Chicago, IL – July 2025 — The 26th Annual Englewood Jazz Festival, presented by Live the Spirit Residency, returns to Chicago’s historic Hamilton Park, expanding to five nights this year on September 16–20, 2025, marking a powerful milestone in American music: the 60th Anniversary of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM). All events are FREE.

Founded in 1999 by saxophonist and composer Ernest Dawkins, the Englewood Jazz Festival has become a vital platform for creative expression and cultural unity on Chicago’s South Side. This year’s festival pays tribute to the AACM, a globally influential collective born in Chicago that has shaped avant-garde jazz and experimental music for six decades.

“The AACM has always stood for innovation, integrity, and the fearless pursuit of sound as a force for change,” says Dawkins. “As we celebrate 60 years of its legacy, we honor not just the music, but the movement.”

The week will feature performances by AACM legends and next-generation artists. Events take place indoors on Sep 16-19 and outdoors on September 20 rain or shine, moving indoors in case of inclement weather. Some seating is provided, but attendees are advised to bring their own chairs, blankets, picnics, and an appetite for the kind of music that uplifts and transforms the human spirit! Further information is available at englewoodjazzfestival.org or by calling (773) 789-4227.

Many of the featured artists at the 26th-anniversary festival are longstanding members of the AACM, or have connections with the AACM.

This year’s festival begins with a double bill of Extraordinary Popular Delusions and Roscoe Mitchell Trio on Tuesday September 16, followed by saxophone quartet Saxophonitis, featuring:Ernest Dawkins, Kevin King, Jacob Slocum, Fred Jackson, and surprise guest) and Ben Lamar Gay Quartet KWATET on Wednesday September 17. This evening also features a panel discussion on the topic of “AACM at 60″

Thursday features a group led by festival director Ernest Dawkins in an original work entitled “Great Black Music – Ancient To The Future” dedicated to the founders of the AACM – Muhal Richard Abrams, Jodie Christian, Phil Cohran, and Steve McCall.

Friday night features the new work “Infinite Opus. Score Eternal” by music director and conductor of the Chicago Modern Orchestra Project (CMOP) and Modern Black Music Ensemble, Renée C. Baker. 

Moving outside on Saturday, The Young Masters under the direction of Ernest Dawkins, showcases rising talent. The 26th Anniversary celebration continues with a new work – “On The Back Porch” by jazz composer Adegoke Steve Colson,  as well as sets by JoVia Armstrong, Isaiah Spencer, and the Alexander McLean Project featuring Dee Alexander and John McLean. DJ Dwane Powell will spin in between sets. 

Additionally, as part of this event, to honor those whose work has helped shape and strengthen the foundation of jazz in Chicago, the annual Spirit of Jazz Awards will be presented to recipients to be announced.

6:00 pm: Extraordinary Popular Delusions

7:00 pm: Roscoe Mitchell Trio

4:30 pm: Panel Discussion “AACM at 60″ featuring Adegoke Steve Colson, Iqua Colson, Renee Baker, and Ernest Dawkins

6:00 pm: Saxophonitis: Featuring: Ernest Dawkins, Kevin King, Jacob Slocum, Fred Jackson, and a surprise guest.

7:00 pm: Ben Lamar Gay Quartet, featuring Ben LaMar Gay on cornet , vocals, electronics flute; Matthew Davis on tuba, vocals, electronics, flute; Edinho Gerber on guitar, vocals, flute; Tommaso Moretti on drums, vocals

6:00 pm: Ernest Dawkins presents the world premiere of “Great Black Music – Ancient To The Future” a work composed by Dawkins dedicated to the founders of the AACM. Featuring Dee Alexander on vocals; Corey Wilkes on trumpet and electronics; Derrick Gardner on trumpet; Norman Palm on trombone; Kevin King on flute, clarinet, and oboe; Jacob Slocum on baritone saxophone, B♭ clarinet, bass clarinet, and bassoon; Fred Jackson on flute, alto saxophone, and soprano saxophone; Caitlin Edwards and Edith Yokley on violins; Wilfred Farquharson on viola; Tahirah Whittington on cello; and Micah Collier on double bass; Kevin King on tenor saxophone, clarinet, flute and oboe; and Frank Morrison lll on drums.

6:00 pm: Renée Baker conducts the world premiere of her composition “Infinite Opus. Score Eternal,” featuring Ugochi Nwaogwugwu, Dee Alexander, vocals; Taalib din Ziyad, vocals, Flutes; Edwin Daugherty, Saxophones; Mwata Bowden, Clarinet and saxophones; Alex Wing, Carlos Pride, and Art Burton, percussion; Bruce Nelson, Vibes; and Carl Siegfried, Bass

Live The Spirit Residency is a not-for-profit organization that produces the Englewood Jazz Festival. Ernest Dawkins is the Executive Director of the organization and the Festival.

This 26 year old organization has the full support of the Englewood community including State Senator Mattie Hunter, State Representative Sonya Harper, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, and the City Arts program of the Department of Cultural Affairs. Our Englewood Jazz Festival is generally generously supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, SEIU, and Grow Greater Englewood.