Live Jazz in Chicago

FREE ADMISSION Jazz jam sessions have long been the place where musicians gather to connect, perform together, and hone their skills. Historically, jam sessions take place after-hours in the clubs, making it impossible for student musicians to participate. The Jazz Links Jam Session creates a live performance opportunity where student musicians can learn, grow, and connect with their jazz community. The JAZZ LINKS JAM SESSIONS take place every month at The Jazz Showcase from October through May from 5:00pm-7:00pm. Students perform with one another and with the Jazz Links house band, which Includes world-class, professional jazz musicians. WHO CAN JAM? Students age 9-19 perform with one another and with the Jazz Links Mentors in the house. WHO SHOULD ATTEND THE JAM SESSION? Musicians, parents, students, siblings, and friends are all welcome and encouraged to attend these free events. HOW DOES IT WORK? Students sign up on-site, and fill out a jam session info card listing three to five tunes they can play and improvise on from memory. The jam session host calls up groups of students to perform and improvise together in front of an enthusiastic live audience. WHAT SHOULD I BRING? Bring your trumpet/saxophone/trombone/voice/flute/vibes/drumsticks and a list of jazz standard tunes that you know and can improvise over. A vocal microphone, drum set, double bass, bass amp, and piano are provided for each session. The Jazz Institute of Chicago gratefully acknowledges the following for their support of the Jazz Links Education Program: The Alphawood Foundation | The Benjamin Rosenthal Foundation | A CityArts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events | Crown Family Philanthropies| Dan J. Epstein Family Foundation | The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation | The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation| Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency | The Oppenheimer Family Foundation | The Polk Bros. Foundation| The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince | The Walder Foundation.

Back to All Events Relax Attack Jazz Series: Interim Assassin Tuesday, June 16, 2026 9:00 PM 10:00 PM Google Calendar ICS Falling loosely in the cracks between post-rock jazz improvisation and ambient electronic minimalism, Interim Assassin presents communication in pursuit of a good moment. An open exploration of sound playing with the possibilities of sustain, silence, space, texture, environment, and pattern. Embracing the beauty of harmony and dissonance whenever possible. Erik Sowa is a Chicago based drummer/multi-instrumentalist whose musical directions are informed by free improvisation, jazz, ambient/noise, post rock, and afro-beat traditions. In recent years, Erik has collaborated with a wide range of performers of varied musical genres including Peter Maunu, Norman Long, Ben Schmidt-Swartz, Mai Sugimoto, Thomas Comerford, and Snek Trio. In 2022, Erik released a self-titled solo album of instrumental compositions titled "Cedar Lake Recordings Vol. 1" which was reviewed in Dusted Magazine. Daniel Burke : Guitar, Keys, synth, field recordings, & devices has been equally influenced by atonal modern classical, the ambient music of Brian Eno, the nuanced and free improvisation approach of AMM, and the industrial machinations of Throbbing Gristle. Dan has been playing with sound since the early 80’s as Illusion of Safety. He has collaborated with Jim O’Rourke, Darin Gray, Jon Mueller, & Olivia Block, and with ensemble groups CHEER-ACCIDENT, & Tertium Quid (Bill Horist & Dave Abramson). Jeb Bishop: Trombone & electronics, has been heavily involved in Chicago's experimental music scene since the '90s, from jazz to free improv to the avant-garde hybrid genre post-rock. He has been a member or recorded with a wide variety of collaborators, including The Flying Luttenbachers, Stereolab, Vandermark Five, Jim O'Rourke, Gastr del Sol, The Sea and Cake, and The Peter Brotzmann Chicago Tentet. Every Tuesday and Wednesday, we present Chicago’s top jazz artists in a lively atmosphere, full of cocktail-shaking and spirited conversation. 6pm doors / 9pm jazz / 2 sets / no cover Tagged: Wednesday Previous Previous June 14 Disco Kitchen, Volume 3 Release Party Next Next June 17 Relax Attack Jazz Series: GARM (June 2026 Edition)

