Chicago Jazz Fest For 2010 Goes Thru Big Change

Changes are a comin' for the Chicago Jazz Fest this year (2010)...
(well one thing that hasn't changed is that the event's programming is still done by the non-profit Jazz Institute of Chicago)...here are the upcoming changes and early news on the fest:

--Grant Park portion of the fest goes from three to two days, September 4th and 5th

--A Chicago Jazz Festival Week will offer major events at Millennium Park, the Chicago Cultural Center and the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies

--Grant Park Headliners are currently former Chicagoan Henry Threadgill, Brad Mehldau, Kurt Elling, the Either/Orchestra, Rene Marie, Brian Blade

--The Chicago Jazz Partnership, a consortium of Chicago corporations and foundations will underwrite events at the Chicago Cultural Center and Millennium Park. CareFusion will sponsor the Chicago Jazz Festival weekend.

--Here is the tentative schedule so far for the new 6-day Chicago Jazz Festival Week concept:

Aug. 31
"A Pride of Trumpets: Celebrating Chicago's Jazz Trumpet Legacy." Includes trumpeters Corey Wilkes, Orbert Davis, Marquis Hill, Bobby Lewis, Brad Goode, Pharez Whitted, Art Hoyle and Robert Griffin, led by Chicago Jazz Ensemble artistic director Jon Faddis. Reception: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Concert: 8 p.m. Location: Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies, 610 S. Michigan Ave.; $125-$200; 312-427-1676, ext. 3, or jazzinchicago.org.

Sept. 1
2010 Jazz Club Tour. Guided tour of Chicago jazz clubs: 6 p.m. to midnight via the Chicago Trolley Company. Tickets: (includes all transportation and entrance fees) $25 in advance; $30 the day of the event; 312-427-1676 or jazzinchicago.org.

Sept. 2
Pritzker Pavilion Outdoors. Music: noon to 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. with "Big Band Birthday Bash: Ahmad Jamal's 80th with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra" Location: Millennium Park, near Randolph Drive and Michigan Avenue; free; 312-742-1168 or millenniumpark.org.

Sept. 3
A Tale Of Two Venues. Music: noon to 3 p.m. Location: Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.
Music: 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Location: Pritzker Pavilion in Millennium Park (headliners to be announced) free; 312-742-1168 or millenniumpark.org.

Sept. 4 and 5
The Classic Spot:Grant Park. Music: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. (four stages, including the newest: the Chicago Community Trust Young Jazz Lions Stage offering high school & college bands); free.

For more info check out the Chicago Tribune article by Howard Reich, here.