Over the past couple of years I've gotten the chance to perform very frequently in Poland. To non-musicians there is a curiosity as to why? Trying to explain in words the vibrant energy and reception that I and other Chicago based musicians have experienced wouldn't quite do it justice – you would have to experience it first hand. I know that not everyone can just make the trip, but maybe the best example of the unique environment and connection to Chicago is the  Made In Chicago event that will take place in Poznan, Poland this November. In its' fourth year the event showcases a wide array of contemporary Chicago Jazz and improvised music. I had the extreme pleasure of performing there last November and this year's edition seems to have out done itself. Conceptually the event takes aspects of the Chicago landscape (events like the Saxophone summit, presentation of new commissions, workshops for students) and transplants it in the western Polish town. The event is the brain child of Wojtek Juszczak (one of Europe's most largest supporters and promoters of Chicago Jazz) and Jazz institute Executive Director Lauren Deutsch. The two have worked together as programming partners with  Juszczak staff at the cultural center Estrada Poznańska the taking the lead on production.  

The 2009 edition show (see below for full line up). Per usual there is the featured blowout set  this year presented by the fantastic saxophonist and composer Ed Wilkerson. The rest of the schedule includes representatives of the AACM, top-shelf local working bands, and ad hoc groups built around the visiting artists.

A festival like this does more than give Chicago musicians the chance to play on foreign soil —it also creates a international brand and identity to the exciting things they’re doing with Chicago jazz.

Friday, 20 November 2009, 8:00 p.m., Scena na Piętrze Theatre
8 Bold Souls
Edward Wilkerson saxes
Mwata Bowden saxes, clarinets
Tomeka Reid cello
Ike Jackson trombone
Gerald Powell tuba
Robert Griffin trumpet
Dushun Mosley drums
Harrison Bankhead bass

Friday, 20 November 2009, 10:00 p.m.,Blue Note Club
Willie Pickens Trio
Willie Pickens piano
Dushun Mosley drums
Lorin Cohen, bass

Saturday, 21 November 2009, 8:00 p.m., Scena na Piętrze Theatre
Indigo Trio
Nicole Mitchell flutes
Harrison Bankhead bass
Hamid Drake drums

Saturday, 21 November 2009, 10:00 p.m., Blue Note Club
Saalik Ziyad The 5 after 7 Project
Saalik Ziyad vocal
Fred Jackson saxes
Shaun Johnson trumpet
Dushun Mosley drums
Lorin Cohen, bass
Willie Pickens piano

Sunday, 22 November 2009, 8:00 p.m., Scena na Piętrze Theatre

FINAL CONCERT
ED WILKERSON’S CHICAGO ENSEMBLE
Edward Wilkerson saxes, composer, conductor                                                                       
Mwata Bowden saxes, clarinets, composer, conductor                                                                       
Tomeka Reid cello
Ike Jackson trombone
Gerald Powell tuba
Robert Griffin trumpet
Saalik Ziyad vocal
Fred Jackson saxes
Shaun Johnson trumpet
Willie Pickens piano
Dushun Mosley drums
Harrison Bankhead bass
Nicole Mitchell  flutes
Lorin Cohen, bass



Friday, 27 November 2009 , 8.30 PM   Blue Note
ORBERT DAVIS QUINTET
Orbert Davis  trumpet
Ari Brown tenor sax
Ryan Cohan  piano
Stewart Miller  bass
Ernie Adams  drums


Saturday, 28 November 2009
8 PM – concert
Aula NOVA - The Ignacy Jan Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznan
/ Music Conservatory/

CHICAGO  JAZZ PHILHARMONIC
“Collective Creativity”
ORBERT DAVIS – conductor, trumpet, composer
Stewart Miller - bass
Ernie Adams - drums
Ryan Cohan - piano
Ari Brown – reeds
Mwata Bowden – reeds
Nicole Mitchell – flutes