New Jazz Roots Stage Schedules

Jazz and jazz influenced music by young and emerging artists

A newer addition to the Fest is the New Jazz Roots stage at the end of Lyndale near Leavitt. Curated by fest neighbors Blake Beckstrom and his son Lane, the stage features jazz and jazz influenced music by young and emerging artists. Since beginning the fest in 2009, Lane has found incredible success with his band Kids These Days including gigs at Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s inauguration and a spot at Lollapalooza 2011.  This year the lead  programming director for the stage is Rajiv Halim.

Saturday, August 25, 2012

1:00 – 2:00 pm  – The Whitney Young High School Jazz Combo

The Whitney Young High School Jazz Combo performs under the direction of Mr. Anthony Lanzino.

2:30 – 3:30 pm – Robbie Doctor

Robbie Doctor is two drum sets sounded together in rhythmic counterpoint with dense melodies and harmony provided by guitar. They are inspired by a variety of styles ranging from 20th century minimalism, Jazz, eastern Indian traditions and electronic music.

4:00 – 5:00 pm – Katie Ernst Trio

Described by the Naperville Sun as a “double-talented” jazz bassist and vocalist, Katie Ernst has impressed audiences nationwide with her multifaceted performances. Katie has performed at the Chicago Jazz Festival, the Rochester International Jazz Festival, the Naperville Jazz Festival, and many others. In 2007, she received a Downbeat Award for her singing and was featured in Downbeat Magazine’s June issue. Katie holds a degree in double bass performance from the Eastman School of Music.

5:30 – 7:00 pm – The Marquis Hill Blacktet

At age 25, Marquis Hill is already a well-known name on the Chicago jazz scene. He has toured the U.S and abroad and performed with artist such as: Dee Alexander, Bobby Broom, Willie Pickens, and Ron Perrillo. Marquis Hill just received his Masters degree inJazz Pedagogy from De Paul University.

Sunday, August 26, 2012

1:00 – 2:00 pm – Y-Phi

Y-Phi came together while playing gigs around Chicago for their high school jazz band. They traded influences from jazz, funk, hip-hop, and indie rock to craft a unique, rhythmically-intensive, improvisational sound that’s both challenging and catchy.  Y-Phi is drummer Yael Litwin, bassist PT Bell, keyboardist Henry Harboe, and guitarist Isaac Nicholas.

2:30 – 3:30 pm  – The Lane Tech High School Jazz Combo

The jazz combo from Lane Tech High School performs under the direction of Joseph Sweet.

4:00 – 5:00 pm  – Justefan

Justin “Justefan” Thomas was introduced to the vibraphone at the age of eight and soon after appeared on the nationally televised program, Showtime at the Apollo, garnering second place in their final competition. He has now played with Ryan Cohan, Charles Heath IV, Maggie Brown, Milton Suggs, Chicago Jazz Ensemble, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and many others. Justin holds a Bachelor of Music degree in JazzStudies from DePaul University.  Justefan brings his trio to the New Jazz Roots stage this year.

5:30 – 7:00 pm – Rajiv Halim’s Good Music Ensemble

Rajiv Halim is a saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and educator. In 2010, Rajiv won 1st place in Division II in The Union League Civic and Arts Foundation’s Jazz Improvisation Competition. Between September 2009 and August 2011, Rajiv performed around North America with the eclectic band Kids These Days. Rajiv has performed and/or recorded with such outstanding artists as Antonio Hart, Lisa Henry, Von Freeman, Mike Stern, Martha Reeves, Bob Mintzer, Orbert Davis, Ernest Dawkins, Ari Brown, Maggie Brown, Corey Wilkes, Ernie Adams, The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, and many others.

A newer addition to the Fest is the New Jazz Roots stage at the end of Lyndale near Leavitt. Curated by  fest neighbors Blake Beckstrom and his son Lane, the stage gives talented youth a way to show off their musical chops. Since beginning the fest in 2009, Lane has found incredible success with his band Kids These Days including gigs at Mayor Rahm Emmanuel’s inauguration and a spot at Lollapalooza 2011.

