Get your 2022 off on the right foot with new jazz!

The Chicago Experiment is the next in a series of the Ropeadope’s Experiment series. The label says that “at a time when communities are physically disconnected, and even history is being disrupted by a global pandemic and restricted travel, Ropeadope returns to the series to highlight the musical legacy of cities around the globe.”  Previous projects featured Philadelphia, Detroit, and Harlem. The Chicago Experiment was born of collaborations organized by Greg Spero (Spirit Fingers) and his hometown friends Makaya McCraven, Marquis Hill, Joel Ross, Irvin Pierce, Jeff Parker, and Darryl Jones.

The Chicago Experiment embodies the spirit of contemporary jazz. This is the essence of jazz blending with a modern feel and incorporating other musical styles to create something unique. Listen to some of it now and watch for it on Jan. 28.

David Benoit leads a 12-piece big band including Eric Marienthal on his new recording A Midnight Rendezvous – out Feb. 18.

Robert Glasper returns with Black Radio 3 on Feb. 25. He’s gathered some amazing talent to help get his musical vision to come to life. Check out the performance of “In Tune / Black Superhero” with the Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Rapsody, BJ the Chicago Kid, and a powerful Amir Sulaiman from The Tonight Show.