Marquis Hill, Anat Cohen signal a hot winter
The most promising jazz events of the winter season:
Alyssa Allgood: When Allgood played her first extended run at the Jazz Showcase, in summer of 2017, she made a lasting impression as a remarkably accomplished young vocalist. Certainly there was no missing the technical control and creative imagination of her work. Allgood returns to the room to sing music from her newest album, “Exactly Like You.” 8 and 10 p.m. Jan. 10 through 12; 4, 8 and 10 p.m. Jan. 13; Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Court; $20-$35; 312-360-0234 or www.jazzshowcase.com.
Greg Ward: Ever since the saxophonist moved from the East Coast back to Chicago, in 2015, he has been a major figure on the scene, leading and contributing to several ensembles. This time he’ll front his newest band, Rogue Parade, to celebrate the release of their album “Stomping Off From Greenwood,” with guitarists Matt Gold and Dave Miller, bassist Matt Ulery and drummer Quinn Kirchner. 9 p.m. Jan. 11 and 8 p.m. Jan. 12; Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway; $15; 773-878-5552 or www.greenmilljazz.com.
After Dark: A Tribute to Von Freeman: Saxophonist Freeman’s legacy still echoes through jazz in Chicago and beyond, thanks to the generations of musicians he mentored. This homage to the great one features saxophonists Geof Bradfield and Rajiv Halim, guitarists Scott Burns and Michael Allemana, bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer Dana Hall. 9:30 and 11:30 p.m. Jan. 11 and 12; Andy’s Jazz Club, 11 E. Hubbard St.; $15; 312-642-6805 or www.andysjazzclub.com.
John Wojciechowski: By day, he’s a music teacher at St. Charles North High School. By night, he’s one of Chicago’s most admired saxophonists, an instrumentalist whose technical aplomb is matched by the profundity of his improvisations and compositions. Wojo, as everyone in jazz calls him, will be joined by pianist Ryan Cohan, bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer Dana Hall. 8 and 10 p.m. Jan. 17-19; 4, 8 and 10 p.m. Jan. 20; Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Court; $20-$35; 312360-0234 or www.jazzshowcase.com.
Howard Levy: The greatest jazz harmonica virtuoso on the planet happens to live in the Chicago area, but his gifts are such that he’s constantly in demand around the world. Which makes this an excellent chance to hear Levy alighting in his hometown, this time with NBV (No Bad Vibes), featuring trumpeter Victor Garcia, saxophonist Steve Eisen, bassist Kelly Sill and drummer Paul Wertico. 9 p.m. Jan. 18 and 8 p.m. Jan. 19; Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway; $15; 773-8785552 or www.greenmilljazz.com.
“Too Hot to Handel: The JazzGospel Messiah”: Handel’s “Messiah” gets an exuberant, jazz-gospel makeover in this annual production honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As always, the cast will feature tenor Rodrick Dixon, soprano Alfreda Burke, alto Karen Marie Richardson and very hot pianist Alvin Waddles, plus chorus, orchestra and jazz band. 7:30 p.m. Jan. 19 and 3 p.m. Jan. 20; Auditorium Theatre, 50 E. Ida B. Wells Dr.; $29-$79; 312-341-2300 or www.auditoriumtheatre.org.
Chicago Jazz Orchestra: The only thing better than hearing Jeff Lindberg’s splendid, longrunning big band is encountering it in an intimate space. So when Lindberg and the CJO take the stage of Winter’s Jazz Club, listeners should be prepared to encounter a great deal of sound, but considerable textural detail and tonal subtlety, as well. 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Jan. 20; Winter’s Jazz Club, 465 N. McClurg Court; $15-$20; 312-344-1270 or www.wintersjazzclub.com.
The Diagonal: The band takes its name from personal geography: Its musicians live in Boston and Los Angeles but also have deep ties to Chicago (hence “the diagonal” that connects these cities). Chicago listeners will remember the years trombonist Jeb Bishop and guitarist Jeff Parker lived here and will note former Chicago bassist Nate McBride’s many contributions; drummer Luther Gray and pianist Pandelis Karayorgis complete the ensemble. 9 p.m. Jan. 25 and 8 p.m. Jan. 26; Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway; $15; 773-878-5552 or www.greenmilljazz.com.
Anat Cohen Tentet; Joshua Redman Quartet: When clarinetist Cohen led her Tentet at the University of Chicago’s Logan Center in 2017, at least one listener was struck by the ensemble’s range of color and depth of expression. For this performance, Cohen will unveil a concerto, “Triple Helix,” by longtime Cohen collaborator Oded LevAri. Saxophonist Redman opens the program. 8 p.m. Feb. 1; Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center, 220 S. Michigan Ave.; $9-$74; 312-2943000 or www.cso.org.
Marquis Hill Blacktet: Chicago has few rivals when it comes to developing young jazz talent, trumpeter Hill a case in point. Well before he won the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Trumpet Competition, in 2014, he was admired in his hometown for uncounted appearances in venues large and small. He returns via the Jazz at the Logan Series with music from his album “Modern Flows Vol. 2,” which takes up elements of hip-hop. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15; University of Chicago’s Logan Center for the Arts, 915 E. 60th St.; $10-$38; 773-702-2787 or https://chicagopresents.uchicago.edu.