Live jazz revels at Shedd Aquarium! Join us for the?30th anniversary?of the popular midweek?Jazzin’ at the Shedd?series with unforgettable evenings of music, mingling and marine life.

Stroll through the aquarium to the soundtrack of jazz styles from around the world as you encounter animals from every corner of the map. Grab a drink, eat delicious food and spend time with friends exploring all the aquarium has to offer in the evening. Relax and leave the weather worries behind: all event festivities will be fully indoors.

As you sip and saunter, stop by Wonder of Water and Amazon Rising, new exhibits as part of the ongoing improvements to our building. With this work, we’re creating even more new experiences and outdoor spaces to elevate events in the future.

We appreciate your continued support and look forward to sharing these incredible updates with you!

Schedule of Events

Rio Bamba (May 28, July 9 & August 6)

The Rio Bamba sound is a unique blend of bossa nova, samba, American jazz and Latin jazz, played by world-class musicians. The group moves easily from classic and swinging jazz, vocal or instrumental to a Brazilian samba that brings everyone to the dance floor.

Lake Effect (May 28 & July 23)

Guitarist Bob Davis and keyboardist Neil Artwick have been playing together with their group, Lake Effect, for 20 years. Over the course of their careers, they have released two CDs, “Pandora” and “CD Baby.” Bob and Neil are joined by Larry Beers on drums, serving up R&B, Latin and soul.

Victor Garcia Quintet (June 4 & August 20)

Examiner.com’s Neil Tesser calls him “one of the most exciting young musicians.” Chicago Tribune’s Howard Reich says that he “stands out as an ebullient soloist offering a formidable technique and a radiantly polished tone.” JazzChicago.net’s Brad Walseth regards him as a “young lion trumpeter.” He’s as versatile as he is creative. His trumpet talent heralds his international acclaim. He also sings, plays percussion and his songwriting, arrangements and charts have led him to perform with a lineup of greats: Aretha Franklin, Arturo Sandoval, Wynton Marsalis, Nicholas Payton, La India, the Temptations and Paquito d’Rivera.

Christopher Lucas Wilson Trio (June 4 & July 30)

Christopher Lucas Wilson is a hard-swingin’ jazz pianist, originally hailing from metropolitan Detroit. His musical journey brought him to Los Angeles for a decade before he settled in Chicago in 2019, where he continues to perform, record, and hone his craft. Christopher's music is highly influenced by the blues, hard-swing, bebop, and the rich history of the jazz piano lineage.

The Ava Logan Quintet (June 11 & August 27)

Ava Logan is a veterinarian by day and a jazz singer by night! She has performed at clubs and festivals from Bel Air and Beverly Hills to Moscow, Minsk, Paris and Rome, along with local festivals in Chicago, Glen Ellyn, Olympia Fields and Maywood. Ava’s theater performances include “Ella Fitzgerald & Friends” and “Lena Horne & Friends” at the Skokie Theater, as well as portrayals of Ella and Nancy Wilson at Chicago’s Black Ensemble Theater. Her accompaniment may be anywhere from one musician up to an 18-piece big band! For relaxation and excitement, don’t miss this dynamic performer!

Soul Message Band (June 11 & August 20)

With a soulful and infectious style crafted around funky grooves, the Soul Message Band’s sound is rooted in the tradition of great Hammond B3 organists like Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, Charles Earland and Groove Holmes. The Soul Message Band consists of organist Chris Foreman, drummer Greg Rockingham, and guitarist Lee Rothenberg.

Aniba & The Sol Starz (June 18, HBCU/D9 Jazzin')

Aniba & The Sol Starz is a six-piece, authentic soul/R&B band out of Chicago, with the ability to authentically perform songs by soulful greats such as Aretha Franklin, Mavis Staples, Earth, Wind & Fire, Patti LaBelle and Donny Hathaway, as well as contemporary artists like Beyoncé, Katy Perry, Adele and Rihanna.

ConQuest The Band (June 18, HBCU/D9 Jazzin')

ConQuest The Band is a group of young, eclectic musicians bringing a unique blend to the music scene. Their goal is to grasp each crowd’s attention and win them over with their smooth rhythms, distinct harmonies and musical innovations. ConQuest’s music is a mixture of jazz, funk, classical, gospel and fusion thrown together to create a sound you will always remember.

DJ Vince Adams (June 18, HBCU/D9 Jazzin')

DJ Vince Adams is synonymous with top-quality events not only in Chicago, but across the U.S. For more than 25 years, Vince has built a reputation as one of the most versatile DJs in the country for his ability to not only play a variety of music, but to appeal to a wide base of party-goers and event attendees. Vince is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Anthony Bruno Quartet (June 25)

Anthony Bruno has dedicated his life to music as a performer, educator and creator. Born into a musical family, playing music has been a hallmark of his existence. He believes creativity and connection is the essence of music performance. Anthony brings pop sensibilities to the concept of improvised music in both his composition and performance. Rooted in jazz but drawn to R&B, Anthony writes and plays unapologetically from the soul. His latest album, “Cefalù,” is a sonic story about places known and fantasized, reflecting on experiences both real and imagined. A thoughtful mix of indie rock, R&B and jazz, Bruno's latest record is an exploration of instrumental, improvised pop music.

