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.

Thu, Jun 11, 6:30 PM

Thaddeus Tukes Quartet

Winter's Jazz Club / Streeterville / Map

Thaddeus Tukes - vibes; Jeremy Kahn - piano; Eric Hochberg - bass; Bob Rummage - drums

Thu, Jun 11, 8:30 PM

Thaddeus Tukes Quartet

Winter's Jazz Club / Streeterville / Map

Thaddeus Tukes - vibes; Jeremy Kahn - piano; Eric Hochberg - bass; Bob Rummage - drums

Named a 2024 Downbeat Magazine “Rising Star”, composer and percussionist Thaddeus Tukes is one of the most dynamic musicians in America. Presented as the "World's Best Vibraphonist" by World Expo 2020 in Dubai, his virtuosity and creativity "brings poetry to the vibraphone" (Chicago Tribune, 2019), which has captivated audiences around the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York City, Symphony Center in Chicago, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. As one of “Chicago’s Hidden Gems” (CBS, 2023), Thaddeus honors the legacy of the jazz tradition and beyond. Tukes began playing the piano at the age of five, and soon began inclusive percussion instruction with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association’s Percussion Scholarship Program. While studying classical music, he was inspired to play Jazz after hearing vibraphonists Lionel Hampton and Stefon Harris. At age 16, he received superior ratings in city- and state-wide solo competitions in classical music, and recognition as the best Illinois Jazz vibraphonist among high school competitors by the Illinois Music Education Association. Tukes graduated with a combined bachelor’s degree in Jazz piano and vibraphone studies from Northwestern University, the first Jazz vibraphone degree program at a non-conservatory university in the United States. The summer of 2020 found Tukes forming a group of local musicians called the Chicago Freedom Ensemble, a music performance and social justice advocacy organization. Through the Chicago Freedom Ensemble, he has supported and led protests, provided political and financial literacy for the local music community, conducted jam sessions throughout the city, and created a citywide network of young multicultural instrumentalists. Tukes, along with a small delegation of musicians, were performed at the 2020 World’s Expo in Dubai. That same year, Tukes and the ensemble led an impromptu Halloween parade in Tukes‘ childhood community, in an effort to reduce violent interactions between youth and the police. “Thriller on 53rd Street” has now become a yearly tradition in the neighborhood, sponsored by the residents and organized by Tukes. In addition to performances, Tukes teaches percussion ensembles at various elementary and high schools in the Chicagoland area. He gives masterclasses to music students at universities throughout the United States. A former apprentice of Chicago’s Gallery 37/After School Matters Jazz Band program during high school, Tukes is currently its director, mentoring the next generation of jazz musicians from Chicago. Tukes is currently pursuing a master's degree in music therapy.

Back to All Events Improvised Music Series: Tri-Centric Experiencer's Unit, Lion's Head Thursday, June 25, 2026 8:30 PM 10:30 PM Google Calendar ICS Tri-Centric Experiencer’s Unit (L-R: Mark Nagy, Ben Zucker, Fred Jackson, with overlay of Composition No 436 by Anthony Braxton) Cover image of Lion’s Head debut EP ( listen here) Two trios paying homage to the legacies of 70s avant-garde jazz: The Tri-Centric Experiencer’s Unit plays a landmark Anthony Braxton composition; Lion’s Head, named after mentor Richard Davis, interpolates free improvisation with hard-swinging classic repertoire. 8:30 pm: Composition No. 76 by Anthony Braxton, performed by the Tri-Centric Experiencer’s Unit Fred Jackson Jr. - saxophones, flute Mark Nagy - clarinets, saxophones Ben Zucker - vibraphone, trumpet All musicians on voice & little instruments 9:30: Lion’s Head Maggie Cousin - alto saxophone/bass clarinet Henry Ptacek - drums Aden Stier - bass $15 / $10 w/ Student ID - Tickets Available at the Door About The Artists The Tri-Centric Experiencers Unit is an evolving collective of Chicago musicians exploring the creative work of the groundbreaking composer-performer Anthony Braxton. First convened by Ben Zucker for an ensemble performance in 2024 featuring a multilayered rendition of Braxton’s modular, ’trans-idiomatic’ works, for this performance the focus is brought to a single piece: Composition 76, a landmark hybrid of notation, graphics, and improvisation featured on the historic 1977 Arista record For Trio. Expect the unexpected as multi-instrumentalists Fred Jackson Jr ., Mark Nagy , and Zucker bring a multitude of instruments big and small to realize the provocative score, in which trace of every dynamic, experimental music from bebop to Cagean silence to sound poetry might be heard. A collaboration between longtime friends Maggie Cousin, Aden Stier, and Henry Ptacek, Lion's Head seeks to make new improvised music rooted in the language of the jazz avant-garde of the late 60s and early 70s. Lion's Head treats the tradition as a living, urgent material, using the wisdom of their predecessors to navigate our shared here and now. Previous Previous June 23 Julie Meckler, Vee, Otto Rollo Next Next June 26 Elastro: Kristina Warren, Ben Zucker, Nu A.M.

