It was great to be back for the Annual Chicago Jazz festival after the absence during the COVID-19 absence.

 

Chico Freeman began wit a 100 Von Freeman Centennial, featuring 96 year old George Freeman.

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Ron Carter and Foresight keep it going with a beautiful  performance. to close out the first night.  

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Talent and the music  was great as always. There was a last minute  change to the lineup when Diane Reves was forced to cancel but to a medical procedure. Chicago's on Kurt Telling was available to step in  and provided a great performance.

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I was very impressed to see and hear the Harp of Brandee Younger lead her trio. She came back on the stage to perform with  Makaya McCraven closing out the days performances.

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The final evening of the festival, Dee Alexander and Billy Valentine delivered vocal arrangements that excited the crowd.  Closing the festival were the Afro-Cuban All Stars, lead by Juan De Marcos Gonzalez.  The energy on the stage generated by the musicians, singers and the dancing was contagious.  They had butts out of their seats, hands clapping, feet tapping and heads bobbing.