La Tosca (June 25)

La Tosca is a little orchestra — the kind you could find in a Parisian Café Chantant. It is a unique historical and geographical fusion as the musicians have different musical backgrounds and come from Italy, France, Poland and America. La Tosca wants to tell the stories of places, people, their imagination, expectations, dreams and disillusions through songs. These songs belong to a collective memory and represent an irreplaceable testimony of a passionate past of great European music combined with the rhythms of the Americas. The band takes you on a journey through the Italian musical heritage of 100 years of repertoire that saw the traditional music of Naples and Sicily meet the early American jazz in the roaring atmosphere of the 20s. Voice, accordion, violin, mandolin, bass and serenading guitars will take you on a passionate romance under the light of the candles of timeless melodies.

Michele Thomas Quartet (July 2 & August 13)

Jazz singer-songwriter, entrepreneur and educator Michele Thomas is a suave innovator. With silken grace she eases in her formative background in gospel and her love of R&B, soul and neo-soul into a musical language that shows a dedication and a passion for jazz, spanning all of its defining eras. Michele’s restless creativity reflects jazz’s improvisatory spirit — for jazz, like life, is a journey and not a destination.

Tom Lowery Trio (July 2 & August 13)

The Tom Lowery Trio is based in Chicago, playing jazz classics and standards from the Great American Songbook. While rooted in jazz, the trio incorporates tastes of funk, Latin and rock into some of their tunes. The Tom Lowery Trio has traveled the Chicagoland area playing events, restaurants, stages and festivals including the Merchant Street Music Festival in Kankakee, Illinois and a monthly residency with Sauce and Bread Kitchen in Chicago. The trio: Michael Crane on bass, Steve Kaiser on guitar and Tom Lowery on drums, have played a variety of music throughout the country and have come together to respect and share the music they love: jazz.

Joe Policastro Trio (July 9)

Hailed by Downbeat for its “deft analysis of choice repertoire,” and by the Chicago Reader for its “diversity of approaches to all kinds of source material,” the Joe Policastro Trio is a forward-thinking, Chicago-based jazz trio led by bassist Joe Policastro featuring guitarist Dave Miller and drummer Mikel Avery. While firmly rooted in jazz, the band’s open-minded, inclusive nature draws upon a wide array of musical styles and sources while still keeping the aesthetic of an acoustic trio intact.

Detour JazFunk (July 16)

Chicago-based Detour JazFunk’s roster boasts some of the nation’s premier musicians, including guitarist/vocalist Phil Seed, percussionist/vocalist Ben Johnson, bassist Kenery Kent Smith and keyboardist Tim Gant. From smooth jazz to funky old and new school R&B and neo soul, Detour JazFunk delivers.

Bill Boris Trio (July 16)

The Bill Boris Trio performs an exciting blend of jazz, pop and original compositions with a vibrant contemporary sound. Bill has performed with David “Fat Head” Newman, Fred Wesley, Tony Monaco, Marco Pignataro and Arthur Prysock, and has recorded with Eric Alexander, Charles Earland and Irene Reid. Bill’s latest CD, “Bright Moments,” features original compositions. He has performed throughout the United States and Europe. Bill is associate chair of the music department at Columbia College, coordinator of guitar studies, and director of the Fusion Ensemble.

Herbsaint (July 23)

The Herbsaint Band is a traditional jazz quartet that features the music of New Orleans master musicians Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong, Johnny Dodds and more. The group came together specifically during the development of the "Got You Some" New Orleans party series, created by Hunter Diamond and Chris Reed. For this project, musicians play the clarinet, drums and sing, with the aim of capturing the sonic spirit of the crescent city at the turn of the 20th century.

Isaiah Spencer Quintet (July 30)

With his edgy style and innovative beats, jazz and blues drummer Isaiah Spencer has carved out a unique reputation in Chicago and beyond. Critics have called his sound propulsive, fiery and incendiary. He has performed at the Chicago Blues Festival, the Englewood Blues Festival, Jazz Showcase, House of Blues and Rosa's, and shared the stage with greats including Fred Anderson, Pine Top Perkins, Eddie Clearwater, Buddy Guy, Clark Terry, Roy Hargrove, Tom Harrell, Donald Harrison, Wynton & Branford Marsalis, James Moody, Cyrus Chestnut, Johnny O'Neil and Nicole Mitchell. He has toured with William Parker, Ernest Dawkins and Guy King, among others

Javier Red Trio (August 6)

Comprising Javier Red on piano, Dan Thatcher on bass and Tim Davis on drums, the trio presents a performance centered around their interpretation of Thelonious Monk's compositions. They skillfully meld Monk's distinct rhythmic nuances with their own improvisational styles.

David Hilliker's Jazz Tribute (August 27)

Born into a musical family in upstate New York on December 26, 1967 with a father who was a guitarist and two older brothers who toured and recorded with organ great “Brother” Jack McDuff, drummer David Hilliker had music all around him. Early studies with David Chitambar and Dick Howard in New York led to studies later in life with the legendary Ed Thigpen (Oscar Peterson, Ella Fitzgerald) and John Von Ohlen (Stan Kenton, Woody Herman.) David has performed all around the Midwest at well-known jazz clubs and festivals such as the Jazz Showcase, Andy’s Jazz Club, the Elkhart Jazz Festival and the Chicago Jazz Festival.

Date:
May 28-August 27, 2025

Hours:
5 - 10 p.m.

Location:
Shedd Aquarium, 1200 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60605

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