Live Jazz in Chicago

Showtimes: 6pm-7:15pm & 8:15pm-9:30pm Isaiah Sharkey started his recording career and served as a sideman for gospel artists such as Smokie Norful, Donald Lawrence and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. He also toured as lead guitarist with Ronald Isley and recorded two albums with him. In 2009, Isaiah started working with artist D’Angelo on his third album, Black Messiah, which won the 2015 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. Based on his work and contribution to the project, Isaiah received his first Grammy. Isaiah also has worked, recorded, and toured with several world-renown and Grammy award winning artists including John Mayer, Patti LaBelle, Christopher Martin of Coldplay, Paul Simon, Corrine Bailey Rae, Mike Posner, Keith Urban, Brian McKnight, Boyz II Men, Lalah Hathaway, Raphael Saadiq, Chris Dave and the DrumHedz, Regina Bell, Ruben Studdard, Lupe Fiasco, Kelly Price, Faith Evans, Rance Allen, The Winans, The Clark Sisters and many others. Isaiah Sharkey is poised to take center stage as he fuses together his background in rock, gospel, jazz, R&B, blues, and funk to create an original sound with an unmistakable dose of soul. Originating from Chicago, IL, Charles “Rick” Heath IV is a versatile and renowned musician from local to international levels. Playing anything from Jazz and Blues to Gospel and Latin music, his signature sound is prominent in the recording studios, concert settings, live Broadway theater platforms, and as the drummer for late pianist and jazz legend Ramsey Lewis. Some of his proudest accolades include works with Donald Byrd, McCoy Tyner, and Slide Hampton. He also served as the resident drummer with the national tour of Oprah Winfrey and Quincy Jones’ theater production of “The Color Purple.” He is often rotating hats of composer, band leader, recording artist, musical director, producer and teacher and simply inspires and outreaches to his surrounding communities at all times.

Showtimes: 6pm-7:15pm & 8:15pm-9:30pm Isaiah Sharkey started his recording career and served as a sideman for gospel artists such as Smokie Norful, Donald Lawrence and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. He also toured as lead guitarist with Ronald Isley and recorded two albums with him. In 2009, Isaiah started working with artist D’Angelo on his third album, Black Messiah, which won the 2015 Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. Based on his work and contribution to the project, Isaiah received his first Grammy. Isaiah also has worked, recorded, and toured with several world-renown and Grammy award winning artists including John Mayer, Patti LaBelle, Christopher Martin of Coldplay, Paul Simon, Corrine Bailey Rae, Mike Posner, Keith Urban, Brian McKnight, Boyz II Men, Lalah Hathaway, Raphael Saadiq, Chris Dave and the DrumHedz, Regina Bell, Ruben Studdard, Lupe Fiasco, Kelly Price, Faith Evans, Rance Allen, The Winans, The Clark Sisters and many others. Isaiah Sharkey is poised to take center stage as he fuses together his background in rock, gospel, jazz, R&B, blues, and funk to create an original sound with an unmistakable dose of soul. Originating from Chicago, IL, Charles “Rick” Heath IV is a versatile and renowned musician from local to international levels. Playing anything from Jazz and Blues to Gospel and Latin music, his signature sound is prominent in the recording studios, concert settings, live Broadway theater platforms, and as the drummer for late pianist and jazz legend Ramsey Lewis. Some of his proudest accolades include works with Donald Byrd, McCoy Tyner, and Slide Hampton. He also served as the resident drummer with the national tour of Oprah Winfrey and Quincy Jones’ theater production of “The Color Purple.” He is often rotating hats of composer, band leader, recording artist, musical director, producer and teacher and simply inspires and outreaches to his surrounding communities at all times.

Showtimes: 6:00pm-7:15pm & 8:15-9:30pm Originating from Chicago, IL, Charles “Rick” Heath IV is a versatile and renowned musician from local to international levels. Playing anything from Jazz and Blues to Gospel and Latin music, his signature sound is prominent in the recording studios, concert settings, live Broadway theater platforms, and as the drummer for late pianist and jazz legend Ramsey Lewis. Some of his proudest accolades include works with Donald Byrd, McCoy Tyner, and Slide Hampton. He also served as the resident drummer with the national tour of Oprah Winfrey and Quincy Jones’ theater production of “The Color Purple.” He is often rotating hats of composer, band leader, recording artist, musical director, producer and teacher and simply inspires and outreaches to his surrounding communities at all times. Heath’s prominent sound can be heard on recordings with Ramsey Lewis, Robert “Babe” Irving III, Bobby Broom, Zvonimir Tot, Larry Gray, Sergio Perez, Ken Chaney and the Roger Harris Trio. He proudly launched his first independent recording project entitled “Conversations” encompassing the sound of his very own Charles Heath Quartet.