Back to All Events Improvised Music Series: TV Pow + Open Seki + J0Y feat. Matthew Davis Thursday, June 18, 2026 8:30 PM 11:00 PM Google Calendar ICS TV Pow Matthew Davis Open Seki The experimental electronic heavyweights TV Pow kick off a tour. Matthew Davis performs with solo project on the heels of his recent release Free, ambient duo Open Seki kicks off the evening. 8:30 pm: Open Seki John Biggers - electronics, various instruments Nathan Tucker - electronics, various instruments 9:15 pm: J0Y feat. Matthew Davis Matthew Davis - trombone, electronics, vocals 10:15 pm: TV Pow Michael Hartman - electronics Todd A. Carter - electronics Brent Gutzeit - electronics Formed in Tokyo in 1995 and based in Chicago since 1996, TV Pow is a trio of composers and free improvisers working across experimental electronic music. Working across experimental electronic music and free improvisation, the trio uses samplers, synthesizers, laptops, percussion, invented instruments, turntables, and tape manipulation to create evolving soundscapes that blend electronics, ambient drift, minimalist structures, and field recordings. J0Y. /joi/ noun A profound, long-lasting state of intense happiness, contentment, and inner peace, often arising from connection, purpose, or gratitude. Matthew Davis (J0Y.) is a Chicago-based composer, improviser, and multi-instrumentalist rooted in the past, working in the present and gazing to the future. His evolving practice incorporates synthesizers, plant-based sound systems, and diverse acoustic instruments to create textured, immersive compositions. His work moves fluidly between structure and spontaneity, creating hypnotic groves, infectious melodies, and cosmic sonic landscapes. A seasoned performer, MD has toured extensively around the world, developing a reputation for captivating, exploratory live sets. His latest album, “ Free ” demonstrates his fierce creativity and instrumental prowess. Open Seki is the duo of John Biggers (Hefty) and Nathan Tucker (SKAM, Wobblyhead, Consumers Research & Development), endeavoring to scratch that undefinable itch through pulse exploration and phased aural stimulation. $15 / $10 w/ Student ID - Tickets Available at the Door Tagged: improvised music series Previous Previous June 16 'The Harbingers' Live Listening Event Next Next June 20 John O'Neill, GS70, existence decay

Sat, Jun 20, 7:30 PM

The John Dokes Big Band

Winter's Jazz Club / Streeterville / Map

John Dokes - vocals; Jeremy Kahn - piano; Marion Mallard - bass; Neil Hemphill - drums; David Gibson - trombone (arranger); Miles Fanklin Smith - trumpet; Ed Sullivan - alto sax; Eric Jacobson - trumpet; Chris Madsen - tenor sax; Andy Schlinder - baritone sax

Sat, Jun 20, 9:30 PM

The John Dokes Big Band

Winter's Jazz Club / Streeterville / Map

John Dokes - vocals; Jeremy Kahn - piano; Marion Mallard - bass; Neil Hemphill - drums; David Gibson - trombone (arranger); Miles Fanklin Smith - trumpet; Ed Sullivan - alto sax; Eric Jacobson - trumpet; Chris Madsen - tenor sax; Andy Schlinder - baritone sax

Brenan Whalen - trombone Addison Jordan - tenor saxophone Julius Tucker - piano Carmani Edwards - bass Christian Hindrato - drums Dakarai Barclay is a trumpet player and educator based in Chicago, Illinois. With each performance, Dakarai seeks to pay homage to the origins of Black American music, in all its forms, and those whose legacies we are indebted to. Outside of leading his own projects, Dakarai has played with musicians such as Willerm Delisfort, Winard Harper, Marlene Rosenberg, Jarrard Harris, Ernest Dawkins, Emma Blau and many more.

Brenan Whalen - trombone Addison Jordan - tenor saxophone Julius Tucker - piano Carmani Edwards - bass Christian Hindrato - drums Dakarai Barclay is a trumpet player and educator based in Chicago, Illinois. With each performance, Dakarai seeks to pay homage to the origins of Black American music, in all its forms, and those whose legacies we are indebted to. Outside of leading his own projects, Dakarai has played with musicians such as Willerm Delisfort, Winard Harper, Marlene Rosenberg, Jarrard Harris, Ernest Dawkins, Emma Blau and many more.