Downtown Glen Ellyn Jazz Up Music Festival

Saturday, July 12

Downtown Glen Ellyn Jazz Up Music Festival. Curated by Artistic Director Fareed Haque, this year's festival features Rising Stars & Legends! This is the premiere jazz festival of DuPage County, bringing an evening line-up of the best jazz in the Midwest by collaborating with local partners such as The Bellas Artes School of Music, The College of DuPage and 90.9 FM, WDCB THE Home of Chicago Jazz.

Schedule:

10:00 am Jazz Brunch at Nobel House featuring Bellas Artes Student Jazz Combos, York High School Jazz Combo and The Bellas Artes Jazz Faculty.
1:00 pm Latin Jazz Master Class Open to musicians of all ages and instruments
4:00 - 9:30 pm Jazz Up Music Festival on Main St (line up below)

*This is a FREE event. No outside alcohol to be brought in, as restaurants and wine shops will be serving. Event map and parking info below. Chairs are allowed in as early as 1pm. See additional information below.

The DuPage Community Jazz Ensemble

4:00 - 4:50 PM

DuPage Community Jazz Ensemble performs programs throughout the year on and off-campus performances. Its repertoire spans more than a century of large jazz ensemble compositions, including original work from members of the ensemble.

Special Guest Trumpeter Leon Q. Allen

4:00 - 4:50

Allen has over 15+ years' experience performing in multiples genres of music globally, which include Jazz, Urban, Latin, Inspirational, and international forms in Live and Recorded environments.

Bellas Artes School of Music Student Jazz Combos

5:00 - 5:20 PM

The Institute for Jazz Studies at Bellas Artes School of Music offers year-round instruction in Jazz Improvisation. Come hear students from their jazz combo program.

Lenard Simpson Group

5:30 - 6:20 PM

Lenard Simpson is a saxophonist, composer and educator. Simpson was awarded outstanding soloist at the New York City Mingus Jazz Competition. Lenard’s trio has appeared at premier clubs and jazz festivals throughout the United States playing with such artist as Billy Childs, Kurt Elling, Marquis Hill, and Clayton Cameron. In addition to maintaining an active performing schedule, Lenard remains active as a bandleader, composer and educator in the music community. "Lenard is quickly becoming known as one of the most important saxophonists of this generation. He will undoubtedly continue to change the landscape of music with his presence and incredible sound." - Kiefer

Second Place Bellas Artes Battle of the Combo Winners

6:30 - 6:50 PM

The Giant Jazz Combo is a student-directed ensemble made up entirely of Highland Park High School students. This award winning combo has performed at venues ranging from local food joints to private weddings. The Giant Jazz Combo aims to raise the bar for high school music by providing quality jazz to the Chicagoland community.

Thaddeus Tukes Group

7:00 - 7:50 PM

Named a 2024 Downbeat Magazine "Rising Star", composer and percussionist Thaddeus Tukes is one of the most dynamic musicians in America! Presented as the "World's Best Vibraphonist" by World Expo 2020 in Dubai, his virtuosity and creativity "brings poetry to the vibraphone" (Chicago Tribune, 2019), which has captivated audiences around the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York City, Symphony Center Chicago, and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. As one of "Chicago's Hidden Gem's" (CBS, 2023), Thaddeus honors the legacy of the jazz tradition and beyond.

Special Guest Vocalist Julia Danielle

7:00 - 7:50 PM

Julia Danielle is a dynamic vocalist, arranger, educator, and composer making her mark in the vibrant jazz scenes of Chicago and New York. A 2022 International Ella Fitzgerald Jazz Vocal Competition winner, Julia earned widespread acclaim performing alongside the Tierney Sutton Band at Washington D.C.'s renowned Blues Alley Jazz Club, where she has since headlined her own shows. Her debut album, Julia Danielle, released in November 2024, garnered praise as "a fresh voice" with a "a folksy wisp that floats with a bohemian glide" (Jazz Weekly).

First Place Bellas Artes Battle of the Combos Winners

8:00 - 8:20 PM

Terrific student-led band from the Downers Grove South High School Honors Combo, made up of some of the best players in the area! Six performers, including drums, bass, guitar, keys, trumpet, and sax. Jazz standards, jams, and more!

Ari Brown Group

8:30-9:20 PM

Ari Brown belongs in Chicago’s canon of great tenor saxophonists.

He hasn’t often sought the spotlight, but his blend of bebop rigor and avant-garde daring puts him on par with Fred Anderson and Von Freeman. Brown played piano in mostly soul and blues bands until 1965. In 1971, he joined AACM and made jazz his primary focus. Brown played sax on a few albums by group called the Awakening. The Chicagoan also kept busy during the 1980s, recording with Lester Bowie before being hired by Von Freeman, Bobby Watson, and Anthony Braxton (who hired him for his Charlie Parker Project). It was in 1989 that Brown began his lucrative membership in Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio. But as long a resumé as Brown had as a sideman, he didn't record as a leader until 1995, when he provided the diverse Ultimate Frontier for Delmark.

About Fareed Haque

Curated by Artistic Director Fareed Haque, Fareed is a modern guitar virtuoso. Steeped in classical and jazz traditions, his unique command of the guitar and different musical styles inspire his musical ventures with tradition and fearless innovation. Haque has toured and recorded with Joe Zawinul, Billy Cobham, Dave Holland, Paquito D’Rivera, Sting, Zakir Hussain, Bob James, Joe Henderson and many others, in addition to co-leading groups with Tony Monaco, Paul Wertico, Goran Ivanovic, Garaj Mahal, and The Chicago Immigrant Orchestra. Haque has released numerous albums as a leader, in jazz, classical, world music and fusion styles, and is the recipient of numerous accolades and awards including Best World Guitarist, Guitar Player Magazine 2009, 2004 Acoustic Album of the Year, 2007 Independent Music Award, and Best New World Music Group in Chicago Reader Poll 2020.

Map & Details: Jazz Up Music Festival

Location The concert is on a beautiful Main Street in Downtown Glen Ellyn between Crescent Ave & Pennsylvania Blvd. There are many restaurants offering amazing meals and drink options.

This s a FREE festival, however, we do ask you help support this event with a suggested $5 cash donation at the door or via Venmo.

Parking Jazz Up is 1 block away and the Glen Ellyn Metra Stop is across the street. Free parking is available in several Metra Lots and two parking garages. For help planning your visit click HERE

Chairs are able to be set up by 1:00 pm. We recommend bringing chairs. Some like to set up for a day of picnicking. Music will start immediately at 4pm. There will be an exciting entrance at 4pm you won't want to miss!

No Outside Alcohol. No outside alcohol will be allowed inside the festival area. Restaurants and bars will be serving drinks and providing wristbands to consume on the streets. No alcohol is to leave the festival area. Consuming alcohol will require a free wristband provided at no cost from the restaurant.

Outside food is available to be brought into the festival area. Please consider ordering carryout from our downtown businesses. Visit our dining directory.