Showtimes: 6:00pm-7:15pm & 8:15pm-9:30pm Originating from Chicago, IL, Charles “Rick” Heath IV is a versatile and renowned musician from local to international levels. Playing anything from Jazz and Blues to Gospel and Latin music, his signature sound is prominent in the recording studios, concert settings, live Broadway theater platforms, and as the drummer for late pianist and jazz legend Ramsey Lewis. Some of his proudest accolades include works with Donald Byrd, McCoy Tyner, and Slide Hampton. He also served as the resident drummer with the national tour of Oprah Winfrey and Quincy Jones’ theater production of “The Color Purple.” He is often rotating hats of composer, band leader, recording artist, musical director, producer and teacher and simply inspires and outreaches to his surrounding communities at all times. Heath’s prominent sound can be heard on recordings with Ramsey Lewis, Robert “Babe” Irving III, Bobby Broom, Zvonimir Tot, Larry Gray, Sergio Perez, Ken Chaney and the Roger Harris Trio. He proudly launched his first independent recording project entitled “Conversations” encompassing the sound of his very own Charles Heath Quartet.

Showtimes: 10:00pm The Last Minute Jam is the return of the Andy’s Jazz Club Jam Session focused on jazz standards presented by a variety of professional local performing artists. These sessions will tap into the “who’s who” in the Chicago Jazz Scene today as well as welcome up-and-comers the chance to cut their teeth. Drummer Charles “Rick” Heath has stepped up to take the helm of this weekly late night jam session. The Last Minute Jam will begin by 10pm. Artists wishing to join the session must sign in by the piano upon arriving in order to be called up on stage to perform. The Jam Session has been a long standing tradition in Jazz throughout the years. Jam sessions are often used to develop new material, find suitable arrangements, or simply as a social gathering and communal practice session. Jam sessions may be based upon existing songs or forms, may be loosely based on an agreed chord progression or chart suggested by one participant, or may be wholly improvisational. You never know who just may stop in for a quick Jam!

Showtimes: 6:00pm-7:15pm & 8:15pm-9:30pm As a Chicago native, Mario Abney’s trumpet playing fuses traditional and extended techniques in an inventive way. His uniquely personal vision for music endows it with an infinite array of tonal colors. He is recognized for his ability to create pure musical dialogues and hear music in a universally spiritual way. These qualities make him one of New Orleans’ most pioneering young jazz musicians. Trumpeter, composer and bandleader Mario Abney’s musical career began at age 7 when he was introduced to the piano by his uncle Arthur. Influenced by both his uncle’s playing and the musical background of his church, Abney developed a love and fascination for music that grew throughout his years in high school. It was during this time that his interest turned from piano and drums to wind instruments; however, he continued to hone his percussion skills by playing drums for church services. Mario’s first encounter with jazz was when he heard the sounds of trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. This sparked a fascination and soon Mario began to explore music by Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and other great trumpet players who established this genre. Fast forwarding to 2024, Mario Abney is once again gracing the stages of his beloved hometown Chicago. From iconic venues to up-and-coming spots, he’s become a regular feature with fans eagerly anticipating each and every performance.

Showtimes: 6:00pm-7:15pm & 8:15pm-9:30pm As a Chicago native, Mario Abney’s trumpet playing fuses traditional and extended techniques in an inventive way. His uniquely personal vision for music endows it with an infinite array of tonal colors. He is recognized for his ability to create pure musical dialogues and hear music in a universally spiritual way. These qualities make him one of New Orleans’ most pioneering young jazz musicians. Trumpeter, composer and bandleader Mario Abney’s musical career began at age 7 when he was introduced to the piano by his uncle Arthur. Influenced by both his uncle’s playing and the musical background of his church, Abney developed a love and fascination for music that grew throughout his years in high school. It was during this time that his interest turned from piano and drums to wind instruments; however, he continued to hone his percussion skills by playing drums for church services. Mario’s first encounter with jazz was when he heard the sounds of trumpeter Wynton Marsalis. This sparked a fascination and soon Mario began to explore music by Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and other great trumpet players who established this genre. Fast forwarding to 2024, Mario Abney is once again gracing the stages of his beloved hometown Chicago. From iconic venues to up-and-coming spots, he’s become a regular feature with fans eagerly anticipating each and every performance.

Showtimes: 10:00pm The Chi-Nola Jam Session is an all-professional jam session hosted by the cats of the Mario Abney Quintet showcasing an emphasis on the grit, grind and creativity the Chicago scene is known for with a blending of nostalgia laden New Orleans scene. These sessions will tap into the “who’s who” in the Chicago Jazz Scene today while also welcoming the city’s top young lions to share the stage. The Jam Session will begin by 10pm. Artists wishing to join the session must sign in by the piano upon arriving in order to be called up on stage to perform. The Jam Session has been a long standing tradition in Jazz throughout the years. Jam sessions are often used to develop new material, find suitable arrangements, or simply as a social gathering and communal practice session. Jam sessions may be based upon existing songs or forms, may be loosely based on an agreed chord progression or chart suggested by one participant, or may be wholly improvisational. You never know who just may stop in for a quick Jam!