Jazz Showcase: User Reviews

jazz showcase
By abernathy from northcenter, June 16, 2008

Overall rating:

what a fantastic evening of music, drinks, and ambience. the new Dearborn Station location is a beautiful, clean, intimate setting. Junior Mance Trio sounded fabulous & interacted with the crowd. Can't wait to go again!

Great jazz club... and they...
By sharon from Chicago, IL, May 27, 2006

Overall rating:

Great jazz club... and they don't force you to drink!

Just saw the Dena DeRose Trio - in through Sunday night... amazing:
The Dena DeRose Trio --- lush voice, sparkling interpretations of classics, and three instruments played as one. I was blown away and I'm going back again. Ms. DeRose's playing is amongst the best I've ever seen; and I've been lucky to have seen the likes of Mary McPartland. Ms. DeRose's fingers are indeed one with the keyboard. If you like a silky lush voice, (think: kd Lang) and piano played with grace, energy and versatility (and as the percussive instrument it is - think: Jelly Roll Morton, Oscar Peterson, the Duke), and you enjoy seeing the interplay and hidden language between world-class musicians, then, you should definitely stop by The Jazz Showcase on Saturday and Sunday.

absolutely the BEST place to...
By Cynthia from chicago, il, December 16, 2005

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absolutely the BEST place to hear REAL jazz in the city!!! NO SMOKING!! No food!!! NO LOUD TALKING AND LAUGHTER FROM NON-JAZZ LOVERS DURING THE SETS!!! GO THERE TO HEAR REAL JAZZ, NO IMITATIONS OR AMETUERS.

The Jazz Showcase is a...
By Ryan from Chicago, IL, October 17, 2005

Overall rating:

The Jazz Showcase is a great venue and the McCoy Tyner Trio was incredible! However, we arrived 45 minutes before the show and still weren't able to secure a decent seat due to the number of Magianno (sp?) reservations. The seating situation was border line unacceptable. In addition, the performance was only 1 hour and then we were kicked out. I have never attended such a short performance. For $30 a hit, we should be able to get a semi-respectable table and enjoy a performance for over an hour, preferably 2. Otherwise, the place is fantastic with some amazing talent.

Best place in the city...
By Frank Rizzo from Chicago, IL, December 18, 2003

Overall rating:

Best place in the city to listen to Jazz. If you are looking for a place to hang out and chat with friends, this is not your place. But if you are looking to hear some great jazz in an intimate setting, this is your place. Also, don't forget about bringing the kids on Sunday for Joe Segal's "Save the Children" campaign!

The Showcase is the best...
By Neil Nemeth from Munster, IN, September 7, 2003

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The Showcase is the best jazz club in the country because it focuses strictly on the music. You won't hear clattering dinner plates or talking during the performances, as this is a prime listening room. The cover charges range from $20-$25, but they're about $10 less than you'd pay for the same players in a New York City club without having to pay for an overpriced, mediocre meal in addition. Most nights, you can stay for the second set with no additional cover or minimum. Since the best national jazz players play here, the value is tops. The wait staff is helpful and they don't pester you. And it's nonsmoking to boot. So if you're a serious jazz enthusiast and want to hear the best players in the world, the Showcase is the place to be.

I had the pleasure of...
By K W from Chicago, IL, July 9, 2003

Overall rating:

I had the pleasure of attending Jazz Showcase during the 4th of July weekend and I have to say it is one of the better Jazz joints in Chicago. The crowd was a mixed variety of people which is the way I like it and there was no smoking. Now that was a plus, Jazz is way too classy to listen to in a smoke filled room. The cover is pretty stiff though at $20, but at least you get 3 shows.

Too expensive and very, very...
By Timothy Binetti from Lombard, IL, June 13, 2003

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Too expensive and very, very pretentious. I'm sorry, but if the jazz club doesn't have smoke blowing around in the background, its just another yuppie rip off joint.