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Review / Setlist | Kamasi Washington @ Bottom Lounge 7/17/16

By: Alex WoodAfter touring tirelessly since last years release of The Epic, Kamasi Washington finished a Midwest run with a Pitchfork Music Festival aftershow at Bottom Lounge on Sunday night.In the last year, the saxophonist popped up seemingly out of nowhere, his name in the liner notes of countless records and his praises sung...

Notes From The Jazz Underground Explores The Art Of Songcraft

This edition of Notes From The Jazz Underground was sourced from the July 15th broadcast.If last week's show was all about the epics, this show was much more about songcraft. The Jeff Beck tune was a request from NFTJU host Paul Abella's buddy's.  The version of "Naima" (Carlos and McLaughlin) prompted...

Review / Setlist / Videos | Brian Wilson Performs "Pet Sounds" At Pitchfork Music Festival 7/16/16

By: Alex Wood | Photo: @exhasutedwriter InstagramThough I wasnt sure what to expect, I had to see Brian Wilsons final tour performing Pet Sounds in full.By the age of 10 I could probably tell my teachers that Pet Sounds was the greatest album of all time, my dads opinion engrained into my impressionable mind like fact....

WATCH: Bob Weir, Rob Gronkowski Join Paul McCartney For Fenway Encore

Bob Weir's been a huge Beatles fan since forever, but as far as I know has never performed on stage with one.So of course, when he got his chance to stand side-by-side with Paul McCartney during a Boston gig on Sunday, he took it Dead & Company had played the same venue, Fenway...

Taste Of Chicago Wraps Up With Retro Feel

Words: Robin Zimmerman | Photos: Howard Greenblatt (imaginepictures.net)The 36th Annual Taste of Chicago closed out with a bang as iconic percussionist Sheila E brought the huge crowd to its collective feet on Sunday, July 10th. This multi-faceted performer pulled out all stops for the audience.Opening with a spirited salsa, Sheila...

Hyde Park Jazz Festival Announces Lineup and Schedule

The Hyde Park Jazz Festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary this summer with 36 performances across 11 stages, taking place September 24 and 25.The festival partnered with the Reva & David Logan Center For The Arts to commission composer and alto saxophonist Miguel Zenon to compose a 60-minute piece to be performed with Chicagos Spektral Quartet. According to...

Recap / Setlist / Video | Violent Femmes @ Concord Music Hall 7/12/16

By: Alex WoodViolent Femmes rarely tour these days and seem reluctant to play regular venues when they do. But with a new record out, We Can Do Anything, the band is playing two nights in Chicago, at Concord and The Vic.Known for their eclectic and strange instrumentation, innocent, oddball lyrics and an intense delivery,...

You Can Fly Solo, But You Can't See Dead & Company Alone

By Carmel O'Farrell (@carmelocorn) | Photos: Adam Miszewski (Adjomi Creative)Sunday, July 10th started off just like any other day. I woke up that morning with absolutely no plans, but as the day progressed I started to develop an intense feeling deep inside my chest. It was FOMO.Dead and Company was playing just a...

Summer Camp Music Festival | A Recap In Words, Images and Video

By: Ryan Mannix | Photos: Kristine CondonWe've already done day by day summaries of what went down at Summer Camp, but after a little time to reflect (and sort through hundreds of Kristine's incredible photos), we're back with a recap of some of the festival's highlights in words, images and video.  Ready?  Let's go....

Photo Essay | Sunday at Chicago Blues Fest 2016

Words: Robin Zimmerman | Photos: Howard GreenblattTheres nothing like a nice, chill Sunday afternoon on the Front Porch stage at the Chicago Blues Festival.  After two days of blistering heat, fans loved sitting in the sunshine while basking in the blues AND cooler temperatures.A large contingent of fans lined up around the stage to...