I grew up on Chicago jazz, though not in the traditional sense. In the ’90s, before I knew anything about Chicago, I was blissing out to post-rockers Tortoise and pretty much every band on the brilliant indie label, Thrill Jockey. The band’s blend of krautrock, dub, electronica, and yes, jazz came to define Chicago in my mind. I’ve always associated music with places, because before I traveled, I listened. Back when I was a music journalist, I saw Tortoise live at Good Records in Dallas and was mesmerized by John McEntire’s metronomic drumming.
Fast forward to 2014 and I am in Chicago for the first time. Pomplamoose, my favorite unsigned band, played an intimate and raucous show at Lincoln Hall. Lovely.
It wasn’t until this year I finally experienced Chicago jazz in the form of Omar Sosa’s Quarteto Afro Cubano. The band played a hypnotic and lively show at the classically charming venue, Jazz Showcase.
If you’re in Chicago, there are two things you have to experience: deep dish pizza and jazz!
Comments 3
June 16, 2015 at 7:12 am
I realllllly want to visit Chicago!! I hadn’t even thought about the great music scene that must be there. Well there goes one more reason to go!
xx, Pia
http://gymbagsandjetlags.com
June 22, 2015 at 12:45 pm
I hope you do visit Chicago. Cool town.
July 4, 2015 at 7:37 pm
Soo cool! At home (the Netherlands) you won’t find any jazz any time soon, so I would love to visit Chicago or all the other music-cities in the USA as New Orleans or Nashville!
thetouristoflife.com