Playin’ with jazz vocalist Tammy McCann and a great quartet this week. Come on out. All shows 8pm and 10pm, with Tammy and the CJO doing a matinee on Sunday, October 11 at 4pm. Howard Reich wrote a nice review for the Chicago Tribune.
Tammy McCann–voice
Mike Allemana–guitar
Jeremy Kahn–piano
Marlene Rosenberg–bass
Cliff Wallace–drums
This Saturday, September 26th, I am so honored to be performing at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival with my long time musical partner, bassist Matt Ferguson. He and I will be performing duo sets at the Robie House, 5757 S Woodlawn Ave, at 5pm, 6pm, and 7pm, all short 30 minute sets. More info:
https://www.hydeparkjazzfestival.org/mike-allemana
After a great set at the jazz fest, I’ll be performing with saxophonist Chico Freeman, son of my late boss Von Freeman, and my partner-in-crime, guitarist George Freeman at the Jazz Showcase, September 17-20, sets 8pm and 10pm. Don’t miss Chico’s welcome home week. It’s a great band:
Chico Freeman–sax
George Freeman–guitar
Mike Allemana–guitar
Reto Weber–percussion, hang
Kirk Weber–piano
Harrison Bankhead–bass
Ernie Adams–drums
George and I will be back at it again this year to celebrate his birthday with drumming legend Bernard Purdie. Don’t miss it.
Bernard is on the cover of Modern Drummer this month!!
George Freeman Quartet with Bernard Purdie live at the Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway
photo by Michael jackson
George Freeman–guitar
Bernard Purdie–drums
Mike Allemana–guitar
Pete Benson–organ
Come on out Wednesday, March 18th, to experience the Regulators’ take on the classic jazz record Schizophrenia by Wayne Shorter at the Fulton Street Art Collective, 2000 W. Fulton. 8pm doors open, 9pm show. $10 suggested donation.
A new steady begins next week with one of Chicago’s great jazz singers, Tammy McCann, at Drew’s Drawing Room (formerly Jack’s on Halsted) at 3201 N. Halsted from 8pm-11:00pm. I am really excited to be working with Tammy. She hung out a lot with Von Freeman and was close with one of my mentors, pianist/organist Jon Logan, who was Von’s pianist at the New Apartment Lounge for many years. (Check out her new CD with pianist Laurence Hobgood.) We’ll be swinging on Thursdays in January and February, so come on out!!
One of the coolest things about Gabriela’s school, Hawthorne Scholastic Academy, is how the parents really care about the school and their kids’ education. One way the parents come together is with the Thornes, a band of Hawthorne dads. I’ll be performing at Schuba’s on Thursday November 20th with the Thornes. We’ll be doing some rock and blues hits and a couple jazz tunes.
Come on out–it’s only $15 and all the proceeds go to Hawthorne. 7:30pm start
The Thornes
Jeff Moster Guitar and vocals
Bob Barnett Keyboard
Steve Schneck Horns
Louie Kritikos Guitar
Craig Sieben Harp
Tory Lopez Bass
Peter Birnbaum Drums
Special guest singers:
James Earl Jones II
Becca Walls
Scott Kemper
Today is Von Freeman’s 91st birthday. Missing him more than ever. Lately I’ve been missing his rock solid advice; whenever I felt lost he always got me back on the path. With all the interesting courses and the dynamic academic scene at University of Chicago, I’ve been feeling a touch lost; his wisdom would be perfect right now.
Here is one of my favorite solos from my years at the Apartment Lounge:
Here’s a photo of us recording “The Improvisor”:
Sue, Bill, Lindsay, Alton, Al, Lenny and I could not be more excited: from September 10 to September 24 we will be on tour in Colombia, visiting Cartagena, Baranquilla, the islands of San Andres and Providencia, Bogotá, and Bacaramanga. We have put together some new material that will be performed at universities, colombos (American schools), and festivals. Come Sunday would like to thank the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation and the Old Town School of Folk Music for their generous support.
See the tour schedule for more details…..
The 2014 Chicago Jazz Festival was a big success. George and I had a blast performing, the Yestet killed it, and the other bands were smokin’. Howard Reich had some nice things to say about some of the groups and about George and I.
Here are some highlights:
1. The set with George Freeman 4tet
(first 5 photos by Lauren Deutsch)
2. Bobby Broom showing us how it’s done.
3. Hanging out with one of my favorite guitarists
4. Gabriela met Cecile McLorin Salvant. Cecile is now Gabi’s favorite vocalist. Gabi was completely blown away by Cecile and was even more moved to meet her.
5. Gabriela and Esme Bradfield dancing to “Space is the Place.”
