Jazz isn’t just music — it’s a living, breathing experience. It pulses through Chicago, shaping its history, culture and iconic venues, from intimate clubs to the storied stage of Symphony Center.
The 2025/26 Season of Symphony Center Presents Jazz continues its tradition of showcasing legends and amplifying the voices of artists shaping jazz’s future, including select programs curated by leading voices from Chicago’s vibrant jazz community. Witness masterful musicians and one-of-a-kind collaborations that will stay with you long after the final note.
SUBSCRIPTION OVERVIEW
JAZZ A • Save 30%
The only way to guarantee the best seats and the best prices for all eight concerts!
JAZZ A1 • Save 20%
NOV 7 Joshua Redman Quartet with special guest Gabrielle Cavassa
MAR 27 Miles Davis at 100: Gonzalo Rubalcaba / Unlimited Miles
MAY 1 Mike Reed’s Chicago Inspirations
JUNE 2 Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
JAZZ A2 • Save 20%
OCT 10 Christian McBride & Brad Mehldau
OCT 26 Herbie Hancock
FEB 6 José James with Lizz Wright: Marvin Gaye’s I Want You
MAR 13 Nubya Garcia / Somi
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Two icons, unrivaled chemistry
Christian McBride and Brad Mehldau — two music icons with a long history of collaboration — bring the intimacy and charm of a jazz club to Symphony Center. In a rare bass and piano duo performance, these Chicago favorites showcase their extraordinary musical rapport and captivating interplay. The New York Times hails Mehldau’s “elegant inventiveness,” while DownBeat praises McBride’s “unmistakable virtuosity.” The combination promises an evening of nuanced musical conversation.
A living legend, always looking forward
After Herbie Hancock’s 2024 performance at Symphony Center, the Chicago Tribune hailed him as “one of music’s most catalytic forces,” seamlessly navigating his vast catalog with playfully electric energy and charm. In his 85th year and 15th appearance on the stage of Orchestra Hall, he remains the epitome of innovation — constantly evolving his sound and discovering new ways to communicate through music.
* Please note special day and time.
Masterful sound, soulful expression
Joshua Redman, one of the most respected jazz saxophonists of his generation, “plays with imagination and empathy” (The Guardian). His performances are celebrated for their seamless blend of technical mastery, fierce improvisation and ability to move audiences. Hear Redman and his quartet play music from the group’s upcoming Blue Note album Words Fall Short, with vocalist Gabrielle Cavassa joining for selections from his last record, where are we.
A soulful tribute, decades of inspiration
Marvin Gaye’s I Want You shaped the music of a generation, blending jazz, funk, R&B, soul and disco in a way that pushed boundaries and continues to inspire artists today. Internationally renowned José James — “one of the suavest vocal improvisers on the scene” (Pitchfork) — joins forces with fellow singer Lizz Wright to reimagine the music of this provocative album in celebration of its 50th anniversary. Experience this soulful homage to one of R&B’s most influential recordings.
Fresh energy, genre-blending music
A driving force within the U.K. jazz scene, tenor saxophonist Nubya Garcia effortlessly weaves rich layers of Afro-Caribbean rhythms, dub, spiritual jazz and electronic textures in a powerful sound that is “loaded with meaning and emotion” (The Guardian). Daughter of East African immigrants, Grammy-nominated vocalist Somi returns home to Illinois performing songs that “gracefully fuse African grooves, supple jazz singing, and compassionate social consciousness” (The New York Times).
John Beasley
PIANO
Sean Jones
TRUMPET
Mark Turner
SAXOPHONE
Kurt Rosenwinkel
GUITAR
Ben Williams
BASS
Terreon Gully
DRUMS
Cuban pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba — hailed as “among the most accomplished jazz pianists in the world today,” with “colossal technique and an unfettered musical imagination” (Chicago Tribune) — presents an exhilarating solo piano tribute to Miles Davis. John Beasley’s “Unlimited Miles” project bridges Davis’ rich legacy with the vibrant future it continues to inspire, exploring Davis’ visionary spirit through bold arrangements spanning every decade of his boundary-pushing career.
Music inspired by Chicago bassist Fred Hopkins
Chicago jazz & improvised music 1980-2010
Students from the Jazz Institute of Chicago Jazz Links Program
Geof Bradfield SAXOPHONE AND MUSICAL DIRECTOR Curated by Mike Reed, Owner and Director, Chicago’s
Drummer-composer Mike Reed explores the legacy of Chicago bassist and AACM member Fred Hopkins with new works, including a commission by Henry Threadgill. Performed by a powerhouse ensemble of fellow Chicago improvisers, the program reflects Hopkins’ deep influence on avant-garde jazz. Saxophonist Geof Bradfield and talented high-school jazz musicians open the concert with music composed in Chicago between 1980 and 2010, a transformative era of risk-taking within the city’s jazz scene.
Mike Reed DRUMS / Nicole Mitchell FLUTE
Tomeka Reid CELLO / Greg Ward ALTO SAXOPHONE
Joshua Abrams BASS / Jason Adasiewicz VIBRAPHONE
Timeless jazz, acclaimed ensemble
The legendary Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and its trailblazing leader Wynton Marsalis return to Symphony Center, their home in Chicago. “Technically precise and emotionally charged,” the ensemble displays its “versatility and deep understanding of jazz traditions” (The Wall Street Journal), while working hard to preserve the genre for the present day — performing everything from new commissions to masterworks by artists like Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk.
