By most accounts the biggest weekend of jazz in Chicago happened a few weeks ago, when the Chicago Jazz Festival took place. But the deluge of great jazz and improvised music this weekend looks awfully strong, leading to some unfortunate conflicts for those who enjoy live music. The marquee event is the Hyde Park Jazz Festival on Saturday and Sunday, but there are also Roscoe Mitchell’s two trio concerts at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Sunday and Matthew Shipp’s duo concert with bassist Michael Bisio Saturday at Constellation. That’s to say nothing of Ravi Coltrane’s engagement at the Jazz Showcase, singer Kurt Elling at the Green Mill tonight and tomorrow, up-and-coming drummer Jeremy Cunningham leading his quintet with Jeff Parker tonight at Constellation, and the trio of Edward Wilkerson, Jim Baker, and Steve Hunt Sunday night at the Owl. Choices, choices.
Today’s playlist:
