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The Labor Day Weekend Tradition, Produced by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events and Programmed by the Jazz Institute of Chicago, Celebrates All Forms of Jazz at the Chicago Cultural Center and in Millennium Park as part of the 20th Anniversary Season

CHICAGO—Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) announced today the full music lineup for the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival, taking place Thursday, Aug. 29 through Sunday, Sept. 1.

The Chicago Jazz Festival, a Labor Day weekend tradition, returns to Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural Center to celebrate all forms of jazz through free, high-quality music programming. Over the course of four days, the festival showcases Chicago’s local talent alongside national and international artists to raise awareness and appreciation for one of the city’s most beloved artforms.

Produced by DCASE and programmed by the Jazz Institute of Chicago (JIC), the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival will feature headliners including Amina Claudine Myers, Catherine Russell, Kenny Garrett and the Sounds from the Ancestors and Spanish Harlem Orchestra.

“Chicago's impact on jazz music is recognized globally, and our city's powerful and significant contributions are showcased annually at the Chicago Jazz Festival. This year is no exception with the lineup of all-star headliners and Chicago’s own Tomeka Reid, Miguel de la Cerna, Bethany Pickens and more taking the stage,” said DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth. “Making world-class programming, like the iconic Chicago Jazz Festival, free and accessible furthers the City of Chicago’s commitment to honor and celebrate the City’s music legacy for generations to come.”

For 2024, the Jazz Institute of Chicago celebrates 55 years of promoting and nurturing Chicago’s world class jazz community. Founded in 1969, this not-for-profit organization works to provide education, develop and support musicians, build audiences and foster a thriving jazz scene in Chicago. As the programming partner for the Chicago Jazz Festival since 1979, Jazz Institute of Chicago collaborates with DCASE to help ensure audiences experience the highest quality international, national, local, and young future jazz artists.

“The JIC and the Jazz Festival Committee are excited about the lineup as always and pleased to highlight Chicago voices in this year's festival. We are proud of having started the festival in the late 1970s and our more than 40 year partnership with DCASE,” shared Heather Ireland Robinson, Executive Director of The Jazz Institute of Chicago (JIC). “To me, one of the most thrilling stages and ‘hidden gem’ of the festival is the Harris Theater Rooftop Stage. Saturday will feature five remarkable high school bands showcasing tomorrow's stars today —and the energy from the packed houses cheering on our uber-talented youth is unmatched.”

As in past years, DCASE continues to offer support and funding to Jazz presenting venues and organizations via the Citywide Jazz Community Funding program, which supports free jazz performances citywide the week leading up to the Jazz Festival. Participating 2024 venues will be shared in the coming weeks.

The full lineup for the 2024 Chicago Jazz Festival is as follows:

Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024
Chicago Cultural Center
Claudia Cassidy Theater

• 1-2pm - The Young Masters presented by Live the Spirit
• 2:30-3:30pm - Jeff Chan Ensemble presented by Asian Improv
• 4-5pm - The DJAZ Quartet presented by The Elastic Arts Foundation
• 5:30-6:30pm - What is this thing called Jazz? Presented by the Education Committee of the Jazz Institute of Chicago.

Preston Bradley Hall

• 12:30-1:30pm - IRIS w/ Special Guest Russ Johnson presented by The Fulton Street Collective
• 2-3pm - The New Deal Gypsy Jazz Band presented by llliana Club of Traditional Jazz
• 3:30-4:30pm - The Miguel de la Cerna Quartet presented by The Hyde Park Jazz Society
• 4:45-5:45pm - The Southside All Stars featuring Di'Kobie Berry and Darius Hampton presented by The South Side Jazz Coalition
• 6-6:45pm - Jason Adasiewicz
• 7-8pm - Amina Claudine Myers

Friday, Aug. 30, 2024
Millennium Park
Von Freeman Stage - North Promenade

• 11:30am-12:25pm - Maddie Vogler
• 12:40-1:35pm - Bethany Pickens Trio
• 1:50-2:45pm - Big Shoulders Brass Band
• 3-4pm - Lakecia Benjamin

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

• 4:15-5:05pm - Tomeka Reid
• 5:25-6:10pm - Billy Harper Quintet
• 6:25-7:25pm - Charlie Sepúlveda
• 7:45-9pm - Catherine Russell

Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024
Millennium Park
Harris Theater Rooftop - Young Lions Jazz

• 11am - Whitney Young Jazz Combo
• 11:50am - Midwest Young Artists Conservatory Combo
• 12:40pm - ChiArts Combo A
• 1:35pm - Lincoln Park High School Jazz Band
• 2:25pm - Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage
• 3:15pm - Kenwood Academy High School Jazz Band

