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.

Back to All Events AACM Presents: Dameun Strange Tuesday, June 9, 2026 7:30 PM 9:30 PM Google Calendar ICS Acclaimed composer and multi-instrumentalist Dameun Strange is set to present a series of afrofuturist experiments at Elastic Arts. This performance, supported by Sonic Vanguard, serves as a cornerstone of his AACM composition residency. The evening promises an immersive exploration of sound and sight, featuring a diverse program that pushes the boundaries of traditional performance: Solo Audio-Visual Piece: A dedicated work exploring the intersection of solo instrumentation and synchronized digital media. 4D Visual Score Integrations: Two distinct audio-video pieces utilizing an innovative 4D visual score system. Project | AD: A featured work-in-progress that draws deep inspiration from the life and enduring social legacy of Angela Davis. Through these afrofuturist lenses, Strange continues to investigate the potential for technological integration within the rich tradition of creative improvised music. Project AD | Genesis This work in progress serves as a critical examination of the legacy of Angela Davis, utilizing a 4D visual score to explore themes of liberation and resilience. It represents a continuation of Strange's interest in non-linear storytelling and ritual performance. Helianthus | Sankofa Originally premiered as a Cedar Commission in 2017, Helianthus functions as a ritualistic vehicle for ancestor worship, specifically honoring the matriarchs who raised Strange. The "Sankofa" iteration utilizes the new 4D scoring methodology to create an immersive, interdimensional travel experience for performers and audience alike, moving beyond the linear constraints of traditional staff notation. AquaSonos | Hydrologic Born from Strange's 2019 residency in Senegal, the AquaSonos canon uses graphic notation to explore genetic memory and the African diaspora's relationship with water. This installment, Hydrologic , leverages advanced 4D scoring techniques developed during his residency with the Capitol Region Watershed District in Saint Paul, MN to map complex, recurring rhythmic cycles. Artist Bio Dameun Maurice Strange is a Saint Paul, MN-based sound artist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer renowned for his conceptual chamber and electronic works that delve into stories of the African diaspora through an Afrofuturist lens. His artistic mission is to articulate the beauty and resilience of the Black experience through sound, music, and poetry, drawing on ancestral narratives to bridge the past, present, and future. Strange's innovative sound experiments fuse West African polyrhythms, synthesizers, contemporary jazz harmonies, and found sounds, field recordings, and historic recordings to craft modern Afrofuturist performances that transcend conventional genre boundaries. Previous Previous June 8 Priya Fink's 'The Middle' Next Next June 10 CLEAT Series: BARAS + Jared Kelley 'Irrational Machines'

(8pm – midnight) CHICAGO CELLAR BOYS Tuesday June 9 8:00pm - 12:00am $10 cover Chicago Cellar Boys featuring: Andy Schumm – cornet, clarinet, saxophone John Otto – clarinet, saxophone Natalie Scharf – clarinet, saxophone Jim Barrett – banjo, guitar Paul Asaro – piano, vocals Dan Anderson – tuba, bass

Greg Murphy - piano Micah Collier - bass Vincent Davis - drums Irving Quartman - trumpet From Chicago roots to New York jazz royalty, Greg Murphy has carved a path through the world of music, bridging generations with innovation and fearless creativity. A longtime collaborator with Coltrane drummer Rashied Ali, Greg has shared stages with everyone from Ornette Coleman to Carlos Santana. His piano work spans continents and styles, earning him two #1 JazzWeek albums—Bright Idea (2019) and Snap Happy (2025)—plus an Oscar-nominated soundtrack credit. With grooves that stretch from classic to cutting-edge, Greg remains a vital voice in modern jazz. — Free Admission — 1 drink minimum

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.

Back to All Events Relax Attack Jazz Series: Andrew Lawrence Trio Tuesday, June 9, 2026 9:00 PM 10:00 PM Google Calendar ICS Andrew Lawrence is one of the top-call pianists and keyboardists for live performances and recordings in the Chicago-area. Andrew's fluidity with classical and jazz piano, in addition to keyboards and synthesizers, has allowed him to perform with a wide variety of artists across many styles. He has shared the stage with artists such as Greg Ward, Matt Ulery, Isaiah Sharkey, and Makaya McCraven. In addition to his freelance work, Andrew splits his time between the prog rock band District 97, the jazz fusion band Bonzo Squad, the high-octane nine-piece horn band New Nostalgia, the world's premiere Chrono Trigger cover band Kingdom of Zeal, and the Andrew Lawrence Trio. His debut solo album, "Trialogue," was released in January 2019, and rose to #8 on the Roots Music Reports jazz charts. His most recent EP "Live at Chicago Electric Piano Company" was released in February 2025. Andrew Lawrence - piano John Tate - bass Greg Artry- drums 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 9 Milwaukee Avenue Messenger Summer Issue Launch Party Next Next June 10 Test Literary Series (June 2026 Edition)

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.

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.