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 | Chicago Jazz clubs Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 16 |  |
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Today, I received an e-mail on VT from Marilyn Harris thanking me for my review! On Sunday evening, June 11, 06, Allan & I accompanied Eric's Mother, Step-father, Uncle, & Aunt to the Old Bohemian neighborhood on Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago. 7:00 pm at Davenport's Cabaret we heard jazz singer, Marilyn Harris, perform. She was on a tour to promote her new CD, Round Trip. What a great way to spend a Sunday evening. Astoundingly, Marilyn Harris i not only sings wonderfully,(with her crystal-clear voice), but she also writes clever, sophisticated, & passionate songs. On her new CD, she wrote 10 of 12 songs! She also plays a "wicked" piano. Who could ask for more? Interestingly, Eric's aunt & uncle, Jan and Tom, knew her from her days in Chicago when she played at their mother/father's 50th Wedding Anniversary. (Small World) At Davenport's Cabaret, there is no smoking at all, which is greatly appreciated by performers & audiences. There is a 2-drink minimum in addition to the admission fee. For Marilyn Harris's performance, the price was $15.00 per ticket. It's a intimate room with small tables & some booth/tables. Allan & I enjoyed sitting in the booth/table for the sheer back comfort. The acoustics were wonderful, & Marilyn's powerful voice was a joy to behold. On tour, Marilyn is accompanied by one man (Larry Gray), but on her CD, she is with the entire L.A. Jazz All-Stars Big Band. I can attest to the fact that the band is terrific; I purchased one of her new CD's. My favorite song of the evening's performance was "That Afternoon in Harlem", a haunting, lovely melody with words portraying a faded female jazz singer. My second favorite song was "They're Gonna Love Me", a clever satire about the music industry's appreciation of artists after they die. Her sharp commentary indicates that artists need acclaim within their own lifetimes. Even when she sings someone else's songs, Marilyn's interpretations are her own.
It's interesting to note that the front room of Davenport's with the bar is not smoke free, & it also has live entertainment. I don't think there's a dress code. We wore summer slacks and tops, sandles, and jackets. The men wore nice slacks & shirts. I don't think that cut-off jeans, t-shirts & baseball hats would be appropriate. Leave a Comment Theme: Live MusicAddress: 138e N. Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622Phone: 773-278-1830
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| | | | Jazz clubs: Jazz in Chicago | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Take the Red Line train to Lawrence, walk west to Broadway, and look for the glowing green lights.....there you'll find the Green Mill. Former mob hang-out, and now home to many of Chicago's top jazz artists and fans. The club is a beautiful landmark of Chicago's golden-age of jazz, but you won't find any dinosaurs hanging out in here. Hep cats, of all ages, (or at least 21), have been swinging at this joint since it opened in the early 1900s. I believe it is the oldest running jazz club in the US....and probably the world. Cover is still low, usually between $5 - 10. Mostly local favorites play here, but in recent years the stage has welcome some other national jazz artists. It is still very much a hang out for locals, and it is very crowded on the weekends. It is worth the trip, away from the tourist places downtown, if you want to experience a truly historic jazz club in Chicago.
All kinds are welcome, but clean up.....will ya!?!?! People come here in both jeans and suits, so you shouldn't have a problem, unless you have no shirt or shoes. Leave a Comment Theme: Live MusicAddress: Lawrence & BroadwayDirections: Uptown neigborhood. From downtown take the Red Line train north and get off at Lawrence. Walk one block west to Broadway.
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| | | | Jazz clubs: Jazz landmark | Tip Rating:  | | | | |
A good time can always be had at the Green Mill (est. 1910). Even Al Capone used to hang out here. Great atmosphere, I love the booths and decor, and the fact you sort of need to walk on the stage to get to the ladies room. It can get pretty smoky in here- just like any other bar or club. But occasionally, a performer may request that there be no smoking the night they play. Snaggin a table might be difficult, but on a weekday it'll be easier. This place gets paacked. On a side note, I've heard that people get scolded for speaking too loudly, but it most likely depends on who's playing. If you want to get a group of friends together for a loud'n'lively drink and chat, try Swing Night on Thursdays instead of, say, a Patricia Barber gig or something. Take care to double-check how much the cover will be and what's goin on that night!
Dress up, dress down (not all the way down, of course) Leave a Comment Theme: Live MusicAddress: 4802 N. BroadwayPhone: 1(773) 878-5552Directions: In Uptown. It's just north of Lawrence, on Broadway. It's on the west side of the street. You'll see the sign...
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on July 6, 2006
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