This week's Notes from the Jazz Underground is based on the playlist from the July 29th broadcast.It started off as host Paul Abella's yearly "back to basics" show, but soon morphed into this whole other idea: the jazz that made him who he is and makes Notes what it...

Chicago's North Coast Music Festival has in past years been a bit of a jam purist's puzzle. There has always been a smattering of jam-friendly acts in its lineups, but EDM and flavor-of-the-minute bands tended to cast a long shadow for those looking for improv in Chicago over Labor Day Weekend.The scales seemed to...

Photos by Rickie KostinerStreet festivals have always been a Chicago summer rite of passage. We've got four, maybe five months of weather to support them and plenty of places for them to pop up and take on different neighborhood flavors.But it wasn't too long ago that they all pretty much boasted a similar lineup...

JB brought some good friends to join him for his traditional set at the Hannah's Buddies Benefit. The Barn's Florida correspondent, Rich D. was on hand and gave us some typically detailed show notes, which I'll publish here with minimal editing.. Stay tuned for some of Rich's video and whatever clarifications we can add.JB...

This installment of Notes From The Jazz Underground features the playlist from Friday, September 20th. Paul's theme for the evening was (in your best Austin Powers accent) "Do I Make You Horny, Baby?"What does that mean? All brass bands, big bands and multiple horn led ensembles. This is definitely a playlist that gets an "...

Lots of great links, video and audio from around the web in this edition.The typical "Rock Star" story usually has the tribute band member joining the real band, but the tables were turned as Dean Ween (Mickey Melchiondo) joined The Pod at Tonic Room. Here's a three song video playlist:Chicagoist lists the 8 best...

Widespread Panic and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band are each a force to be reckoned with individually.  But, when these thirteen musicians step on stage and let it loose, it is the type of pulse-quickening, orchestrated chaos that can floor audiences and crumble the foundations of the venues that they play.There are two...

I just about soiled myself when I stumbled upon this clip on youtube. Mule and DDBB giving a mighty fine workout to the Headhunters' "Chameleon".

We've played it pretty close home with our Spotlight Shows until now, generally identifying an artist or venue that we've had some affiliation with to showcase. Starting now we're going to try something new; we'll be featuring a few upcoming suburban shows that we feel great about giving an extra push even though we have...