Dispatch: Chicago Jazz Festival Brings the Hot and Cool to Millennium Park

Capping the night off was Catherine Russell. She calls herself a late bloomer as a solo artist, Russell is the daughter of Panamanian musician Luis Russell. She grew up around artists like Louis Armstrong with the influence of King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, and Billie Holiday. Russell's voice has a rich timbre, perfect for Blues and Jazz singing. Her repertoire was Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday, Tiny Bradshaw, and obscure composers from the early days of Jazz. Russell's band has some Chicago talent. Pianist Ben Paterson brings the sound of the Hammond B3 to life with a gospel-tinged sound. Guitarist Joel Paterson (no relation) is a fixture at the Green Mill in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood. He brings a full jazz sound with a tinge of rockabilly and Hawaiian stirred in. Bassist Tai Ronen hails from Israel and drummer Domo Branch is from Portland, Oregon. Russell and her group remind me of all the hot nightclubs from my childhood. She sparkles on stage and the set is intimate despite thousands of people in the park. I was too young too young to see Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, or Dinah Washington in their prime but Catherine Russell brought them all to life with her ebullient stage presence and powerful voice.

The Chicago Jazz Festival continues through Sunday, September 1, at Millennium Park. It is free to get in and every seat is a good one. The vibe is mellow and the music is whatever temperature you are feeling, cool or hot. Hope to see you there!