The twenty-second annual JVC Jazz Festival Chicago was a two-night affair taking place in one of the Windy Citys cities most beloved theaters, and its hottest club.
The funkiest, most fun-filled Chicago concert of the year took place on June 20th when Jamaica (via the U.K.) met New Orleans, Louisiana at the House of Blues.
Neville Brothers
The sold out club was jammin and swayin with the heavy roots rock and reggae of the world famous Neville Brothers and Steel Pulse.
Neville Brothers
The British veterans Steel Pulse have thirty-plus years of touring and recording to call on, and when they fired up their first tune the lively crowd was ready to party, sing and dancing along with classic Steel Pulse tunes including Earth Crisis and Bodyguard. At the end of Pulses set Charles and Cyril Neville popped onto the stage, packing more powerful percussive propulsion into the performance. After intermission a re-charged crowd was ready to fall under the spell of the Nevilles gris-drenched bayou funk rhythm rock. The Nevilles, like Steel Pulse, have over three decades on the road to summon, and it showed. Aarons soaring vocals, Arts keys, Charles sax, Cyrils stompin percussion and the bands ensemble magic wove a spell that carried the audience into the wee hours and back onto the street.
Steel Pulse
Steel Pulse
Chicago Theater
The following night over 2,000 well-dressed contemporary jazz fans packed the classic Chicago Theater for the all star Jazz Attack featuring Peter White, Rick Braun, Richard Elliot, and Jonathan Butler.
In 1921 the Chicago Theater was built as Americas first movie palace and was hailed as the wonder theater of the world. The famous marquee, original Wurlitzer pipe organ, Steuben glass and grand staircase contribute to making the venue a Chicago landmark. Over the years immortals have performed here- including Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman and Frank Sinatra.
Jazz Attack
The JVC Jazz Festival evening was specially promoted with WNUA, Chicagos powerful contemporary Jazz radio station. The word was out that a special evening was in store and the Jazz Attack stars did not disappoint. Band leader Peter Whites acoustic/electric guitar runs and droll sense of humor were a unifying thread in an uplifting evening that featured Rick Brauns clarion trumpet playing, Jonathan Butlers warm guitar and voice, Richard Elliotts amazing combination of gut-bucket and silky smooth tenor sax and a great rhythm section to drive it all. The enthusiastic crowd was treated to a romantic and virtuosic tour de force and rewarded the musicians with a well-deserved standing ovation.
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