For Immediate Release
2025 Chicago Jazz String Summit
April 25, 26, 27

Press Contact
chicagojazzstringsummit@gmail.com

CHICAGO (Feb 23, 2025) – For eleven years, the Chicago Jazz String Summit (CJSS) has showcased the contributions of phenomenal string players to jazz, improvised, and experimental music. Founded by critically acclaimed cellist and composer Tomeka Reid, this year’s featured performances take place on April 25th & 26th at Constellation Chicago. To conclude the summit, an improv session featuring past and present Summit artists convenes at Hungry Brain on April 27th.

Friday April 25th features: Violist yuniya edi kwon together with cellist Lester St. Louis, folllowed by a solo set by cellist Ellie Weedon and finishes with Terry Jenoure’s Flame Trio that includes Terry Jenoure on violin and vocals, Joe Fonda on bass and Reggie Nicholson on drums.

Saturday April 26th features: Cellist Olula Negre together with interdisciplinary movement by Cristal Sabbagh and violinist Scott Rubin. Followed by a solo set on pipa by Min Xiao-Fen and finished with Gwen Laster’s New Muse4tet, that includes Gwen Laster on Violin, Melanie Dryer on violin, Teddy Rankin Parker on cello and Andrew Drury on drums.

Each year, CJSS highlights the legacy of one notable string player working in creative music. For 2025, CJSS is proud to honor trailblazing violinist Leroy Jenkins.

Proudly celebrating its 11th iteration in 2024, the Chicago Jazz String Summit is the only BIPOC-founded, curated and produced summit of its kind. Known for “stunning sets showcasing artists seldom seen in the Midwest, plus an up-and-coming local aggregation, too” (Downbeat), CJSS was initially founded as a response to other instrument specific summits in Chicago which did not feature string players.

"The Chicago Jazz String Summit has truly been a labor of love!" says Reid. "I can't believe it's already been ten years. The whole point of this event has been to highlight the amazing contributions from specifically violinists, violists, cellists and strings of the diaspora that may not be thought of to play on jazz and improvised music festivals. So in the true spirit of the AACM, create your own space! It's been amazing to connect with so many different string players and to celebrate a wide spectrum of string improvisation."

Chicago Jazz String Summit is pleased to partner with Constellation Chicago, the and Experimental Sound Studio. Please contact chicagojazzstringsummit@gmail.com for more details.

Friday, April 25, 2025 at Constellation
3111 N. Western Ave Chicago, IL 60618
Doors: 7pm
$20 Advance / $25 Door

8pm: yuniya edi kwon + Lester St. Louis
9pm: Ellie Weedon (solo cello)
10pm: Terry Jenoure’s Flame w/ Joe Fonda and Reggie Nicholson

Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Constellation
3111 N. Western Ave Chicago, IL 60618
Doors: 7pm
$20 Advance / $25 Door

8pm: Olula Negre/Cristal Sabbagh/Scott Rubin
9pm: Min Xiao-Fen (solo pipa)
10pm: Gwen Laster’s New Muse4tet w/ Melanie Dyer, Teddy Rankin Parker, Andrew Drury

Sunday, April 27 2024 at Hungry Brain
2319 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
Doors: 7:30PM / Show 9PM
$20 Advance & Door

Improv session featuring current and past CJSS featured artists