Pianist

Charles McPherson was born in Joplin, Missouri in 1939 and moved to Detroit at age nine. While growing up in Detroit, he studied with the renowned pianist Barry Harris and started playing jazz professionally at age 19.  He then moved from Detroit to New York in 1959 in order to be in the heart of the jazz scene. McPherson soon joined bassist Charles Mingus’ band and performed with Mingus from 1960 to 1972. While performing with Mingus, he collaborated frequently with Harris, Lonnie Hillyer, and George Coleman.

Charles McPherson Quartet 2025

Dearborn Station

Greg Abate jazz saxophonist, flutist, composer continues as an International Jazz/Recording Artist with 225 days a year touring the globe.

Greg Abate Quartet

The Ravinia Jazz Mentors are eight of Chicago’s finest jazz artists, working with Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play to not only give school performances and master classes but actively train an auditioned group of top Chicago Public High School student musicians in skills for future professional studies and music careers. The ensemble (and the Jazz Mentor Program) is led by saxophonist Pat Mallinger, who for nearly three decades led regular late-night sets at the Green Mill, and joined on winds by 2016 Chicagoan of the Year trumpeter Pharez Whitted and former longtime Chicago Jazz Ensemble lead trombonist Audrey Morrison. The rhythm section includes Ernie Adams, who has drummed with a who’s-who ranging from Al Jarreau and Dianne Reeves to Joe Zawinul and Arturo Sandoval, and twice Grammy-nominated Latin percussionist Eric Hines, plus Chicago Jazz Orchestra bassist Dennis Carroll; pianist Richard Johnson, who has been a member of two Marsalis ensembles and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra; and guitarist Bobby Broom, who co-led the Deep Blue Organ Trio and currently fronts a namesake trio and Organi-Sation.

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Ravinia Jazz Mentors

Ravinia Festival

Pat Mallinger was born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota and began playing the saxophone at 11 years of age. He received his Jazz Studies degree from North Texas State University on a “One O’clock Lab Band” Scholarship.

Pat Mallinger Quartet

Jazz Showcase

Charles McPherson Quartet

Immerse yourself in the soulful rhythms of jazz with the Charles Heath Quartet at the iconic Jazz Showcase in Chicago. This much-anticipated event takes place from Thursday, May 30, 2024, to Sunday, June 2, 2024, with performances starting at 8:00 PM each evening. Located at 806 S Plymouth Ct, Chicago, this venue is a cornerstone of the jazz scene, providing the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable musical experience.

The Charles Heath Quartet, led by the exceptionally talented Charles Rick Heath IV, promises an evening of captivating jazz music. Heath, a Chicago native, is celebrated for his versatility and excellence in the jazz genre, seamlessly blending elements of Blues, Gospel, and Latin music into his performances. His remarkable career has seen collaborations with jazz legends such as Donald Byrd, McCoy Tyner, and Slide Hampton, and his role as the drummer for pianist and jazz legend Ramsey Lewis showcases his significant impact on the jazz world.

For this special showcase, Heath is joined by an ensemble of accomplished musicians: Isaiah Collier on sax, Ethan Phillion on bass, and Paul Mautzabaugh on piano from Thursday to Saturday, with Richard Johnson taking over the piano on Sunday. Together, they will explore the depths of jazz, promising performances that resonate with both purists and newcomers to the genre.

Tickets for the event are available for general admission and VIP preferred seating, with prices ranging from $20 for general admission to $35 for VIP on Thursday, and $25 for general admission to $40 for VIP from Friday to Sunday. This range of ticket options ensures that everyone can enjoy the magic of live jazz music in a setting that has hosted some of the greatest names in the genre.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness the Charles Heath Quartet live, as they bring their unique sound and infectious energy to the Jazz Showcase. It's not just a concert; it's an experience that celebrates the rich legacy and vibrant future of jazz music in Chicago.

Charles Heath Quartet

The Ravinia Jazz Mentor Program comprises eight of Chicago’s finest jazz artists working with Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play to not only give school performances and master classes but actively train an auditioned group of top Chicago Public High School student musicians in skills for future professional studies and music careers. Led by saxophonist Pat Mallinger, the ensemble presents a concert tribute to visionary jazz composer and saxophonist Wayne Shorter, the jazz legend who died in March at age 89.

Ravinia Jazz Mentors: Tribute to Wayne Shorter

Michael Frayn’s Noises Off takes a fond look at the follies of theatre folk, whose susceptibility to out-of-control egos, memory loss, and passionate affairs turn every performance into a high-risk adventure. This play-within-a-play captures a touring theatre troupe’s production of Nothing On in three stages: dress rehearsal, the opening performance, and a performance towards the end of a debilitating run. Frayne gives us a window into the inner workings of theatre behind the scenes, progressing from flubbed lines and missed cues in the dress rehearsal to mounting friction between cast members in the final performance. Brimming with slapstick comedy, Noises Off is a delightful backstage farce, complete with slamming doors, falling trousers, and — of course — flying sardines!

Pianist

Richard Johnson

Events

Past events

14 - 17 Aug, 2025

Charles McPherson Quartet 2025 · Jazz Showcase

7 - 10 Aug, 2025

Greg Abate Quartet · Jazz Showcase

About

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