Hyde Park Jazz Society
HJPS Mission
Recognizing the place of Hyde Park in the history of jazz in Chicago, the Hyde Park Jazz Society is committed to the encouragement, promotion, and expansion of jazz performance in the greater Hyde Park community as well as to the education and expansion of the jazz listening audience.
The Hyde Park Jazz Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
HPJS History
In 1995, James W. Wagner formed the Committee to Restore Jazz to Hyde Park with the goal of returning Hyde Park to its glory days as a mecca for jazz musicians and fans. The committee enlisted the support of the past two presidents of the University of Chicago, Hugo Sonnenschein and Don Michael Randel, which resulted in the relocation of the Checkerboard Lounge to Harper Court in Hyde Park. The Committee to Restore Jazz to Hyde Park reconstituted itself as the Hyde Park Jazz Society in 2006 and successfully sponsored Checker JAZZ, a Sunday night jazz series at the “New Checkerboard Lounge for Blues and Jazz,” and supported performance by high school jazz musicians with a Sunday afternoon school series. In June 2009, the relationship between the Hyde Park Jazz Society and the Checkerboard Lounge ended. The Sunday night jazz series continues to thrive at its new venue, ROOM 43, less than one mile north of its former location. This new venue has won praise from our audience and musicians alike.
Tributes
The Hyde Park Jazz Society and its partner, John Wright Music, began a program of honoring jazz musicians, promoters, and supporters who have made distinguished contributions to jazz in Chicago. These tributes occur periodically throughout the year and are presented at the break between the first and second sets during their Sunday JAZZ series. Follow their calendar for the next scheduled tribute.
About HJPS Founder, James W. Wagner
It was with great sorrow that the Board of the Hyde Park Jazz Society announced the passing of its founder, James W. Wagner, on Saturday, 10 January 2009. Through his relentless efforts and commitment, he fulfilled his dream of bringing jazz back to Hyde Park. We are grateful he lived long enough to see his dream come to fruition through their very successful Sunday evening jazz series and the Hyde Park Jazz Festival. They will miss him, but will never forget him.
Hyde Park Jazz Festival
The Hyde Park Jazz Society has become a proud partner with the University of Chicago and the Hyde Park Alliance for Arts and Culture (HyPa) in presenting the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, the first of which was held on September 29, 2007 and featured 13 hours of free jazz!
The 2nd Annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival (14 hours of free jazz) took place on Saturday, September 27, 2008.
The 3rd Annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival (15 hours of free jazz) was another great success on Saturday, September 26, 2009.
The 4th Annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival is scheduled for Saturday, September 25, 2010.
Board of Directors and Committee Heads
James W. Wagner, Founder
| Board of Directors Charlie Thomas, President Almarie Wagner, Vice-President Judith E. Stein, Secretary Robert Hodge, Treasurer Bea Young, Membership Director Anita Cooper, Education Director Dwight Banks, Financial Director Robert Wiley, Director Carolyn Albritton, Music Producer, ex officio |
Committee Heads Hospitality: Duane Barnes and Betty Thomas Security and Sound: Jimmy Toles Sound Assistants: David Mickelson and Terry Smith Executive Life Members |
ROOM 43 1043 E. 43RD ST. Chicago, IL
Every Sunday night 7:30-11:30pm
Check here for latest events: http://www.hydeparkjazzsociety.org/series.html
ROOM 43 is a beautiful venue with easy parking (in the area, on the street) OR valet parking. Cash Admission: $10.00.
University students w/ID and children accompanied by adults: $5.00. Find out more about Hyde Park Jazz Society!
This photo is Chicago Studio Club founder Fred Starr and his friend, Hyde Park Jazz Society President, Charlie Thomas!
