Chicago Jazz Festival -- Saturday

The Chicago Jazz Festival is a Labor Day weekend tradition that promotes all forms of jazz through free, high-quality music programming. 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 art forms.

PROGRAM

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

3:15pm - 3:45pm - Windy City Ramblers

3:45pm - 4:00pm - Emcee Intro Remarks + National Anthem + Lift Every Voice

4:00pm - 4:45pm - Ava Logan Quintet

5:05pm - 6:05pm - Ernest Dawkins Ensemble New Horizons Redux

6:25pm - 7:25pm - Gary Bartz & NTU Troop

7:45pm - 9:00pm - Kermit Ruffins

WDCB Jazz Lounge (South Promenade)

12:00pm - 1:45pm - Maddie Vogler Sextet

2:15pm - 4:00pm - Ben Paterson Organ Trio

4:30pm - 6:15pm - Jeremy Kahn Trio with special guest Isabella Isherwood

6:45pm - 7:45pm - Quentin Coaxum's "Satellite”

Von Freeman Pavilion (North Promenade)

11:30am - 12:25pm - Josie Falbo Quintet

12:40pm - 1:35pm - Twin Talk

1:50pm - 2:45pm - Reggie Thomas and Trio Nexus

3:00pm - 4:00pm - Victor Garcia Septet

Harris Theater Rooftop Terrace - Next Generation of Jazz

11:00am - 12:00pm - The Chicago Academy for the Arts Jazz Combo

12:00pm - 12:45pm - MYAC Jazz Combo

1:00pm - 1:45pm - JCP Big Band

2:00pm - 2:45pm - Whitney Young Jazz Ensemble

3:00pm - 4:00pm - Kenwood Academy High School Jazz Band

Celebrate Labor Day weekend with the Chicago Jazz Festival, a free event that honors the city’s rich jazz legacy through diverse, high-quality performances. This long-running tradition brings together Chicago’s finest local musicians with acclaimed national and international artists, creating a vibrant showcase of styles that span generations and genres.

In the Jay Pritzker Pavilion, the afternoon begins with welcoming remarks and moving renditions of the National Anthem and Lift Every Voice and Sing, setting the stage for an exciting lineup of performances.

The program features the smooth, expressive vocals of the Ava Logan Quintet, followed by the Ernest Dawkins Ensemble, whose New Horizons Redux project blends powerful compositions with deep roots in Chicago’s avant-garde jazz tradition.

Saxophone legend Gary Bartz and NTU Troop bring a dynamic mix of jazz, soul, and social consciousness, leading into a joyful, high-energy set by Kermit Ruffins, known for his charismatic New Orleans style and love of classic swing.

Come celebrate the sound of Chicago—where jazz is always alive

Organizer: Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

Programmer: Jazz Institute of Chicago