Review: At Jazz Fest, standout sets and overheard bass

Audience members react to the music of Robert Glasper at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion during the Chicago Jazz Festival on Sept. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Saxophone player Isaiah Collier performs as part of Emma Dayhuff Innovations & Lineage: The Chicago Project, at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion during the Chicago Jazz Festival on Sept. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Drummer Jonathan Pinson performs as part of Emma Dayhuff Innovations & Lineage: The Chicago Project, at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion during the Chicago Jazz Festival on Sept. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Lonnie Myles, of Chicago’s Auburn Gresham, neighborhood applauds as Robert Glasper takes the stage at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion during the Chicago Jazz Festival on Sept. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

A person walks up a flight of stairs as Robert Glasper performs at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion during the Chicago Jazz Festival on Sept. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Robert Glasper performs at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion during the Chicago Jazz Festival on Sept. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Jazz-inspired artwork is seen on display as people take in a performance by Emma Dayhuff Innovations & Lineage: The Chicago Project at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion during the Chicago Jazz Festival on Sept. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

People take in a performance by Emma Dayhuff Innovations & Lineage: The Chicago Project at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion during the Chicago Jazz Festival on Sept. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

A fan applauds for Emma Dayhuff Innovations & Lineage: The Chicago Project, during a performance at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion during the Chicago Jazz Festival on Sept. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Bass player Emma Dayhuff performs as part of Emma Dayhuff Innovations & Lineage: The Chicago Project, at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion during the Chicago Jazz Festival on Sept. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Trumpet player Corey Wilkes performs as part of Emma Dayhuff Innovations & Lineage: The Chicago Project, at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion during the Chicago Jazz Festival on Sept. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

Shameka Turner dances to the music of Robert Glasper at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion during the Chicago Jazz Festival on Sept. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

The Chicago skyline glows during the Chicago Jazz Festival at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion on Sept. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)

The audience listens to Robert Glasper perform at Millennium Park’s Pritzker Pavilion during the Chicago Jazz Festival on Sept. 4, 2026. (Chris Sweda/baiduhai)