A Musical journey
In June 2026, Symphony Center marks America’s 250th anniversary with performances that honor the nation’s rich and evolving cultural landscape. From concerts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to appearances by guest artists and jazz ensembles, these additional programs reflect the country’s resilience, creativity and musical traditions.
JUNE 4-6 | CSO
Alsop Conducts Adams, Copland & Marsalis
Featuring Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis
JUNE 7 | PIANO Conrad Tao
JUNE 11-13 | CSO Gaffigan, Thibaudet & Bernstein
JUNE 18-21 | CSO
Lincoln Portrait & Ellington Harlem
JUNE 23 | CSO
A Musical Tribute to John Williams & Steven Spielberg
JUNE 25-27 | MOVIES
Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert
Save 15% when you add any of these concerts to your subscription.
Join us for this dynamic tribute to 250 years of American history, and stay tuned for additional events to be announced. Visit cso.org/america250 for more information.
Conrad Tao
Joshua Weilerstein
Marin Alsop
James Gaffigan
Subscriber Rewards
When you subscribe, you gain access to exclusive rewards tailored to your Symphony Center experience.
You may enjoy a curated subscription if you …
• Love your seats and want to keep them for every concert, year after year.
• Have a favorite genre of music and don’t want to miss a moment of it.
• Want to guarantee the best seats at the best prices of the season — savings up to 30%.
All subscribers have access to …
• Flexible ticket exchanges when plans change.
• 15% savings on additional concert tickets and Symphony Store purchases.
• Convenient, interest-free payment plans with no additional fees.
• Exclusive parking rates at nearby garages.
- Visit cso.org/parking for more transit options, including the special round-trip North Shore Shuttle service for Friday matinees.
• Unique subscriber-only offers, presales and events, including the opportunity to order tickets for priority access concerts* and CSO summer concerts at the Ravinia Festival before the general public.
Symphony Center Presents Jazz subscribers have access to ...
• A FREE one-year subscription to DownBeat. Get in-depth coverage of the international jazz scene from Chicago’s own DownBeat! While supplies last
• 50% off at Jazz Showcase on SCP Jazz concert nights when you show your ticket stub or subscriber ID at the door.
*Individual tickets to priority access concerts are currently only available to subscribers.
Seating Chart
Dining at the Thomas Club
Located on the ninth floor of Symphony Center, The Richard & Helen Thomas Club offers a sophisticated dining experience with breathtaking views of Lake Michigan. Open on select concert dates, the club invites ticket holders to enjoy a meal in an elegant, tranquil setting before performances.
The seasonally inspired prix fixe menu showcases a blend of classic and contemporary cuisine, crafted with fresh ingredients. Guests can savor thoughtfully prepared appetizers, expertly executed entrées and decadent desserts, all complemented by a curated wine and cocktail selection.
View menus, make a reservation and learn more at cso.org/dining
Pricing
All printed prices are valid through June 30, 2025, and are subject to change based on demand after that date. All subscriptions are subject to a $25 order fee. Seating is subject to availability at the time of sale. Terrace subscription seats may be relocated if a concert involves a screen. Box Level CYO and add-on savings are 5%; savings are applied to standard prices at the time of order, which can increase based on demand. All artists, programs, dates and times are subject to change.
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SEP 26 | WORLD & FOLK
Aida Cuevas: 50 Years Singing to México
Aida Cuevas, the unrivaled queen of ranchera music, celebrates her 50th anniversary with her signature elegance, artistry and heartfelt authenticity.
FEB 28 | WORLD & FOLK
Tango After Dark
Don’t miss the “splendid, sensual, imposing extravagance of Argentine tango” (DanceTabs) in Tango After Dark. Germán Cornejo leads a stellar cast of dancers, singers and musicians in an unforgettable evening featuring the music of Astor Piazzolla.
PRIORITY ACCESS CONCERT*
MAR 5-6 | CSO
Mäkelä Conducts The Rite of Spring
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Klaus Mäkelä conductor
MILHAUD Le Bœuf sur le toit
GERSHWIN An American in Paris
STRAVINSKY The Rite of Spring
Led by Klaus Mäkelä, the CSO presents one of the most electrifying and revolutionary works in the orchestral repertoire: Stravinsky’s
The Rite of Spring. Also featured are Milhaud’s playful Le Bœuf sur le toit, a kaleidoscope of rhythmic wit and whimsy, and Gershwin’s An American in Paris, a jazz-infused portrait of the City of Light.
*Subscribers receive first access to order tickets to this in-demand program.
MAR 22 | WORLD & FOLK
Ravi Shankar Ensemble
Shubhendra Rao sitar
Ayush Mohan sarod
Ravichandra Kulur flute
Padma Shankar violin and vocals
Anubrata Chatterjee tabla
In the group’s debut tour, the Ravi Shankar Ensemble pays tribute to Ravi Shankar’s legacy with a presentation of his masterful compositions alongside rare archival visuals.
Visit cso.org/calendar to explore the full 2025/26 Season.
