CHI-TOWN JAZZ FESTIVAL TO HELP FEED HUNGRY MARCH 22 - 26

From March 22 to 26, the second annual Chi-Town Jazz Fest will return to clubs in the city and suburbs in support of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago and other charities, including the Greater Chicago Food Depository and West Suburban P.A.D.S. For full details, visit www.chitownjazzfestival.org.

The Chi-Town Jazz Festival realizes a dream of John Moulder, a jazz guitarist and priest at St. Gregory the Great Parish’s Artist in Residence Program. He was inspired to combine his love of jazz with his love of neighbor. He also took a cue from a legendary jazz event in New York City that raises money for important causes each year.

“As a priest who is also involved in the jazz community, I wanted Chicago to have a jazz fest that would also benefit charities,” says Father John. “The event was a great success last year, and now we’re hoping to raise even more awareness about hunger right in our backyard, while helping alleviate it. Everyone is on board with this event, and I am very excited about that.”

Part of the festival’s proceeds will go to Catholic Charities’ 9 food pantries that provide food for families and children, seniors and individuals throughout Cook County. The demand at these food pantries has continued to rise in the last year. Catholic Charities collects donations to stock the shelves, and also purchases food from the Greater Chicago Food Depository with donations.

You won’t want to miss the top-shelf jazz entertainment at some of the Chicago area’s best-known venues, including Jazz Showcase, the Green Mill, Andy’s Jazz Club, FitzGeralds, Symphony Center, and the Hideout.

Support for the Chi-Town Jazz Festival comes from the venues and the entertainers, all of whom seek a way to effectively aid those who are hungry and in need. Additionally patrons will be able to make a direct donation during the performances after learning more about the benefiting charities.

About Father John Moulder: Moulder’s 2006 “Trinity” recording examines themes of faith and divinity through jazz, and was named one of the 10 best jazz CDs of 2006 by the Chicago Tribune.  His critically acclaimed body of work and live performance work have been described as full of ‘sensitivity’ and ‘grace.’ On his most recent release entitled Bifrost (Origin 2009), John collaborates with Arild Andersen and Bendik Hofseth, along with his long time musical companions, Paul Wertico and Brian Peters. John has been a member of the Paul Wertico Trio for fifteen years. For more information please visit www.johnmoulder.com.

About Catholic Charities:
Founded in 1917, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago is one of the largest private, not-for-profit social service agencies in the Midwest, annually assisting more than 1 million persons in Cook and Lake counties without regard to religious, ethnic or economic background. Catholic Charities fulfills the Church’s role in the mission of charity by providing compassionate, competent, professional services that strengthen and support individuals, families and communities. Catholic Charities operates 10 food pantries in Cook and Lake counties,  four in the City of Chicago; and one in Cicero, Des Plaines, Worth, South Holland, Summit, and Waukegan. For more information, visit www.catholiccharities.net.

Schedule for Chi-Town Jazz Series, March 22-26, 2011
www.chitownjazzfestival.org

Tuesday March 22nd
8:00 PM to 12 Midnight ($10 )
Martyrs
3855 N Lincoln Ave
Chicago, IL 60613-3544
(773) 404-9494

Matt Ulery’s Loom   www.mattulery.com
The Renegades  www.myspace.com/therenegadeschicago
Chicago Afro Latin Jazz Septet (featuring Victor Garcia and Darwin Noguera) www.calje.org

Wednesday March 23rd
8 PM to Midnight ($15)
Jazz Showcase:   www.jazzshowcase.com
806 S. Plymouth Ct.
Chicago, IL. 60605
(312) 360 0234

St. Charles High School North Jazz Workshop
John Wojciechowski Quintet  www.jwojojazz.com
Dana Hall’s Spring   www.danahallmusic.com
with
Dana Hall - drums and cymbals
Geof Bradfield - soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones;clarinets
John Wojciechowski - soprano, alto, and tenor saxophones; flutes
Clarke Sommers – bass

Wednesday at The Hideout
10 PM to 1 AM ($8 cover)
1354 West Wabansia Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642
(773) 227-4433
The Engines
Mars Williams and Mike Reed  www.myspace.com/marswilliams

Thursday, March 24th
5:00 PM to Midnight ($12)
Andy’s Jazz Club     www.andysjazzclub.com
11 E. Hubbard St.
Chicago, IL.
(312) 642 6805

Kurt Schweitz Quartet
Jim Gailloreto Quartet  www.jazzstringquintet.com
Jim Trompeter Quartet www.jimtrompeter.com
Alison Ruble Quartet www.alisonruble.com
Josh Moshier Mike Lebrun Quintet www.jmoshiermusic.com 

Friday, March 25th  
9 PM to 1 AM (minimum donation required is $12)
The Green Mill  www.greenmilljazz.com
4802 N. Broadway
(773) 878 5552
Jim Snidero Quartet www.jimsnidero.com   9 to 11:30 PM
Geof Bradfield Group   www.geofbradfield.com    12 AM to 1 AM

8 PM ($25 donations requested for season tickets drawing)
Symphony Center www.cso.org
220 S. Michigan Ave.
(312) 294 3000
Branford Marsalis www.branfordmarsalis.com     and
Terence Blanchard   www.terenceblanchard.com

Saturday, March 26th
8:00 PM to 11 PM ($15 minimum donation required)
FitzGeralds   www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com
6615 Roosevelt Rd.
Berwyn, IL
(708) 788 2118
Elizabeth Doyle and Friends www.elizabethdoylemusic.com
Orbert Davis Quintet www.orbertdavis.com

Proceeds go to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Catholic Charities, and West Suburban P.A.D.S