Stu Katz-John Campbell Quartet

Thursday, August 17, 2023 8:00 PM 20:00
Sunday, August 20, 2023 8:00 PM 20:00

Jazz Showcase 806 S Plymouth Ct Chicago United States (map)

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AUGUST IS CHARLIE PARKER MONTH!

John Hurtubise - bass
George Fludas - drums

Stu Katz (born June 9, 1937) is an American jazz pianist and vibraphonist.

Over his career, Katz has performed with many world-renowned jazz musicians including Gene Ammons, Kenny Burrell, Bud Freeman, Dexter Gordon, Roy Haynes, Milt Jackson, “Philly” Joe Jones, Clifford Jordan, James Moody, Zoot Sims, Sonny Stitt and Phil Woods.

Katz has played piano or vibes in eleven different Chicago Jazz Festivals and on six jazz-themed cruises on Norwegian Cruise Lines. In 1990, he toured Italy and Switzerland as the pianist in a quartet led by a long-time collaborator, alto saxophonist Bunky Green, and rounded out by Marcus McLaurine and Yoron Israel. In August, 2010, Katz played piano and vibes in a quintet co-led by another long-time musical partner, the late multi-instrumentalist Ira Sullivan, at Joe Segal's Jazz Showcase in Chicago with a rhythm section consisting of Dan Trudell, Dennis Carroll and George Fludas. A live recording of those performances titled A Family Affair - Ira Sullivan and Stu Katz - Live at Joe Segal’s Jazz Showcase was released in September 2011 on the Origin label.

At the 2015 NEA Jazz Masters Awards ceremony held at Lincoln Center in New York City to pay a musical tribute to award winner Joe Segal, the founder of Chicago’s Jazz Showcase, Stu was the pianist in a quintet specially assembled to pay tribute to Joe also consisting of previous NEA Jazz Masters Award honorees Jimmy Heath and Jimmy Cobb, plus Ira Sullivan and Ray Drummond.

“(Stu) Katz . . . remains — along with Barry Harris, Hod O’Brien, and one or two others — among the last fully authentic purveyors of unreconstructed bebop piano in the country.” –Neil Tesser

John Campbell (born July 7, 1955) is an American jazz pianist and vibraphonist.

John Campbell was born in Bloomington, Illinois, where he began studying piano at age 7. John ultimately attended Illinois State University, majoring in percussion and playing bass in the jazz ensemble. He moved to Chicago in 1976, where he played with many different groups (including with Stu Katz) in a wide variety of jazz styles and had his own working quartet for five years. John moved to New York in 1984, where he lived for thirteen years. In 2002, John moved to Los Angeles, where he lived for fifteen years. John has worked with numerous celebrated jazz artists, including Ruby Braff, Buddy DeFranco, Stan Getz, Terry Gibbs, Eddie Harris, Milt Jackson, Eddie Jefferson, Dave Liebman, Johnny Mandel, Charles McPherson, James Moody, Clark Terry and Mel Tormé.

Campbell has recorded as a soloist on Live at Maybeck Recital Hall, Vol. 29 as well as in trio settings, such as After Hours, Workin’ Out and Turning Point, the latter with Clark Terry.

“The confident, polished jazz piano playing of John Campbell . . . suggests that he is an experienced, well-established musician. . . One hears sources in his playing that range from Earl Hines's rolling drive to a light but positive manner that suggests a rather forceful Bill Evans. In the background are occasional suggestions of a pianist he calls 'one of my all-time heroes' - Erroll Garner. His identity . . . comes from the thoughtful skill with which he builds on these sources. . .” John S. Wilson (New York Times – January 9, 1988)