AIRMW Celebrates Multi-Cultural Chicago with 30th Annual Chicago Asian American Jazz Fest Nov. 7-10

Asian Improv aRts Midwest (AIRMW), directed by multi-instrumentalist and media artist Tatsu Aoki, presents the 30th Annual Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival at Elastic Arts, 3429 W. Diversey Ave., #208, at 8:30 p.m. Nov. 7-10.

“AIRMW is committed to advancing the understanding and profile of Asian American cultures through the traditional and contemporary cultural arts,” says Aoki. “We are proud
of our history of producing high quality arts programs reflecting the multicultural, multi-ethnic reality of Chicago and the nation. For three decades, this annual festival, and especially this year’s program, are perfect examples of that mission in action.”

The 30th Annual Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival schedule is as follows. All events take place at Elastic Arts unless otherwise noted. Schedule/artists are subject to change:

Friday, Nov. 7
8:30-9:30 p.m., Set 1 - Francis Wong and Chicago Time Code
9:30-10:30, Set 2 - Jeff Chan and Ratchet

Saturday, Nov. 8
Time TBD: Panel Discussion at AIRMW, 4875 N. Elston Ave.– Panelist roster TBD
8:30-9:30 p.m., Set 1 - Ester Hana
9:30-10:30 p.m. Set 2 - Yoko Noge and Jazz Me Blues

Sunday, Nov. 9
8:30-9:30 p.m., Set 1 – Chien-an Yuan and All Things Shining
9:30-10:30 p.m. Set 2 – Mai Sugimoto, Haruhi Kobayashi and Kioto Aoki

Monday, Nov. 10
8:30-9:30 p.m. and 9:30-10:30 p.m. - the MIYUMI Project

AIRMW presents the 30th Annual Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival Friday, Nov. 7 through Monday, Nov. 10. All concerts take place at Elastic Arts, 208, 3429 W. Diversey Ave. Tickets are $20 and will be available at the door only (cash and credit card accepted). $10 tickets are
available to students with ID. A panel discussion is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8 at AIRMW, 4875 N. Elston Ave. For more information, visit airmw.org.

Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival programming will also be featured at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival in September as follows:

Saturday, Sept. 27
1 p.m. Nikutai Mondo Trio, at the Logan Center Penthouse, 915 E. 60th St.
4:30 p.m. Asian American Jazz Fest 30th Anniversary Panel at the Logan Center
2nd Fl.:Screening Room/Gallery, 915 E. 60th St.

Sunday, Sept.28
3 p.m. Chicago Asian-American Ensemble: “Origins of Now 2025” at the West Stage
Midway Plaisance / S. Ellis Ave.

The Hyde Park Jazz Festival is free but a donation of $10 per person is appreciated. For more information visit hydeparkjazzfestival.org.

The 30th Annual Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival precedes AIRMW’s “Reduction 11” concert co-presented by Asian Improv aRts Midwest / Tsukasa Taiko and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 19; and “Taiko Legacy 22” concert presented by Asian Improv aRts Midwest / Tsukasa Taiko at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20. Both concerts will take place at the Edlis Neeson Theater at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Tickets go on sale at a later date. For more information, visit mcachicago.org.