"Vonski" Tribute Kicks Off Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz Series

By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Jul 26, 2011 9:00PM

Ted Leo's show at Millennium Park last night placed a cherry atop a strong Downtown Sound series and the annual Music Without Borders series ended last Thursday. That doesn't mean music at Millennium Park is done for the summer.

The Grant Park Music Festival is still going strong. Next Monday kicks off the third annual Dusk Variations chamber music series. But it's Thursday's launch of the Made In Chicago: World Class Jazz that has us stoked for grabbing some lawn with a couple of cans of oat soda to enjoy some of the strongest jazz music the city has to offer.

The six-week series serves as a roadmap for the city's jazz history, looks into the explorations of other musicians with the music of other continents and cultures, showcases some of Chicago's young jazz lions and dovetails seamlessly into the Sept. 1 opening of the Chicago Jazz Festival. Thursday's kickoff is a tribute to Von Freeman, the saxophone colossus who, along with Fred Anderson, helped groom three generations of local jazz musicians.

"Truth Be Told: Celebrating the Legacy of Von Freeman" will feature Freeman's New Apartment Lounge backing band of drummer Michael Raynor and guitarist/arranger Michael Allemana. Among the other musicians scheduled to appear are saxophonists Steve Coleman and Eric Alexander, trombonist Julian Preister and bassist Matt Ferguson, all of them citing "Vonski" as an influence. There should also be some special guests on stage to pay tribute to Freeman.

Made In Chicago: World Class Jazz runs from July 28 - Sept. 1. Each concert begins at 6:30 p.m.