Saturday, August 27, 2011

11:30 am – 12:30 pm    Lane Tech Jazz Combo

The jazz combo from Lane Tech High School performs under the direction of Joseph Sweet and features James Wenzel on Bass, Nicky Cameron on Piano, Max Albekier on Drums and Anthony Defrancisco on Trombone.

1:00 – 2:00 pm    Mike King

Mike King started out playing drums but took up piano in high school.  By his sophomore year he was selected for the Ravinia Jazz Scholars program where he met Ramsey Lewis and opened for his show at the Black United Fund Torch Passing ceremony. During high school Mike was also a part of the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute program and toured with jazz superstars Antonio Hart and Lisa Henry, as well as sharing a stage with Herbie Hancock. Michael will be a junior at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music in the fall.

2:30 – 3:30 pm – The Lane Beckstrom Trio

New Jazz Roots Stage programming director Lane Beckstrom brings his trio back to the fest for a third year. The trio plays all original compositions and features Lane Beckstrom on bass, Chris Misa on piano and Rob Fletcher on drums.

4:00 – 5:00 pm – Justefan (Justin Thomas)

Justin Thomas has been studying music since the age of 4. His natural musical curiosity and skill led him to the vibraphone on which he captured 2nd place on the national television show, Showtime at the Apollo. He has played with jazz artists Lionel Hampton, Cyrus Chestnut, Max Roach, Phil Woods, and Wynton Marsalis, among others.  Justin is a recent graduate of DePaul University with a Bachelor’s in Jazz Studies.

5:30 – 6:30 pm – The Marquis Hill Blacktet

Saturday night’s headliner is Marquis Hill. At age 24 Marquis is already a well-known trumpet player on the Chicago Jazz scene. He has performed with the likes of Bobby Broom, Willie Pickens, Ron Perillo, Victor Garcia, Ernest Dawkins and Brian Lynch. He has toured throughout the U.S. and abroad with several artists and groups including, The Ron Carter Big Band, The Bebop Brass, and New Horizons.  Marquis is currently earning his master’s degree in Jazz Pedagogy at DePaul University.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

11:30 am – 12:30 pm – Whitney Young Jazz Combo #1

The Whitney Young High School Jazz combo performs under the direction of Mr. Anthony Lanzino.

1:00 – 2:00 pm   Ethan Kogan and the Jazz Alliance

By age 18, Ethan Kogan, a Chicago native, had already performed with jazz luminaries Joe Lovano, Cassandra Wilson, Phil Woods, and Sean Jones. Since then he has played regularly in both New York and Chicago at such venues as Fat Cat, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Fitzgerald’s, and the Jazz Showcase. His trio includes two of the most exciting figures from Chicago’s new generation of jazz musicians, Charlie Kirchen and Marquis Hill.

2:30 – 3:30 pm Segal Beckstrom Quintet

New Jazz Roots Stage programming director and bassist Lane Beckstrom joins forces with trumpeter Nico Segal in the Segal Beckstrom Quintet.  The band also features Rob Fletcher on drums, and Chris Misa on piano.  SBQ plays a combination of jazz standards and original compositions.

4:00 – 5:00 pm   Paul Bedal Quintet

Paul Bedal, a native of the Chicago area, has been playing piano since the age of 6. As a high school senior, Paul won Illinois’ All-State jazz pianist and was awarded the Bertha Frost Scholarship at the University of Miami.  At Miami he studied under Doug Bickel and Shelly Berg and played in Miami’s prestigious CJB Jazz Band and Miami Sextet. Paul now performs regularly around the Chicago area and recently toured and recorded in Italy with jazz group El Portal.

5:30 – 6:30 pm – Macie Stewart and Members of Kids These Days

Classically trained composer, pianist, violinist and singer, Macie Stewart just graduated from Whitney Young High School. Macie has played at the Chicago Youth in Music Festival guest conducted by Ricardo Muti, the Palm Court at the Drake Hotel with her string quartet, and is currently touring North America with the increasingly high profile hip hop, soul, jazz band Kids These Days.  Along with members of Kids These Days, Macie brings her jazz-influenced style to this solo outing.