Jazz Showcase
Category: Jazz & Blues [Edit]
Neighborhood: Near North Side59 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60605 (312) 360-0234
- Nearest Transit:
Grand (Red)
Merchandise Mart (Purple Express, Brown)
- Price Range: $$$
- Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
- Outdoor Seating: No
- Music: Live
- Best Nights: Thu, Fri, Sat
- Happy Hour: No
- Alcohol: Full Bar
- Smoking: No
23 reviews
Neighborhood: Near Southside
"Coolest place in the South Loop, hands-down. Also, best tap by far out of anything I've seen south of Roosevelt, or almost anywhere in…" read more »
12 Reviews for Jazz Showcase
Reopened in the brand new location inside the historic Dearborn Station, the Jazz Showcase is absolutely back in full force. The lineup is incredible (as it always was) and the new layout is better than ever. The schedule is a little more accomodating, as are the cover charges. It takes some strength to say that it's better than it was at the legendary Grand Ave location, but I think I'll say it... It is.
I've said many times before and I'll say it again with conviction: If you're looking for the best jazz listening experience this fine city has to offer, the Jazz Showcase is unequivocally IT.
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Cool (3)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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03/13/2007
Hands-down best jazz in Chicago. I've seen more jazz legends here - guys dating back to the 60's -… Read more »
Lost their lease -- and they are looking for a new home. They have been at this location (on Grand near Clark) for 10 years, in Chicago for 50 years and have been around since 1947.
Joe Siegel, the club's founder, is looking for another place to set up a band stand. In his quest for a new home, Siegel is getting considerable support from Jazz musicians who are performing for free on Mondays to help him out. The last performance will be on New Year's Eve. This location will close as of 01.01.07 -- and relocating to... Anybody have any great ideas or know someone who knows someone???
This is a great venue, an institution that should not miss a beat in finding a new home.
People thought this was:
Useful (12)
Cool (10)
I had an awesome time here a few months ago. This place is for real jazz afficianados. The people here are into the performance - very attentive audience - and the music is fantastic (I saw the Dave Holland Quintet).
Coming from a musician who has always hated jazz, it means a lot when I say that seeing live jazz at Jazz Showcase was a terrific experience. I will definitely be back for more.
People thought this was:
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Joe Siegel is an ass and the service sucks. Having said that, this is the best place to actually LISTEN to top name jazz in the city. I saw Dave Holland with Chris Potter here recently and it was incredible. I didn't know people could make sounds like that out of a saxophone! It's about $20-25 cover to get in this place on the average night. Well worth it for the big name artists.
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Useful (1)
Awesome place for live jazz. I'd suggest taking public transportation so you don't have to pay an outlandish amount for parking. With my budget, a night at the Jazz Showcase is definitely a special occasion, meaning it is usually pricier than other clubs. There is nothing wrong with that though because they usually bill more popular musicians.
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Any jazz fan that finds himself/herself in Chicago is really doing a disservice to miss visiting the Jazz Showcase. This is a jazz fan's perfect destination. All the tables are close, the acts range from top-notch to stratospheric, and the entire establishment exists FOR THE MUSIC. You want chit-chat? Go someplace else. Just let the music take you out of your head.
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closed again, after a New Year's Eve blowout. According to WBEZ, the Siegels will have a series of fundraisers in order to raise cash for a new location. Rent was at $100,000 (per year, I think) and they just couldn't afford it anymore.
This is THE place to go for mainstream jazz in Chicago. Joe Siegel has been the benevolent empresario at the Showcase since way before most of you readers were born. All the big name real jazz players come here to play when they come to Chicago. The thing that makes this place exceptional in addition to the always great jazz is that it is smoke free. I love it. A great Chicago institution, don't miss it.
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Useful (1)
I just saw Mose Allison play at this dark, big, non-smoking, jazzy, candlelit club. It was perfect. The drinks are quite expensive, as you'd expect, but I loved it. There was even a drunk "jazz slut" that barfed upstairs on the carpet after loudly hitting on this gay guy who was clearly with his boyfriend. I'd TOTALLY go again.
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While the sign boasts "Where jazz lives in Chicago since 1947," it's actually changed location over a dozen times since then. It's supposedly Chicago's second oldest jazz club (Green Mill opened in 1914). I can't imagine all the jazz greats that came to Chicago between those years only had one place to play, but whatever. Owner Joe Segel has done a great job keeping the current location an ideal place to truly *HEAR* jazz, rather than a place where loud tourists ogle over mafia hangouts. The no smoking and talking during performance policy is key. Charlie Parker and John Coltrane have played here, and the current performers are no slouches, including semi-regular McCoy Tyner, who played in Coltrane's classic quartet.
People thought this was:
Cool (1)
I went here back a few weeks ago and saw James Carter. Absolutely fantastic! Great intimate room--no smoking, good acoustics, cool people. I got a table with my date right up front--I was about two feet away from the mic stand. The drinks were priced right and the staff was upbeat and friendly. The only thing that struck me as strange was the fact that they made you wait in the lobby an hour before the showtime. I just figured that they would want to capitalize on money to be made at the bar as soon as possible, but oh well... I met my date there and was ready to talk with her over a few drinks, but ended up talking on a bench in the lobby--a few martinis would have broken the ice better. This is cab country here, it will run you less than the parking in this neighborhood. Great place to chill over some good music, but like most clubs that are serious about their performers, coversation is somewhat discouraged although they won't flat out shoosh you like at the GreenMill--just treat the place like you were at the movies. It will probably be quiet enough just to lean in to talk to someone's ear--while you're whispering, give them a kiss too!
People thought this was:
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This place exudes class. If I could afford to go every night, I would.
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