Wednesday, March 15, 2017

#TonyBennett, #PatMetheny top Ravinia's jazz lineup

Tony Bennett, shown at Ravinia in 2016, returns for another performance there this summer, a day after his 91st birthday. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

by Howard Reich
march 15, 2017

Jazz tends to come and go at the Ravinia Festival, some seasons more active than others.


This summer a few bookings stand out, most notably Tony Bennett returning to celebrate his 91st birthday (yes, he still can sing, and quite effectively, at that); evening-length tributes to Henry Mancini and Ira Gershwin (both backed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra); and an homage to Peggy Lee by Chicago singer Spider Saloff.

Still, any jazz devotee yearns to see Ravinia reclaim the glory it achieved in the 1990s, when the festival's past executive director, Zarin Mehta, gave jazz the attention it deserved.

Following are highlights of the upcoming season. Ravinia is located near Lake Cook and Green Bay roads in Highland Park; for tickets and other information, visit www.ravinia.org

read more at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/music/reich/ct-jazz-ravinia-ent-0315-20170314-column.html

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