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The Chicago Jazz Festival, the city's longest-running music event (and No. 5 on the list of festivals in our Top 100 Events), celebrates 30 years starting tonight. The proceedings kick off at 6:30 p.m. with a performance by renowned jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins at the new Jay Pritzker Pavilion at Millennium Park. The concert series then moves to Grant Park for shows Friday through Sunday.

Taking place on three stages throughout the park, the Chicago Jazz Festival features free performances and activities from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday through Sunday. Notable concerts include Jazz Festival artist-in-residence Edward Wilkerson Jr., a Chicago-based composer, musician, and instructor, and legendary saxophonist/composer Ornette Coleman, who closes the festival Sunday night. MORE >>

Jazz Institute of Chicago, Chicago Transit Authority, The Chicago Tribune, CLTV, Comcast, Communications Direct, DownBeat Magazine, Hinckley Springs, Jazz Times Magazine, National City Bank, Pepsi, Tava, WGN-Television

FEATURE 07.03.08 12:35 PM

Chicago's Top Festivals 2008

Venetian Night
Photo: Courtesy of Mayor's Office Special Events

1. Taste of Chicago
More than 3.5 million people come to Grant Park each summer to sample dishes from around 70 Chicagoland restaurants during the Taste of Chicago. The free 10-day festival, now in its 27th year, took place June 27 to July 6 this year. In addition to tents full of food offerings, the event included an ongoing lineup of entertainment at the Petrillo Music Shell, with acclaimed artists like Stevie Wonder and Chaka Khan performing. MORE >>

Chicago's Top 100 Events, Jazz Institute of Chicago, Northalsted Area Merchants Association, Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago, Venetian Night, Chicago Air & Water Show, Chicago Blues Festival, Chicago Jazz Festival, Chicago Gospel Music Festival, BET, Chicago Country Music Festival, Chicago SummerDance, Northalsted Market Days

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