Despite just returning from Milwaukee, it felt like time for a Chicago concert. Since nothing too enticing was coming up that weekend, we tried to find something low key. I had yet to see a performance at the Green Mill, a historic jazz club in Uptown on an opposite corner from the Riviera Theatre and the Aragon Ballroom, so decided it would be a good place to start. It consists of a bar and a small stage. Upon entry we were charged $20 and told that it would be a quiet show. This gave me pause, but I mistakenly still handed over my money. We cozied up to the bar as jazz singer Sheila Jordan’s set began.
Though I had never heard of her before, 87 year old Sheila Jordan is an accomplished session musician who has collaborated with an array of critically acclaimed artists such as Charlie Parker in addition to having a modest solo career. She was a pioneer of bebop and scat jazz singing with an upright bass as the only accompaniment, though this evening she was accompanied by a pianist as well as a bassist. On a different night, it would have been pretty interesting. But tonight, it unfortunately was not at all what we were looking for. As I was warned at the door, the show was really quiet and slow; every guest in the room was silent. We didn’t end up staying too long, only about four or so songs worth. During that time she played what I recognized as several jazz standards, though I couldn’t name the tunes.
We wandered across the street to the Upton Lounge for a much lively (and cheaper) performance by Tynan. Describing itself as “Chicagoland’s #1 Horn Driven Party Rock Band,” they specialize in Chicago-inspired jazz and funk tunes and mostly played covers. They were a great band to wander in on. We ended up talking to the manager and band leader, Tom Tynan, between sets. Tynan took his performances very seriously and both men seemed to be under the impression that we were there specifically to see them, rather than just happening upon the show. Though we had our fill and left before their second set, I would certainly keep an eye out for them in the future.
Though I had never heard of her before, 87 year old Sheila Jordan is an accomplished session musician who has collaborated with an array of critically acclaimed artists such as Charlie Parker in addition to having a modest solo career. She was a pioneer of bebop and scat jazz singing with an upright bass as the only accompaniment, though this evening she was accompanied by a pianist as well as a bassist. On a different night, it would have been pretty interesting. But tonight, it unfortunately was not at all what we were looking for. As I was warned at the door, the show was really quiet and slow; every guest in the room was silent. We didn’t end up staying too long, only about four or so songs worth. During that time she played what I recognized as several jazz standards, though I couldn’t name the tunes.
We wandered across the street to the Upton Lounge for a much lively (and cheaper) performance by Tynan. Describing itself as “Chicagoland’s #1 Horn Driven Party Rock Band,” they specialize in Chicago-inspired jazz and funk tunes and mostly played covers. They were a great band to wander in on. We ended up talking to the manager and band leader, Tom Tynan, between sets. Tynan took his performances very seriously and both men seemed to be under the impression that we were there specifically to see them, rather than just happening upon the show. Though we had our fill and left before their second set, I would certainly keep an eye out for them in the future.
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