New "Chicago In Tune Festival" celebrates music in the key of Chicago

Chicago In Tune (August 19 – September 19) is a new citywide festival celebrating music in the key of Chicago — during the 2021 Year of Chicago Music. This month of music will bring iconic neighborhood venues, presenting organizations and musicians from across the city together to celebrate all music genres and forms — with both large and small, free and ticketed events at clubs, concert halls and beyond.

As part of this debut event, DCASE will present new and re-imagined programs in place of this year’s Gospel music, Jazz, House, and Blues festivals which had to be canceled in Millennium Park.

Four special evenings at Jay Pritzker Pavilion will honor music born and innovated in Chicago, presented by the Millennium Park Foundation: Gospel music (September 3), Jazz (September 4), House (September 11) and Blues (September 18) — all at 5:30–8:30pm.  

The September 3 Gospel music event, hosted by Jonathan McReynolds and Inspiration 1390’s Sonya Blakely and DeAndre Patterson, will feature LaShon Brown; a celebratory music tribute to Rev. Dr. Clay Evans, Pastor Maceo Woods, and ArchBishop Lucius Hall featuring The Carson Sisters, Nicole Harris, and Illiana Torres; and The Tommies Reunion Choir.

The Jazz event on September 4 is presented in collaboration with the Jazz Institute of Chicago and will feature Ari Brown, Marquis Hill, and Lizz Wright.

The September 11 House music celebration will feature “Sanitize Your Soul,” a debut Gospel House Choir collaboration between Mark Hubbard and DJ Terry Hunter.

And the Blues event on September 18 is a celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Alligator Records with Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Nick Moss Band featuring Dennis Gruenling, Cash Box Kings with special guests, Shemekia Copeland, Billy Branch, and Wayne Baker Brooks.  (Details here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/in_tune.html )