WElcome to FRONT ROW
Jazz Institute of Chicago presents Front Row, a series of concerts, masterclasses, panel discussions, and talks all about jazz, recorded in our offices on the fifth floor of Chicago’s iconic Fine Arts Building. Overlooking Michigan Avenue, Buckingham Fountain, and Lake Michigan, the performance space also offers one of Chicago’s most captivating views.
Since 1969, JIC has produced some of the highest quality jazz experiences in the world and educated the public and our city’s youth on the power of jazz to connect people and change lives. Front Row evolved from the Jazz Institute of Chicago’s public and education programs while taking full advantage of the distinct location. With exclusive and intimate performances, discussions, talks, and masterclasses, Front Row showcases of the rich tapestry of jazz and its performers, and furthers the JIC mission to promote and nurture jazz in all its forms
Jazz Institute of Chicago members receive exclusive invitations to these intimate and thrilling Front Row events and performances recorded and released on our website.
PREMIERING THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17 at 3PM
Live The Spirit Residency Presents The Young Masters under the direction of Ernest Dawkins plus a very special pre-concert conversation between Ernest Dawkins and JIC’s own Zakiya Fola. Recorded on September 18, 2024 in the Jazz Institute of Chicago office in the historic Fine Arts Building.
Live The Spirit Residency Presents The Young Masters under the direction of Ernest Dawkins.
Recorded live at the Jazz Institute of Chicago office in Chicago's Fine Arts Building on September 18, 2024.
Ernest Dawkins - Alto Sax
Jamal Damien- Trumpet
Miles Richey -Piano
Galen Morris- Bass
Macari Ramsey - Drums
A special pre-concert conversation with Live The Spirit Residency and Englewood Jazz Festival founder Ernest Dawkins.
Recorded live at the Jazz Institute of Chicago office in Chicago's Fine Arts Building on September 18, 2024.
Ernest Dawkins and Jazz Institute of Chicago's Zakiya Fola
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FRONT ROW CONCERTS
Live The Spirit Residency Presents The Young Masters under the direction of Ernest Dawkins.
Recorded live at the Jazz Institute of Chicago office in Chicago's Fine Arts Building on September 18, 2024.
Ernest Dawkins - Alto Sax
Jamal Damien- Trumpet
Miles Richey -Piano
Galen Morris- Bass
Macari Ramsey - Drums
MEAGAN MCNEAL QUINTET Recorded on August 28, 2024 in the Jazz Institute of Chicago's office in the Fine Arts Building on Michigan Avenue in Chicago.
Meagan McNeal - vocals; Len'I McKinney - saxophone; JoAnn Daugherty - keys; Marion Mallard - bass; Cami Mennitte - drums
SET LIST: Morning Glory, Ne Me Quitte Pas, My Baby Just Cares For Me, Sunflower Misty
Jazz Institute of Chicago's premiere Front Row concert featuring the Lenard Simpson Quartet recorded on June 20, 2024. A small invited audience was treated to all original compositions by Lenard Simpson, including songs from his release New Beginnings and performed by his quartet. Lenard Simpson on saxophone, Julius Tucker on piano, Samuel Jewell on drums, and Runere Brooks on bass.
To download Lenard's release New Beginnings, go here.
More Front Row videos coming soon! Meanwhile scroll down for other JIC videos and visit our youtube page.
FRONT ROW INTERVIEWS
A special pre-concert conversation with Live The Spirit Residency and Englewood Jazz Festival founder Ernest Dawkins.
Recorded on September 18, 2024 with Ernest Dawkins and Jazz Institute of Chicago's Zakiya Fola
Ernest Dawkins with Zakiya Foloa
Dr. Roosevelt Griffin III
Dr. Roosevelt Griffin III talks about his Chicago Jazz Festival presentation “What Is This Thing Called Jazz?” This annual Chicago Jazz Festival forum explores the questions of why it is monumentally important to American culture and how we all can and should be involved. Dr. Roosevelt Griffin III
Alejandro Salazar
Former Jazz Institute of Chicago Jazz Links Student Council Member, percussionist, and all around great guy, Alejandro Salazar covers his entry into music by way of the Jazz Institute of Chicago and his performance at the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival.
