2010 Chicago Jazz Fest -
Passion, Diversity and Divisiveness

Another and more controversial change this year was the addition of a contemporary jazz stage. I only saw part of Corey Wilkes' set (one of four concerts presented at this location), but it seemed that, although decried by purists, the concerts were popular and well attended. The bleed-through effect is certainly something that needs to be addressed in the future; however, this would perhaps not be a problem with a move of the main stage to the Pritzker.

But it was the indomitable spirit of the performers that was the defining theme of this year's fest. I did not see a single show where I felt the artists were coasting - everyone laid it on the line and gave their all, and we the listeners were treated to virtuoso playing and some truly resplendent moments.

Artist in Residence, Nicole Mitchell was all over the place - with at least four appearances. I made it to a couple, and her appearance featuring Colombian harp master Edmar Castaneda on the Jackson Street Stage was a highlight. Corey Wilkes was everywhere as well with perhaps his finest work coming at a stunning after set concert Sunday night at Wicker Park's Creative Arts Center with Kahil El Zabar, Kevin Nabors, Greg Spero, Junius Paul, Greg Breaker and guest vocalist Dwight Trible.

Southside saxophone colossus Ari Brown was also a frequent sight, with appearances with the Jim Wagner All Stars, as well as the Chicago Jazz Orchestra as they accompanied Ahmad Jamal's quartet. This concert (the final entry in the fine Made in Chicago series) celebrated the groundbreaking pianist's 80th birthday and featured energetic performances from Jamal and his group as well as the CJO soloists. The aforementioned Brown clarified his status as perhaps the finest jazz saxophonist in the city, while young guns Scott Burns and John Wojciechowski showed why they are names to watch for. Meanwhile, young Derrick Gardner emerged as a sparkling new star on the trumpet with his incendiary playing.

Speaking of trumpets, the week started off with the Jazz Institute's annual Gala, featuring a Pride of Trumpets - nine excellent trumpeters led by Jon Faddis and backed by drummer Dana Hall, bassist Lorin Cohen and pianist Jeremy Kahn - that was a true delight for fans of the instrument. With Corey Wilkes, Marquis Hill, Bobby Lewis, Tito Carrillo, Brad Goode, Pharez Whitted, Art Hoyle and Robert Griffin (8 Bold Souls) lighting up the stage at the Spertus Institute, the audience was treated to a wide range of trumpet styles.

With excellent playing by the trumpeter and his band, Goode's set at the Jackson Street stage may have been the "hottest" of the fest - although Mike LeDonne's sizzling organ quartet foray with Peter Bernstein, Joe Farnsworth and Eric Alexander, and Corey's Black Slang set both are in the conversation. Goode was followed by Brian Blade, and these sets had the best attendance of any at this notoriously "hot" stage. Blade's presentation was surprisingly cerebral at times and would have benefitted from relocation to the Pritzker, as the combination of heat and crowd detracted from what was an excellent performance.

In contrast to Ahmad Jamal's exuberant show, 75-year-old Ramsey Lewis' was a study in grace. This sentimental occasion was greeted with adoration and applause from the packed house at the Pritzker for the beloved veteran and his trio (Larry Gray and Leon Joyce, Jr.) On the other end of the age spectrum, young drummer Dana Hall's set with a reinvigorated Nicolas Payton was excellent, but again misplaced on the Jackson Street stage. And singer Maggie Brown made an abundance of new fans with her heartfelt tribute to the late great Abbey Lincoln.

Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls took a rebellious stance on the main stage while playing several tracks from their recent excellent album - Seize the Time, while Brad Mehldau's trio was strong and subtle. The Charisma: A Tribute to Lee Morgan set was excellent, but not as well attended as it may have been had the presence of people like Bennie Maupin, Billy Harper, George Cables and Victor Lewis been more publicized. The Either/Orchestra put on fruitful show as well, highlighted by Ethiopian singer Teshome Mitiku's engaging presence and the fiery alto sax of Hailey Niswanger.

Other main-stagers included Latin fireball pianist Chuchito Valdes and singer Rene Marie - who had every red-blooded male in the crowd eating out of her hand.

The avant garde crowd was given their due with sets by the AACM Experimental Ensemble (with a charming, chanting "*uck BP" song), Nicole Mitchell, Paul Giallorenzo's Git Go, and especially Henry Threadgill's Zooid - which lived up to its hype with an intense and unconventional onslaught of unusual sound. Meanwhile, crowd favorite Kurt Elling debuted some new songs from the pop idiom (Joe Jackson's "Stepping Out," the Beatles' "Norwegian Wood") for an appreciative audience.

I unfortunately could not split myself amoeba-like, and as such missed a few of the shows. My apologies to those I missed, but the Park District's fencing off of the lawns made getting through the crowds to the various stages next to impossible at times. Some I managed to catch included Jim Cooper and Kathy Kelly's Mallet Madness (which also featured Jazz Links award winner Thaddeus Tukes on vibes - taking the place of the recently departed Carl Leukaufe), parts of Hector Silveria and the Grilly Brothers (both in the crowded Randolph Cafe), veteran pianist Jodie Christian (with saxophonists Juli Wood and John Brumbach doing great work), Paulinho Garcia and Greg Fishman bringing some fresh Brazilian sunshine at Jackson Street and Tatsu Aoki's wonderful "Trans-Rooted" with his Miyumi Project Big Band, incluidng taiko drums and colorful choreography.

Besides the Corey Wilkes/ Kahil El Zabar after set, other after hours sets I caught were the Jazz Showcase Friday night - with Mike LeDonne, Eric Schneider, Eric Alexander, Scott Burns, George Fludas, Kyle Asche and Dennis Carroll (and Ira Sullivan, although I missed him) burning it up, and the ingenious George Burns (also Joanie Pallato and Sparrow) at Katerina's Saturday night.

My two most pleasant surprises from the fest were Cameron Pfiffner's sweetly swinging Marco Polo (at the Jazz and Heritage Stage), and the incredible set by Tomeka Reid's HEAR in NOW Trio in the stunning Preston Bradley Hall. The perfect setting for the lovely chamber jazz stylings of this talented trio (violinist and vocalist Mazz Swift and acclaimed Italian bassist Silvia Bolognesi joined cellist Reid) - this was - along with Ahmad Jamal's set with the CJO, and the Corey/Kahil - my favorite concert of the entire week, and indeed among the best of the entire year.

Check out great Chicago jazz happenings at JazzChicago.net.