Howard Reich

Forty years ago, a young Chicago blues musician named Billy Branch received an offer he couldn't refuse. George Gruntz, then artistic director of Jazzfest Berlin, "wanted to present a show...

The students hardly could believe it was happening. But, as promised, one of the most admired pianists in jazz – MacArthur Fellow Jason Moran — was about to cut a...

Pianist-composer Jason Moran has established a deep and long-standing connection with Chicago audiences, thanks to years of performances at Symphony Center, the Chicago Jazz Festival and an array of other...

It's difficult to fathom how saxophonist Chris Potter could play a second set after the first one he offered Thursday night at the Jazz Showcase. The sheer amount of energy,...

Thirty years ago, Chicago blues harmonica whiz Corky Siegel made a bit of music history launching his Chamber Blues. By merging his blues vocals and harmonica riffs with string quartet...

For nearly 80 years, a family of Viennese Holocaust survivors searched for a painting looted from them by the Nazis. Last month — for the first time since 1938 —...

"Have you ever ridden a camel?" The question doesn't arise often in jazz performances, but it was pertinent Thursday night at the Jazz Showcase, where tenor saxophonist Chico Freeman posed...

With time off for the holiday weekend, listeners can delve into the city's hyperactive jazz scene. Among the highlights: Chico Freeman: His father was Chicago tenor saxophone legend Von Freeman...

Practically everyone who wields significant influence in Chicago jazz was there. Club owners, artistic directors, talent buyers, radio programmers, arts executives, professors, performers, promoters, managers and, yes, even a few...