Cassandra Wilson, Roy Hargrove, Randy Weston Among Jazz Fest Headliners

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Jun 1, 2011 9:05PM

The lineup for Jazz Fest has just been announced and the annual Labor Day weekend event is bringing in some heavy hitters to play Grant Park's Pertillo bandshell, Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavilion, the Cultural Center and Roosevelt University's Ganz Hall.

After an afternoon kickoff at the Chicago Cultural Center Sept. 1, pianist Randy Weston joins forces with the Chicago Jazz Ensemble at Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavilion that evening for a program of songs arranged by Melba Liston. Headlining Pritzker Pavilion Sept. 2 will be a saxophone summit featuring Joe Lovano,, David Liebman and Ravi Coltrane (yes, son of John), with the Deep Blue Organ Trio and special guest Bobbi Watson opening.

Sept. 3 at Grant Park is arguably one of the stronger lineups we've seen in a while, if it does play a bit safe for our tastes. Vocalist Cassandra Wilson headlines, with Geri Allen's Trio 3, Orbert Davis’ Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble and the Maurice Brown Effect opening. The festival closes Sept. 4 with headliner by Roy Hargrove. But it's the undercard that's worth paying attention to. David Sanchez warms the crowd up for Hargrove with guest vibraphonist Stefon Harris, who's a master of the instrument. Legend Ira Sullivan will be feted on his 80th birthday. Opening that evening is Mike Reed’s Myth/Science Assembly. Reed has made headlines in recent years for helping to program Pitchfork Music Fest, but he's a regular and respected player in the local free jazz and experimental music scene.