Winter Jazz Festival returns to Glen Ellyn

Suburbs, meet Chicago jazz musicians. Chicago jazz musicians, suburbs.

Now that everyone’s been formally introduced, it’s time to launch a week of jazz for all at College of DuPage and throughout Glen Ellyn.

The second annual Winter Jazz Fest — a partnership between COD’s McAninch Arts Center and the college’s radio station, WDCB 90.9-FM, — begins Sunday, Feb. 13, and runs through Saturday, Feb. 19, with traditional performances, unique concert settings, independent jazz films, jazz art, jazz for the whole family and more.

“They are going to be experiencing Chicago jazz artists as well as artists from our community,” said Janey Sarther, education and community engagement coordinator. “From some who are just learning the trade to … Ramsay Lewis, who has the ultimate title of NEA jazz master.”

The fest began last year with a few performances at the MAC as a winter version of Glen Ellyn’s annual summer jazz festival.

Interest and potential quickly grew the event into a tribute to jazz and an informal meeting between suburban jazz enthusiasts and the musicians they might not always travel to visit in the city, Sarther said.

“Our hope is that we’ll be able to provide our community with deeper contacts with Chicago artists,” Sarther said. “And we also want to provide these chances to engage in jazz beyond the traditional setting.”

All events are open to the public.

The fest begins at 3 p.m. Sunday with a free performance of “Jazz Vespers” by the Tammy McCann Quartet at St. Barnabas Church in Glen Ellyn.

The college’s jazz residency students perform at an open mic night at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, in the MAC’S Theatre 2. The program is hosted by saxophonist Mark Colby, who brings his extensive touring and performing experiences to lectures at DePaul University and Elmhurst College as a faculty member at both schools.

Participants can help visual artist Juan Angel Chaves create a jazz mural from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday in the MAC Lobby.

Visitors also can experience jazz through independent films with free screenings of “Round Midnight” at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, and “Kansas City” at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Thursday on the MAC main stage.

On Wednesday, participants can catch the Jazz Café on Tour. Three downtown Glen Ellyn restaurants, within walking distance of each other, will host free performances from 7 to 10 p.m. Performances include the Marshall Vente Piano Trio at Thipi Thai, 530 Crescent Blvd.; Peter Lerner at Cabs, 430 N. Main St.; and Mike Allemana Organ Trio at Shannon’s, 428 N. Main St.

Winding down the weeklong celebration are three performances on the MAC main stage.

Henry Johnson and The Organ Express will perform with Two For Brazil, Paulinho Garcia and Greg Fishman, at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18. Tickets are $30 for adults, $28 for seniors and $20 for youth.

Young jazz fans can get in on the fun with Kidjazz! with the Arts Center Jazz Ensemble at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19. The interactive event features singalongs and dancing. Tickets are $12.

“One fun aspect of Kidjazz! is that everyone learns how to play kid jazz on their own kazoo,” Sarther said.

Ramsey Lewis Trio closes out Winter Jazz Fest with a performance at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 19. The Chicago-based pianist and composer is known for his recordings “The In Crowd,” “Hang On Sloopy” and “Wade in the Water.” He also has three Grammy Awards and seven Gold Records.

Tickets to see Ramsay Lewis are $50 for adults, $48 for seniors and $40 for youths. First- and second-row tickets are $75 for adults, $73 for seniors and $65 for youths.

For information about the festival, call the MAC ticket office at (630) 942-4000 or visit atthemac.org.