonagenarian saxophonist and Sun Ra disciple Marshall Allen, the band continues to rattle the cosmos. This performance is presented by the Art Institute of Chicago with the Constellation arts center on the occasion of “Never a Lovely So Real: Photography and Film in Chicago, 1950-1980.” 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18 in the Rubloff Auditorium of the Art Institute of Chicago, 230 S. Columbus Drive; $20; www.artic.edu.
Logan Center Bluesfest. This multidimensional event will include performances by John Primer and Steve Bell; Chris Thomas King with Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton opening; Fernando Jones’ Blues Kids of America; Bill Sims Jr.; Ruthie Foster with Deitra Farr and Leanne Faine; Charlie Musselwhite and a Blues Harmonica Summit; plus workshops, film and book presentations. Oct. 19-21 at the University of Chicago’s Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St.; ticket prices vary, with many free events; www .loganbluesfest.org.
Christian McBride New Jawn. Protean bassist McBride launches the Jazz at the Logan series with New Jawn, a band featuring saxophonist Marcus Strickland, trumpeter Josh Evans and drummer Nasheet Waits. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at the University of Chicago’s Logan Center, 915 E. 60th St.; $10-$38; chicagopresents .uchicago.edu.
Reginald Robinson. A MacArthur Fellowship winner and ragtime visionary, Robinson will present the world premiere of a work celebrating the contributions of historic bandleader James Reese Europe. Robinson will appear on a bill featuring the Branford Marsalis Quartet with trumpeter Roy Hargrove. 8 p.m. Nov. 2 in Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $38-$135; 312-294-3000 or www.cso.org.