Lakecia Benjamin
Lakecia Benjamin about her getting started on the recorder along to Biggie Smalls songs, playing with U2, Coltrane inspirations, her newest record Phoenix Reimagined, a shout out to the South Side of Chicago, playing at the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival and much more!
Jason Adasiewicz
Jazz Institute of Chicago's Wanjiku Kairu interviews vibraphonist Jason Adasiewicz about his start in music in the alt/indie world and his entry into jazz. Jason plays the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival on Thursday, August 29 at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Raymond A. Thomas
Chicago artist and Creative Director, Raymond A. Thomas, of the Jazz Institute of Chicago talks with Wanjiku Kairu about his painting "Joberg Jam"; part of the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival representing the origins of Jazz.
James Brandon Lewis
A lovely chat with James Brandon Lewis. He talks about his first experiences with music and distinguishes the difference between being forced to learn and being required to learn and the path through his exciting career to the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival.
Dennis Carroll
Chicago jazz great Dennis Carroll about his life in music and his upcoming performance at the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival on Saturday August 31 at 4:15PM on the Pritzker Pavilion Stage at Chicago's beautiful Millennium Park.
Terence Blanchard
Musician, and composer Terence Blanchard by Jazz Institute of Chicago's Heather Ireland Robinson. Also joining the interview are Chicago based jazz drummer Quin Kirchner, guitarist Dave Miller, and bassist Christian Dillingham as well as Jill LeCesne Potter of the Chicago Lyric Opera.
FRONT ROW INTERVIEWS
A special pre-concert conversation with Live The Spirit Residency and Englewood Jazz Festival founder Ernest Dawkins.
Recorded on September 18, 2024 with Ernest Dawkins and Jazz Institute of Chicago's Zakiya Fola
Ernest Dawkins with Zakiya Foloa
Dr. Roosevelt Griffin III
Dr. Roosevelt Griffin III talks about his Chicago Jazz Festival presentation “What Is This Thing Called Jazz?” This annual Chicago Jazz Festival forum explores the questions of why it is monumentally important to American culture and how we all can and should be involved. Dr. Roosevelt Griffin III
Alejandro Salazar
Former Jazz Institute of Chicago Jazz Links Student Council Member, percussionist, and all around great guy, Alejandro Salazar covers his entry into music by way of the Jazz Institute of Chicago and his performance at the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival.
Lakecia Benjamin
Lakecia Benjamin about her getting started on the recorder along to Biggie Smalls songs, playing with U2, Coltrane inspirations, her newest record Phoenix Reimagined, a shout out to the South Side of Chicago, playing at the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival and much more!
Jason Adasiewicz
Jazz Institute of Chicago's Wanjiku Kairu interviews vibraphonist Jason Adasiewicz about his start in music in the alt/indie world and his entry into jazz. Jason plays the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival on Thursday, August 29 at the Chicago Cultural Center.
Raymond A. Thomas
Chicago artist and Creative Director, Raymond A. Thomas, of the Jazz Institute of Chicago talks with Wanjiku Kairu about his painting "Joberg Jam"; part of the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival representing the origins of Jazz.
James Brandon Lewis
A lovely chat with James Brandon Lewis. He talks about his first experiences with music and distinguishes the difference between being forced to learn and being required to learn and the path through his exciting career to the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival.
Dennis Carroll
Chicago jazz great Dennis Carroll about his life in music and his upcoming performance at the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival on Saturday August 31 at 4:15PM on the Pritzker Pavilion Stage at Chicago's beautiful Millennium Park.
Terence Blanchard
Musician, and composer Terence Blanchard by Jazz Institute of Chicago's Heather Ireland Robinson. Also joining the interview are Chicago based jazz drummer Quin Kirchner, guitarist Dave Miller, and bassist Christian Dillingham as well as Jill LeCesne Potter of the Chicago Lyric Opera.
Front Row is proud to receive generous support from the following organizations
The Allstate Foundation; The Alphawood Foundation; a CityArts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; Chicago's Cultural Treasures; The Darling Family Foundation; The Field Foundation; The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelly Foundation; The Glossberg Foundation; The Illinois Arts Council Agency, a state agency; Shure Incorporated; The Oppenheimer Family Foundation; The Walder Foundation