Downtown Glen Ellyn Jazz Up Music Festival

4:00 - 4:50 PM 

  The DuPage Community Jazz Ensemble performs programs throughout the academic year as well as numerous off‐campus performances. The ensemble has accompanied guest artists such as Melissa Aldana, Vincent Herring, Carl Allen, Wycliffe Gordon, Ignacio Berroa, Carl Allen, Dee Alexander, Fareed Haque, Jens Lindemann, Victor Garcia, and Mark Colby, is a frequent presence at the Elmhurst University Jazz Festival, has performed at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago, and in 2004 was recognized by the United States House of Representatives for its work on behalf of the Armed Forces Children’s Education Fund. Its repertoire spans more than a century of large jazz ensemble compositions, including original work from members of the ensemble. . 

5:00 - 5:20 PM 

  6:30 - 6:50 PM  

Quintessence, a Chicago-area jazz quintet formed in 2025, performs bebop and cool jazz standards in addition to its more nuanced, contemporary repertoire.

In 1961, famous bop trumpeter Quincy Jones wrote the piece “Quintessence,” which explored a new domain with his music and showcased his jazz orchestra's versatility as well his own way of arranging. In March of 2025, trumpeter Joe Gabriel and drummer Carson English discussed the idea of creating a new jazz combo that could serve as each member’s personal musical project. Similar to Jones, the band’s project helps members find their own style and grow in improvisation.

Quintessence also includes pianist Addy Potsch, bassist Lucy Theiss, and reedist Otto Hammons. Together, these musicians seek to imitate today’s contemporary jazz heroes — such as the late Roy Hargrove and Chick Corea — while also paying due homage to the great bop giants of the past. 

   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).

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.