Von Freeman Stage - North Promenade

• 11:30am-12:25pm - Windy City Ramblers
• 12:40-1:35pm - Leslie Beukelman & Jeremy Kahn's "Tonight: At Noon"
• 1:50-2:45pm - Mike Ross Quartet
• 3-4pm - James Brandon Lewis

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

• 4:15-5:05pm - Dennis Carroll
• 5:25-6:10pm - Jeff Parker/New Breed
• 6:25-7:25pm - René Marie & Experiment In Truth
• 7:45-9pm - Kenny Garrett and Sounds From The Ancestors

Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024
Millennium Park
Harris Theater Rooftop - Young Lions Jazz

• 11-11:45am - Alfie Jackson Quartet
• 12-12:45pm - Brandon Harper & Friends
• 1-1:45pm - The Isabella Isherwood Quintet
• 2-2:45pm - Alejandro Salazar and the Afro Cuban Exchange
• 3-3:50pm - JCANDTHEREUPBAND

Von Freeman Stage - North Promenade

• 11:30am-12:25pm - Mai Sugimoto
• 12:40-1:35pm - Sharel Cassity Alliance
• 1:50-2:45pm - Charlie Johnson Quartet
• 3-4pm - Jason Palmer Quartet

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

• 4:15-5:05pm - Clif Wallace Big Band
• 5:25-6:10pm - Eddie Henderson
• 6:25-7:25pm - Orrin Evans
• 7:45-9pm - Spanish Harlem Orchestra

The WDCB Jazz Lounge returns featuring daily performances by local artists from 12-8pm in the South Promenade Tent; performers to be announced.

As in previous years, outside alcohol is not allowed for the Chicago Jazz Festival, but alcohol may be purchased inside the venue. Before visiting, please be advised of other Prohibited Items at MillenniumPark.org.

For Millennium Park safety and security information, visit the Plan Your Visit page on MillenniumPark.org.

DCASE programming is generously supported by the following sponsors: Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, 90.9fm WDCB, Chicago Transit Authority, Millennium Garages, Chicago Jazz Magazine and DownBeat Magazine.

For more information, please visit ChicagoJazzFestival.us and Chicago.gov/DCASE.

Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. As a collaborative cultural presenter, arts funder, and advocate for creative workers, our programs and events serve Chicagoans and visitors of all ages and backgrounds, downtown and in diverse communities across our city — to strengthen and celebrate Chicago. DCASE produces some of the city’s most iconic festivals, markets, events, and exhibitions at the Chicago Cultural Center, Millennium Park, and in communities across the city — serving a local and global audience of 25 million people. The Department offers cultural grants and resources, manages public art, supports TV and film production and other creative industries, and permits special events throughout Chicago. For details, visit Chicago.gov/DCASE and stay connected via our newsletters and social media.

Millennium Park
Celebrating its milestone 20th anniversary season, Millennium Park delivers a world-class collection of architecture, landscape design and art that provides the backdrop for hundreds of free cultural programs including concerts, exhibitions, interactive art and family activities. In Millennium Park, you’ll find a spectacular gathering spot located in the heart of the city, a destination for all Chicagoans and visitors alike. In addition to the more than 80 free events to be presented throughout the summer, a special four-day 20th Anniversary Celebration presented by Capital One will take place July 18-21 across the Park featuring award-winning headliners, activities for families and youth, workouts, new public art, dance performances, concerts, and fireworks — presented by Capital One and DCASE in partnership with the Grant Park Music Festival and additional support from the Millennium Park Foundation, and others.

Millennium Park is the #1 attraction in the Midwest and among the top 10 most-visited sites in the U.S. It is also the anchor of an urban cultural campus (Millennium Park Campus) that includes the Chicago Cultural Center, Maggie Daley Park and The Art Institute of Chicago. Millennium Park is located on Michigan Avenue, bordered by Randolph St. to the north, Columbus Dr. to the east and Monroe St. to the south. The Park is open daily from 6am to 11pm. Plan your visit at MillenniumPark.org; follow us on Facebook (@MillenniumParkChicago), Twitter and Instagram (@Millennium_Park); and join the conversation on social media using #MillenniumPark.

About Chicago Cultural Center
Drawn by its beauty and the fabulous free public events, hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the Chicago Cultural Center every year, making it one of the most visited attractions in Chicago. The stunning landmark building is home to two magnificent stained-glass domes, as well as free music, dance and theater events, films, lectures, art exhibitions, and family events. In 1991, the building was established as the Chicago Cultural Center by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, the nation's first and most comprehensive free municipal cultural venue. Every year, the Chicago Cultural Center presents hundreds of free international, national, regional, and local artists, musicians, and performers, providing a showcase where the public can enjoy and learn about the arts.

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