The Legendary Chicago Six is back together!

The Chicago Six has been swinging away since it began in 1981. During the last 28 years, the band has performed primarily in jazz festivals throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, England, Scotland, Wales, and in South America. The Chicago Six has recorded and produced 25 distinctive albums. Among these, tribute albums were dedicated to the music of Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and jazz composer Dick Cary. The 10^th anniversary album featured film and television star Buddy Ebson, who remained active with the band from 1990 to 1994. A performance highlight came in December of 1999 when the band traveled to Milan, Italy, and was featured during a live television broadcast of ”The Last Swing of the Century.” The program series also included Dave Brubeck’s Quartet, Max Roach with Cecil Taylor, and Wynton Marsallis.

For the first 10 years, the band held a Friday gig at the Belly Up tavern in Solana Beach. The first five years in a row, local residents selected the Chicago Six as the “Best Jazz Band” during an annual poll. The notoriety of the band began to grow, and the band began to travel nationally and internationally. Repeat invitations to festivals, theaters, fairs, theme parks, and public parks kept the band busy during subsequent years. The Chicago Six has also developed musical educational outreach programs for local schools.

The newest edition of the Chicago Six is led by founding drummer John Hall. Now appearing at the Tango Del Rey in Pacific Beach, this new edition boasts several music arrangers and multi-instrumentalists in the lineup. Other members include Dave Murray as music director and trombonist, Rick Evans on trumpet, flute and vocals, Bill Lamden on tenor, clarinet, flute and vocals, Richard Ciavarelli on piano, and Susan Murray on bass.