Back Alley Jazz is inspired by the original jazz alley jams that took place in various locations on the South Side in the 1960s and 70s, and which still continue today in different forms, including the annual Universal Alley Jazz Jam. The project creates a contemporary neighborhood “happening” that animates, builds on, and celebrates Chicago’s history and the continuum of culture and art within communities.
THE 2022 BACK ALLEY JAZZ WAS HELD ON
SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2022.
Thank you for joining us! You can see last year’s schedule below.
12-6pm
7200 & 7300 blocks of
S. Paxton Ave.
6-7pm
7400 block of S. Oglesby Ave.
After Party
The Quarry
2423 E. 75th St.
3-7pm: Universal Alley Jazz Jam at 6916 S. Bennett Ave.
Universal Alley Jazz Jam also takes place Saturday, August 13.
MC: Maggie Brown
OPENING PROCESSION WITH UCHE OMONIYI & THE AFRICAN DANCE & MUSIC INSTITUTE AT NOON
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OPENING PROCESSION WITH UCHE OMONIYI & THE AFRICAN DANCE & MUSIC INSTITUTE AT NOON 〰️
Stage at 74th St. & S. Paxton Ave.:
Activities on 7200 & 7300 S. Paxton Ave.
7200 S. Paxton:
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https://www.hoopbus.com/
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Martial arts demonstrations for all-ages.
https://www.dbjmartialarts.com/
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https://www.facebook.com/familyismcreations/
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JAMEKA.MUHAMMAD
Anointed Hands Physical Therapy
2-4pm -
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https://www.facebook.com/elbuentacochicago/
Food Vendors
7400 S. Oglesby Ave.:
In partnership with
South Shore Residents &
With funding from
A Grant from the Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events with Funding from The Walder Foundation
Supported by Alderman Leslie Hairston & Alderman Gregory Mitchell
past BACK ALLEY JAZZ events
2023 Back Alley Jazz
Case Study from 2018:
additional resources about the jazz alley jams tradition:
The Alley LP: Audio Interviews from the Smart MuseuM
“The photographs in this exhibit document an event spanning over ten years, in one place - an alley on the south side of Chicago.
Every Sunday, the alley between St. Lawrence and Champlain hosted a battle - a Jazz battle, in Pop’s garage. DJs dueled to the sounds of Jimmy Smith, Lester Young, and Gene Ammons while people young and old grooved to the vibe that made everyone feel as one.
I was introduced to “The Alley” by Jimmy Ellis (photograph right by Jimmy Ellis) who hosted a live jam session in the garage once a month. Jimmy also introduced me to photography. This exhibit showcases some of the many photos that Jimmy and I took at the “Sunday Afternoon Jazz Set,” as it was formally known.
This project is dedicated to all who have come and gone and contributed to the beauty every Sunday afternoon.”
“Portrait of a Chicago Community 1966-1976” FROM THE MUSEUM OF PUBLIC ART
“We approached these topics not in order to ascertain all the facts about the alley’s different manifestations—a worthy goal, but beyond our scope—but in order to gather and tell what stories we could in the spirit of intergenerational sharing and bread-breaking.”
“Sunshine blue skies Saturdays, bring your chairs, kick back and enjoy the “jazzical sounds” coming from the South Side with love, on the plaza.”
