Sep 22, 2026 12:26 PM
Hyde Park Jazz Fest on Chicago’s South Side to Present 20th Edition
The Hyde Park Jazz Festival will take place for the 20th time on the final weekend of September 2026. Beginning half…
Samara Joy and Pasquale Grasso will close out the Sept. 24 program with a late-night performance in Rockefeller Chapel.
(Photo: HPJF)The Hyde Park Jazz Festival has announced that it will return to presenting in partnership with its long-time venue-partners across Chicago’s Hyde Park, Kenwood and Washington Park neighborhoods, featuring more than 34 free performances on Sept. 24–25. Venues include the Smart Museum, International House, Rockefeller Chapel, Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, Hyde Park Bank, Hyde Park Union Church, Little Black Pearl, Augustana Church, Oriental Institute and the Midway Plaisance.
Special guest and visiting musician projects will include David Virelles (solo); Jeff Parker (solo); Charles McPherson Quintet; Etienne Charles and Creole Soul; Camille Thurman and the Darrell Green Quartet; Mankwe Ndosi and Body mEmOri; and Darren Johnston’s Life in Times. Samara Joy and Pasquale Grasso will close out Saturday with a late-night performance in Rockefeller Chapel.
The Hyde Park Jazz Festival also will present “Weaving Strands of Sound from Addis to Chicago,” a collaborative musical experience between the Ethiopian-based QWANQWA and U.S.-based Hear in Now. At the core of both ensembles are stringed instruments, with each group exploring tradition and experimentalism in their own unique way, pushing musical boundaries and expectations within their respective communities. Here in Now includes Tomeka Reid (cello), Mazz Swift (violin), Silvia Bolognesi (bass) with special guests Eddy Kwon (violin/viola) and Chad Taylor (drums). QWANQWA is Kaethe Hostetter (violin), Selamnesh Zemene Taye (vocals), Misale Legesse (percussion), Endris Hassen (masinqo) and Anteneh Teklemariam Barago (krar).
The Hyde Park Jazz Festival is free but it asks attendees to consider a $10 per person donation. Performances on Saturday, Sept. 24, run from 1 p.m to midnight in multiple venues. Performances on Sunday, Sept. 25, run from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the Midway Plaisance. DB
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