ALL JAZZED UP

How do you like your jazz? Cool, hot, or big band? Take your pick here in Chicago.

Jazz has been a part of Chicago's culture as long as there's been jazz. Fueled by passion and a large migration of African Americans from the south, Chicago became the home of a unique and influential form of jazz. It included a blending of lowbrow and highbrow that grew out of big dance halls, with elegantly tuxedoed performers like King Oliver and Louis Armstrong. Back then, Chicago audiences demanded "pep" and "ginger." Some still do.

Start with Andy's Jazz Club. A rotating list of excellent local players split up the week with several shows every night. You'll never get stuck in one groove with groups like the Windy City All Stars. The room is friendly, with close, clear sightlines throughout.

Make a reservation at The Back Room and be guaranteed a comfortable seat to hear soulful jazz, R&B, funk and more every night of the week.

Or head for Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase. When talented players come to town, this is typically their first stop. The club is friendly and homey, with big stuffed chairs along the side. Joe will be there to thank you, too.

However, no tuneful tour of our town is complete without a pilgrimage to the Green Mill, whose past reaches back to the Roaring Twenties, when jazz hid behind closed doors. Anyone who's ever played a syncopated note has played there. You might even hear superb local talent like Victor Goines (Director of Jazz Studies at Northwestern University) or Father John Moulder (a guitar-playing parish priest) hop up on stage for a little jam.

And if you're lucky enough to be in town for the Chicago Jazz Festival, the city will bring all this great talent together and more. This year, Chicago plans to hold parts of the festival all across town.

Don't miss the new Jazz Age going on right now here in Chicago!