Jazzin' at the Shedd FAQ
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Detour JazFunk (June 7, July 5 & August 2)
Chicago-based Detour JazFunk’s roster boasts some of the nation’s premier musicians, including guitarist/vocalist Phil Seed, percussionist/vocalist Ben Johnson, bassist Kenery Kent Smith and keyboardist Tim Gant. From smooth jazz to funky old and new school R&B and neo soul, Detour JazFunk delivers.
The Ava Logan Jazz Ensemble (June 7, July 12 & August 9)
Ava Logan is a veterinarian by day and a jazz singer at night! She has performed at clubs and festivals from Bel Air and Beverly Hills to Moscow, Minsk, Paris and Rome, along with local festivals in Chicago, Glen Ellyn, Olympia Fields and Maywood. Ava’s theater performances include “Ella Fitzgerald & Friends” and “Lena Horne & Friends” at the Skokie Theater, as well as portrayals of Ella and Nancy Wilson at Chicago’s Black Ensemble Theater. Her accompaniment may be anywhere from one musician up to an 18-piece big band! For relaxation and excitement, don’t miss this dynamic performer!
Aniba & The Sol Starz (June 7 & August 30)
Aniba & The Sol Starz is a dynamic and electrifying R&B/Soul group hailing from the windy city of Chicago. Comprised of talented musicians and led by the powerful vocals of Aniba The Messenger And Neri Honey, this group has established themselves as one of the most sought-after live acts in the music industry. Aniba & The Sol Starz has had the privilege of performing with some of the biggest names in soul music including the legendary Chaka Khan, the iconic Earth, Wind & Fire, and the soulful Kindred The Family Soul. They have also shared the stage with talented artists such as Bilal, Carl Thomas, Ginuwine, and Dru Hill, just to name a few. Their dynamic performances have wowed audiences around the world. With their seamless blend of original music and timeless covers, Aniba & The Sol Starz never fail to captivate and entertain their audiences.
Rio Bamba (June 14, July 12 & August 9)
The Rio Bamba sound is a unique blend of bossa nova, samba, American jazz and Latin jazz, played by world-class musicians. The group moves easily from classic and swinging jazz, vocal or instrumental to a Brazilian samba that brings everyone to the dance floor.
Lake Effect (June 14 & August 2)
Guitarist Bob Davis and keyboardist Neil Artwick have been playing together with their larger group, Lake Effect, for 20 years. Over the course of their careers, they have released two CDs, “Pandora” and “CD Baby.” Bob and Neil are joined by Larry Beers on drums, serving up R&B, Latin and soul.
Mario Abney & the Abney Effect (June 21 & July 26)
Mario Abney is a jazz trumpeter, composer and bandleader from New Orleans. He has been a guest artist to both George Benson and Cyril Neville at the New Orleans Jazz Festival and has shared the stage with Stevie Wonder, Erykah Badu, Wynton Marsalis, Donald Harrison and Nicholas Payton. But he developed his chops in his hometown, Chicago, at Fred Anderson's legendary Velvet Lounge. Mario’s talents have been compared to the genius of Miles Davis and the leadership and insight of Art Blakely.
Tom Lowery Trio (June 21 & August 30)
The Tom Lowery Trio is based in Chicago, playing jazz classics and standards from the Great American Songbook. While rooted in jazz, the trio incorporates tastes of funk, Latin and rock into some of their tunes. The Tom Lowery Trio has traveled the Chicagoland area playing events, restaurants, stages and festivals including the Merchant Street Music Festival in Kankakee, Illinois and a monthly residency with Sauce and Bread Kitchen in Chicago. The trio: Michael Crane on bass, Steve Kaiser on guitar and Tom Lowery on drums, have played a variety music throughout the country and have come together to respect and share the music they love, jazz.
Mai Sugimoto Trio (June 28)
Mai Sugimoto is a saxophonist, composer, and active member of Chicago’s jazz and improvisational music scene. “A compelling performer” with “dry-champagne tone and lyrical lines” (Chicago Tribune), Sugimoto draws inspiration from her upbringing in Japan and her roots in jazz to compose and perform from her unique multicultural experience. Born/Raised, her debut album (Asian Improv Records, 2018), explores this cultural and musical binary, juxtaposing, among others, a jazz rendition of a Japanese children’s song alongside compositions inspired by the American jazz idiom. Sugimoto is also a core member of the quartet Hanami, whose two albums similarly mix Japanese culture into creative music. Mai has performed three times at the Chicago Jazz Festival: in 2015 with Hanami, in 2019 and 2022 as a leader, and in 2018 and 2022 with renowned bassist Tatsu Aoki, with whom she frequently plays, including appearances in his Fred Anderson Legacy Band. Her first solo album, monologue (Asian Improv Records) was released in March of 2021.
