First Monday Jazz: Pharez Whitted Quintet

Launched in 2013, First Monday Jazz is APL's longest-running program, featuring emerging and established Chicago musicians and vocalists on the first Monday of every month.

First Monday Jazz is returning to the Arts Lawn for its landmark 13th season, and we are absolutely thrilled to announce that this year’s program is curated by the incredibly talented Clif Wallace II.

Our June Artist is Pharez Whitted Quintet.

Pharez has performed throughout the United States and overseas, including performances at Presidential Inaugurations, The Arsenio Hall Show, The Billboard Music Awards, Carnegie Hall and major jazz festivals throughout the country to name a few. Whitted studied music at DePauw University and went on to earn a master’s degree from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He has taught at prestigious colleges and universities such as Wabash College, The Ohio State University, Chicago State University and most recently Northern Illinois University. He is also the Director of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras (CYSO) Jazz Orchestra. Whitted has performed with such notable musicians such as Branford Marsalis, George Duke, Elvin Jones, Kirk Whalum, John Mellencamp, Nancy Wilson, Meshell Ndegeocello, Chaka Khan and Slide Hampton. Pharez is a performer, educator, composer, producer, clinician and was nominated for Independent Jazz Artist of the year in 2011. He has two CDs that were released on the MoTown Jazz Label (MoJazz) and five other recently released CDs on various labels. Pharez was named Chicagoan of the Year in Jazz for 2016 and inducted into the Shortridge High School Hall of Fame 2017. Awarded an Alumni Citation from DePauw University in 2018.

Clear you calendar, grab your lawn chairs, invite your friends, and save the dates to experience the incredible talent that defines Chicago’s music scene.

Attendees may start setting up their spots starting at 6:30pm. The program begins at 7pm.

We encourage bringing your blanket or a low-profile lawn chair to relax in the front seating on the grass.

For APL events on the Arts Lawn, restrooms are available inside the Green Line Performing Arts Center.

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