Glen Ellyn brings jazz to Main Street
Downtown Glen Ellyn will be humming with the sounds of cool jazz on Saturday, July 15, with musicians from near and far playing at Jazz Up Glen Ellyn.
Glen Ellyn native son and guitarist Fareed Haque is returning to the festival for a second year to perform and to sit in on jam sessions. He will be joined by friend and saxophonist Javon Jackson.
"Javon is a legendary jazz musician who's played with the greatest jazz artists," Haque said.
Jackson rose to international prominence in the late 1980s when he played with Art Blakely and the Jazz Messengers. He later made 19 recordings as a band leader and has played on more than 135 recordings with many jazz greats. He also is director of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz at the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut.
Haque played for the Glenbard West High School Jazz Ensemble in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He went on to play with Sting and with many prominent jazz artists, and is now a music professor at Northern Illinois University who plays with his own band. He will play with Fareed and His Funk Bros. from 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.
Jackson will play with The Mardra and Reggie Thomas Ensemble from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., performing the music of jazz singer Billie Holiday. As artist-at-large, Jackson may be sitting in on a number of performances.
"I'll be kind of popping in on a few different ensembles," he said.
As artistic director, Haque also may be appearing with many bands. The performances will not be scripted.
"It's going to be pretty spontaneous and unpredictable," he said. "That's part of the fun."
Other musicians also can participate on Saturday. Haque encourages them to bring their instruments to an improvisational session from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church at Forest Avenue and Duane streets.
Another session beginning at 10:30 a.m. will be limited to 10 people. A third jam session will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Marinella's on Duane Street.
But festivalgoers don't have to be jazz aficionados or musicians to have a good time. A varied lineup of musicians will entertain beginning at 11 a.m. with the Glen Ellyn Jazz Ensemble playing in the parking lot of Young's Appliance on Crescent Boulevard.
The Mya Big Band will be on one of two Main Street stages beginning at 2 p.m. Other stage performances include the Casey Nielsen Group, the Lenard Simpson Group, Matt Ulery's Loom, the Barb City Stompers and the Robert Irving III Trio. Robert Irving III played piano for Miles Davis. The bands were selected for their high energy, according to Haque.
"All of the bands are really fun, spirited bands," he said.
Outside stage performances will continue to 9:30 p.m. Then artists will move inside to venues throughout downtown.
Those attending can bring coolers or buy drinks and food from downtown establishments. Carol White is executive director of the Alliance of Downtown Glen Ellyn, which is sponsoring the event for the second year.
White wants festivalgoers to have fun and to notice the mom-and-pop shops and restaurants while attending the event.
"We want to show off our town," she said.
If you go
What: Jazz Up Glen Ellyn
When: Performances begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 15; master classes begin at 9 a.m.
Where: Downtown Glen Ellyn; two stages on Main Street at Pennsylvania Avenue, with outdoor performances in open spaces into the evening and at indoor venues after 9:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Info: jazzupglenellyn.org