Named a 2024 Downbeat Magazine “Rising Star”, composer and percussionist Thaddeus Tukes is one of the most dynamic musicians in America. Presented as the "World's Best Vibraphonist" by World Expo 2020 in Dubai, his virtuosity and creativity "brings poetry to the vibraphone" (Chicago Tribune, 2019), which has captivated audiences around the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York City, Symphony Center in Chicago, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. As one of “Chicago’s Hidden Gems” (CBS, 2023), Thaddeus honors the legacy of the jazz tradition and beyond. Tukes began playing the piano at the age of five, and soon began inclusive percussion instruction with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association’s Percussion Scholarship Program. While studying classical music, he was inspired to play Jazz after hearing vibraphonists Lionel Hampton and Stefon Harris. At age 16, he received superior ratings in city- and state-wide solo competitions in classical music, and recognition as the best Illinois Jazz vibraphonist among high school competitors by the Illinois Music Education Association. Tukes graduated with a combined bachelor’s degree in Jazz piano and vibraphone studies from Northwestern University, the first Jazz vibraphone degree program at a non-conservatory university in the United States. The summer of 2020 found Tukes forming a group of local musicians called the Chicago Freedom Ensemble, a music performance and social justice advocacy organization. Through the Chicago Freedom Ensemble, he has supported and led protests, provided political and financial literacy for the local music community, conducted jam sessions throughout the city, and created a citywide network of young multicultural instrumentalists. Tukes, along with a small delegation of musicians, were performed at the 2020 World’s Expo in Dubai. That same year, Tukes and the ensemble led an impromptu Halloween parade in Tukes‘ childhood community, in an effort to reduce violent interactions between youth and the police. “Thriller on 53rd Street” has now become a yearly tradition in the neighborhood, sponsored by the residents and organized by Tukes. In addition to performances, Tukes teaches percussion ensembles at various elementary and high schools in the Chicagoland area. He gives masterclasses to music students at universities throughout the United States. A former apprentice of Chicago’s Gallery 37/After School Matters Jazz Band program during high school, Tukes is currently its director, mentoring the next generation of jazz musicians from Chicago. Tukes is currently pursuing a master's degree in music therapy.

Named a 2024 Downbeat Magazine “Rising Star”, composer and percussionist Thaddeus Tukes is one of the most dynamic musicians in America. Presented as the "World's Best Vibraphonist" by World Expo 2020 in Dubai, his virtuosity and creativity "brings poetry to the vibraphone" (Chicago Tribune, 2019), which has captivated audiences around the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York City, Symphony Center in Chicago, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. As one of “Chicago’s Hidden Gems” (CBS, 2023), Thaddeus honors the legacy of the jazz tradition and beyond. Tukes began playing the piano at the age of five, and soon began inclusive percussion instruction with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association’s Percussion Scholarship Program. While studying classical music, he was inspired to play Jazz after hearing vibraphonists Lionel Hampton and Stefon Harris. At age 16, he received superior ratings in city- and state-wide solo competitions in classical music, and recognition as the best Illinois Jazz vibraphonist among high school competitors by the Illinois Music Education Association. Tukes graduated with a combined bachelor’s degree in Jazz piano and vibraphone studies from Northwestern University, the first Jazz vibraphone degree program at a non-conservatory university in the United States. The summer of 2020 found Tukes forming a group of local musicians called the Chicago Freedom Ensemble, a music performance and social justice advocacy organization. Through the Chicago Freedom Ensemble, he has supported and led protests, provided political and financial literacy for the local music community, conducted jam sessions throughout the city, and created a citywide network of young multicultural instrumentalists. Tukes, along with a small delegation of musicians, were performed at the 2020 World’s Expo in Dubai. That same year, Tukes and the ensemble led an impromptu Halloween parade in Tukes‘ childhood community, in an effort to reduce violent interactions between youth and the police. “Thriller on 53rd Street” has now become a yearly tradition in the neighborhood, sponsored by the residents and organized by Tukes. In addition to performances, Tukes teaches percussion ensembles at various elementary and high schools in the Chicagoland area. He gives masterclasses to music students at universities throughout the United States. A former apprentice of Chicago’s Gallery 37/After School Matters Jazz Band program during high school, Tukes is currently its director, mentoring the next generation of jazz musicians from Chicago. Tukes is currently pursuing a master's degree in music therapy.

Named a 2024 Downbeat Magazine “Rising Star”, composer and percussionist Thaddeus Tukes is one of the most dynamic musicians in America. Presented as the "World's Best Vibraphonist" by World Expo 2020 in Dubai, his virtuosity and creativity "brings poetry to the vibraphone" (Chicago Tribune, 2019), which has captivated audiences around the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York City, Symphony Center in Chicago, and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. As one of “Chicago’s Hidden Gems” (CBS, 2023), Thaddeus honors the legacy of the jazz tradition and beyond. Tukes began playing the piano at the age of five, and soon began inclusive percussion instruction with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association’s Percussion Scholarship Program. While studying classical music, he was inspired to play Jazz after hearing vibraphonists Lionel Hampton and Stefon Harris. At age 16, he received superior ratings in city- and state-wide solo competitions in classical music, and recognition as the best Illinois Jazz vibraphonist among high school competitors by the Illinois Music Education Association. Tukes graduated with a combined bachelor’s degree in Jazz piano and vibraphone studies from Northwestern University, the first Jazz vibraphone degree program at a non-conservatory university in the United States. The summer of 2020 found Tukes forming a group of local musicians called the Chicago Freedom Ensemble, a music performance and social justice advocacy organization. Through the Chicago Freedom Ensemble, he has supported and led protests, provided political and financial literacy for the local music community, conducted jam sessions throughout the city, and created a citywide network of young multicultural instrumentalists. Tukes, along with a small delegation of musicians, were performed at the 2020 World’s Expo in Dubai. That same year, Tukes and the ensemble led an impromptu Halloween parade in Tukes‘ childhood community, in an effort to reduce violent interactions between youth and the police. “Thriller on 53rd Street” has now become a yearly tradition in the neighborhood, sponsored by the residents and organized by Tukes. In addition to performances, Tukes teaches percussion ensembles at various elementary and high schools in the Chicagoland area. He gives masterclasses to music students at universities throughout the United States. A former apprentice of Chicago’s Gallery 37/After School Matters Jazz Band program during high school, Tukes is currently its director, mentoring the next generation of jazz musicians from Chicago. Tukes is currently pursuing a master's degree in music therapy.