Paying homage to the history of jazz in Chicago

Chicago jazz artists jammed on the South Side in the Jazz in the Alley sessions of the 1960s and 70s. On June 10, a one-night-only event will pay homage to these jams at The Auditorium Theatre: “Memoirs of Jazz in the Alley.” Isaiah Collier and The Chosen Few will join video artist Rasean Davonte Johnson and the South Chicago Dance Theatre to perform during the multimedia event. Kia Smith is the dance theatre’s founder, and she created Memoirs of Jazz in the Alley. Her father was celebrated saxophonist Jimmy Ellis, a cofounder of Jazz in the Alley. Kia and Isaiah share how their Chicago roots in jazz, performance and community led to this celebration.