Chicago Jazz Festival 2018: Check Out Ramsey Lewis' Last Jam

CHICAGO, IL — More days and venues have been added to the 40th annual Chicago Jazz Festival, which is scheduled to run through late August and early September. The free 10-day event also will play host to the final live hometown performance for jazz legend Ramsey Lewis before he retires, the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events announced Wednesday.

This year's festival will run Aug. 24 to Sept. 2 at Millennium Park and the Chicago Cultural, as well as other city venues. Free performances at neighborhood clubs will kick off the first six days of the events before the musical acts take the stage at the park and cultural center, the city department said. The festival's expanded schedule will be released in June. Lewis, a Chicago native known the 1960s hits "The In Crowd" and "Hang On Sloopy," will perform in Sept. 1 at Millennium Park's Jay Pritzker Pavilion.

“Ramsey Lewis has been a staple in the jazz community for more than 60 years and I look forward to welcoming him back home for his final performance in the city," Mayor Rahm Emanuel said in a statement.

Other festival changes include the creation of a security perimeter for bag checks at all concerts at Millennium Park. Outside alcohol also will be prohibited in the park during the event, but festival-goers will still be allowed to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages.

Here's a look at the schedule.

40th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival: The Basics

When: Aug. 29 to Sept. 2

Where: Millennium Park, 201 E. Randolph St., and Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington St.

Cost: Free

More Info: Go to the festival's website for more details.

Aug. 29

Millennium Park

Jay Pritzker Pavillion

6:30-9 p.m.: Orbert Davis Chicago Jazz Philharmonic: Legends and Lions

Aug. 30

Chicago Cultural Center

Claudia Cassidy Theater

11 a.m.-noon: Paul Giallorenzo (trio)

12:15-1:15 p.m.: Great Black Music Ensemble (octet)

1:45-2:45 p.m.: Young Chicago Authors (spoken word event)

3:15–4:15 p.m.: Miyumi Project (sextet)

Preston Bradley Hall

12:30-1:30 p.m.: Carmen Stokes (quartet)

2-3 p.m.: Stu Mindeman (trio)

3:30-4:30 p.m.: Chicago Cellar Boys (quintet)

Millennium Park

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

5 p.m.: Second-line Procession presented by Mystic Crew of Laff Theater Co. featuring the Big Shoulders Brass Band (starts at Cloud Gate)

5:25-6:15 p.m.: Geof Bradfield

6:30-7:25 p.m.: Nicole Mitchell’s Mandorla Awakening

7:45-9 p.m.: Kurt Elling

Aug. 31

Millennium Park

Von Freeman Pavilion (South Promenade)

11:30 a.m.-12:25 p.m.: Junius Paul

12:40-1:35 p.m.: Quin Kirchner

1:50-2:45 p.m.: Chris Speed Trio

3-4 p.m.: Greg Ward and 10 Tongues

Jazz and Heritage Pavilion (North Promenade)

Noon-1 p.m.: Gayle Kolb

1:30-2:30 p.m.: Roy McGrath

3-4 p.m.: Steve Million

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

3:45 p.m.: Second-line Procession Presented by Mystic Crew of Laff Theater Co. featuring the Big Shoulders Brass Band (starts at Cloud Gate)

4:15-5:05 p.m.: Tribute to Dr. Richard Muhal Abrams

5:25-6:15 p.m.: Sabertooth 25th Anniversary

6:30-7:25 p.m.: Louis Hayes: “Seranade for Horace

7:45-9 p.m.: Dianne Reeves

Sept. 1

Millennium Park

Von Freeman Pavilion (South Promenade)

11:30 a.m.-12:25 p.m.: Black Diamond

12:40-1:35 p.m.: Dustin Laurenzi

1:50-2:45 p.m.: Matthew Shipp and Ivo Perelman

3-4 p.m.: Amina Claudine Myers Trio

Jazz and Heritage Pavilion (North Promenade)

Noon-1 p.m.: Bruce Henry

1:30-2:30 p.m.: The Chuck Webb Band featuring Margaret Murphy

3-4 p.m.: Nolatet

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

3:45 p.m.: Second-line Procession Presented by Mystic Crew of Laff Theater Co. featuring the Big Shoulders Brass Band (starts at Cloud Gate)

4:15-5:05 p.m.: Tribute to Willie Pickens

5:25-6:10 p.m.: Kenny Barron Quintet

6:25-7:25 p.m.: Darcy James Argue

7:45-9 p.m.: Ramsey Lewis

Sept. 2

Millennium Park

Von Freeman Pavilion (South Promenade)

11:30 a.m.-12:25 p.m.: Tribute to John Wright

12:40-1:35 p.m.: Jaimie Branch's Fly or Die

1:50-2:45 p.m.: Jason Stein Quartet

3-4 p.m.: Eric Revis Quartet

Jazz and Heritage Pavilion (North Promenade)

Noon-1 p.m.: Quentin Coaxum

1:30-2:30 p.m.: Alejandro Urzagaste

3-4 p.m.: Fareed Haque

Jay Pritzker Pavilion

3:45 p.m.: Second-line Procession Presented by Mystic Crew of Laff Theater Co. featuring the Big Shoulders Brass Band (starts at Cloud Gate)

4:15-5:05 p.m.: Matt Ulery’s Loom Large

5:25-6:10 p.m.: Arturo O'Farrill Sextet

6:25-7:25 p.m.: Charles McPherson and Barry Harris Quartet

7:45-9 p.m.: Maceo Parker

Jazz Festival Forecast

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71 and a low around 63.

Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1 p.m., as well as 40 percent chance of showers, mainly after 1 a.m. A high near 80 and a low around 72.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms during the day and a 40 percent chance before 1 a.m. A high near 83 and a low around 71.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m. and after 1 a.m. A high near 85 and a low around 72.

Parking

Millennium Garages offers spots near the festival at the following locations:

• Millennium Park Garage and Millennium Lakeside Garage, 5 S. Columbus Drive
• Grant Park North Garage, 25 N. Michigan Ave.
• Grant Park South Garage, 325 S. Michigan Ave.

Special $35 parking rates are available at Millennium Park Garage and Millennium Lakeside Garage. Regular rates apply at Grant Park North & Grant Park South Garages.

Call 312-616-0600 or go to the website for the garages for information.

Chicago Jazz Festival (Photo via Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events | City of Chicago)