2023 Chicago Jazz Festival this Labor Day weekend

A longtime favorite of summer music festivals, the Chicago Jazz Festival returns for Labor Day weekend, celebrating jazz of all genres and featuring local talent alongside international artists at events from August 31 to September 3.

Jazz legend Ron Carter and Foursight, singer Dianne Reeves, drummer and composer Makaya McCraven and Juan de Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All stars. Plus Chico Freeman will play 100 Von Freeman Centenary Award.

The Harris Theater Rooftop will also be included in the festival with two evening performances, including the Young Lions Jazz Show featuring local high school talent and the Next Generation Jazz event. Meanwhile, artists including The Natalie Scharf Quartet and Bobbi Wilsyn will perform at the Chicago Cultural Center.

[ Chicagoan of the Year for Jazz: Drummer and composer Makaya McCraven  ]

The full program is below, details subject to change.

The Chicago Jazz Festival runs from August 31 to September. 3 at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St. and Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St.; free, for more information: chicago.gov

Chicago Cultural Center Claudia Cassidy Theatre, 2nd Floor North

• 11:00-noon — The Live the Spirit Residency Young Masters
• 12:15-13:15 — Asian Improvisation, “Legends and Legacies” by Francis Wong
• 14:00-15:00 — Fred Jackson Quartet
• 15:15-17:15 — What is jazz?

Chicago Cultural Center Preston Bradley Hall, 3rd Floor South

• 11:00-noon — Zubin Edalji Quintet
• 12:30-13:30 — Zack Markstet performing Horace Silvers’ 1966 album “The Jody Grind”
• 14:00-15:00 — Natalie Scharf Quartet
• 15:30-16:30 — Bobbi Wilsyn

Jay Pritzker Pavilion (Doors open at 5 PM, get off at Randolph or Monroe)

• 18:30-19:30 — Chico Freeman -100 Von Freeman Centennial
• 20.00-21.00 — Ron Carter and Foursight

Millennium Park (Seat and Great Lawn open at 2:45 PM, any entry to the park means direct entry to the event)

Von Freeman Pavilion, North Promenade

• 11:30-12:25 — Eric Hochberg String Thing
• 12:40-13:35 — Alexis Lombre Quartet
• 13:50-14:45 — Anthony Bruno Quartet
• 15.00-16.00 – Jeb Bishop Quartet

Jay Pritzker Pavilion (Security gates open 2 hours before the event starts.)

• 16:15-17:05 — Juan Pastor Chinchano
• 17:25-18:10 — Walter Smith III Quartet
• 18:25-19:25 — Ari Brown Quintet
• 19:45-21:00 — Dianne Reeves

Millennium Park (Seat and Great Lawn open at 2:45 PM, any entry to the park means direct entry to the event)

Harris Theater Loft – Young Lions Jazz (Enter Randolph Street)

• 11:00 — Chicago Art High School
• 11:50 am — Midwest Young Artists Conservatory
• 12:40 pm — Lane Tech College Preparatory High
• 13:35- Whitney Young High School
• 14:25 — New Trier High School
• 3:15 pm — Kenwood Academy High School

Von Freeman Pavilion, North Promenade

• 11:30-12:25 — Alvin Cobb Jr.
• 12:40-13:35 — Devon Sandridge
• 13:50-14:45 — Theodis Rodgers Organ Trio
• 15:00-16:00 — Carmen Stokes

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

• 16:15-17:05 — Tammy McCann
• 17:25-18:10 — Brandee Younger
• 18:25-19:25 — Nduduzo Makhathini
• 19:45-21:00 — Makaya McCraven

Millennium Park (Seat and Great Lawn open at 2:45 PM, any entry to the park means direct entry to the event)

Harris Theater Penthouse – Next Generation Jazz (Enter Randolph Street)

• 11-11:40 — Saucedo Alumni Latin Jazz Collective
• 12-12:40 — Urban Horizons
• 13:00-13:40 — Charlie Reichert Powell and New River
• 14:00-14:40 — Neon Wilderness
• 15:00-15:40 — Mxmrys

Von Freeman Pavilion, North Promenade

• 11:30-12:25 — Herbsaint
• 12:40-13:35 — Tim Fitzgerald The Wes Montgomery Project
• 13:50-14:45 — Christian Dillingham Quartet
• 15:00-16:00 — The Seventh Recession of Petra

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

• 16:15-17:05 — Pharez Whitted Quintet
• 17:25-18:10 — Chicago Soul Jazz Collective with Dee Alexander
• 18:25-19:25 — Billy Valentine
• 19:45-21:00 — Juan de Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All Stars