Michele Thomas Quartet (June 28 & August 16)
Jazz singer-songwriter, entrepreneur and educator Michele Thomas is a suave innovator. With silken grace she eases in her formative background in gospel and her love of R&B, soul and neo-soul into a musical language that shows a dedication and a passion for jazz, spanning all of its defining eras. Michele’s restless creativity reflects jazz’s improvisatory spirit—for jazz, like life, is a journey and not a destination.
Bill Boris Trio (July 5)
The Bill Boris Trio performs an exciting blend of jazz, pop and original compositions with a vibrant contemporary sound. Bill has performed with David “Fat Head” Newman, Fred Wesley, Tony Monaco, Marco Pignataro and Arthur Prysock, and has recorded with Eric Alexander, Charles Earland and Irene Reid. Bill latest CD, “Bright Moments” features original compositions. He has performed throughout the United States and Europe. Bill is associate chair of the music department at Columbia College, coordinator of guitar studies, and director of the Fusion Ensemble.
Yoko Noge & The Jazz Me Blues Band (July 19)
Yoko Noge, a transplant from Osaka, Japan, is an inventive band leader/singer/pianist. Yoko's band, the Jazz Me Blues melds an incredible mix of Chicago blues, jazz, Japanese music and Yoko's composition melds an incredible mix of Chicago blues, jazz, Japanese music and Yoko’s compositions. The band, composed of Yoko and legendary Chicago musicians played every Monday at Chicago’s famed HotHouse for more than 15 years and also played at Andy’s Jazz Clubs and Green Mill.Yoko also performed at the Chicago Blues Festival, the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Asian American Jazz Festival and many special events in the United States, Japan, China and Europe.
Christopher Lucas Wilson Trio (July 19)
Christopher Lucas Wilson is a hard swingin’ pianist originally from metropolitan Detroit, later transplanted to Los Angeles, and recently relocated to Chicago. As a child, Christopher was first introduced to music on a Grinnell Brothers piano in his parents’ living room by a now unknown piano teacher. Although this teacher’s name remains a mystery, Christopher remains indebted for his role in instilling a lifelong passion for music.
Soul Message Band (July 26 & August 16)
With a soulful and infectious style crafted around funky grooves, the Soul Message Band’s sound is rooted in the tradition of great Hammond B3 organists like Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Charles Earland and Groove Holmes. The Soul Message Band consists of Chris Foreman, organ, Greg Rockingham, drums, and Lee Rothenberg, guitar.
Victor Garcia Quintet (August 23)
Examiner.com’s Neil Tesser calls him “one of the most exciting young musicians.” Chicago Tribune’s Howard Reich says that he “stands out as an ebullient soloist offering a formidable technique and a radiantly polished tone.” JazzChicago.net’s Brad Walseth regards him as a “young lion trumpeter.” He’s as versatile as he is creative. His trumpet talent heralds his international acclaim. He also sings, plays percussion and his songwriting, arrangements and charts have led him to perform with a lineup of greats: Aretha Franklin, Arturo Sandoval, Wynton Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, La India, the Temptations and Paquito d’Rivera. Victor has recorded on dozens of albums, three of them Grammy-nominated.
Jessica Lá Rel (August 23)
Jessica Lá Rel is an award-winning recording artist, songwriter, and storyteller. Her “cinematic soul” sound likens her music to an orchestra traveling from the south side of Chicago to Ghana. Her 2016 EP, Four Freedoms ranked #12 on the UK Soul Charts, and her latest album, War Love, landed her opportunities to perform for Oprah Winfrey and Sterling K. Brown. Her song, "Here Comes The Sun" was named Best R&B Song at the 2019 Independent Music Awards. Lá Rel has opened for Ella Mai, J. Holiday, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Melanie Fiona, Luke James, Omarion, and Angelique Kidjo. She has also sung with Kanye West’s Sunday Service Collective, Kirk Franklin, Diddy, Faith Evans, and Maverick City Music. Featured on The Root, Buzzfeed, and Huffington Post, Jessica Lá Rel is an “Artist to Watch” for her powerhouse vocals & music about life, love, and justice. For more information about her work follow her journey on Instagram and Facebook @jessicalarel or check her out at jessicalarel.com
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No, seating on the outdoor terraces is first come, first served.
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No, outside chairs are not permitted. Learn more about other prohibited items on our website. There will be a security check upon arrival.
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Yes, the gift shop will be open! Bring home a souvenir from Shedd’s store.
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Yes, food and beverages will be available for purchase until at least 8 p.m.
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The full aquarium will be open, including touch habitats. For animal care, lights in the Amazon Rising exhibit will dim at 7 p.m. Amazon Rising, Wild Reef and Stingray Touch close at 8:45 p.m.
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All of them! As with all ticketed programs, Shedd Aquarium members receive early access and discounted pricing. This helps ensure all guests, from near and far, can fully enjoy the Jazzin' experience. Members Only Jazzin', which is free to all members, will be held on June 14.
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Outside food and drink are not allowed at evening Shedd events. Food and drink are available for purchase.