2026 ST. CHARLES
PRESENTED BY
September 10th - 13th
St. Charles Jazz Weekend is a four-day event that showcases and promotes live jazz music at different St. Charles establishments. An array of St. Charles venues will take part in this year’s event featuring over 40 jazz soloists, quintets, and big bands.
Patrons can enjoy jazz music starting mid-day through the evening, with the chance to visit multiple venues. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be live music performances on the 1st Street Plaza, alongside the beautiful Fox River.
Please note: Some Jazz Weekend performances require the purchase of tickets to attend. Please reference the Music Schedule to see which performances require tickets.
2026 Jazz Weekend Sponsors
2026 Jazz Weekend Performers
Abram Collier Nonet
Vocalist and baritone saxophonist Abram Collier is breathing new life into timeless music while bringing a traditional sound to a new, younger audience. Born and raised outside of Rochester, New York, the rising artist moved to Chicago, Illinois in 2021 to pursue his passion and love for jazz and traditional pop music.
In Chicago, Collier is an in-demand arranger, frequently commissioned by local big bands such as the Blueshift Big Band and the Shout Section Big Band, both of which he regularly plays and sings with. Collier also runs his own ensemble, bringing together nine of Chicago's finest musicians to form his nonet. From jazz standards to selections from modern pop music and video game soundtracks, they perform ensemble-exclusive arrangements written by Collier himself. In addition, the group plays Collier's original compositions and songs, traversing folk, traditional & modern pop, and jazz. Heavily influenced by artists such as Frank Sinatra, Harry Connick Jr., and Michael Bublé, Collier strives to keep the tradition of crooning alive with complimentary arrangements written with contemporary ears in mind.
Matt Hines Band
Matt Hines Band is a high-energy blues-rock group known for electrifying performances, soaring guitar work, and dynamic improvisation. Led by Guitar Center Blues Masters champion Matt Hines-personally selected by Joe Bonamassa-the band has shared stages with legends including ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Joe Bonamassa, Zakk Wylde, Ace Frehley, Oteil Burbridge, Devon Allman, Anthony Gomes, and Davey Knowles. With a blend of classic blues influences and modern rock intensity, Matt Hines Band delivers a headline-ready live experience that captivates audiences and leaves a lasting impression, whether on festival stages, theaters, or premier events nationwide.
The Chris White Jazz Trio
Originally from Toronto, Chris White has gained recognition as a leader with the albums Young at Heart and Tributaries. At home in a host of genres and settings, he has made his name as a go-to freelance pianist, arranger and accompanist in the Chicago area. His performance credits include the Chicago Jazz Festival, The Jazz Showcase, The Green Mill, Winter’s Jazz Club, Cliff Bell’s, Catalina Jazz Club, Feinstein’s/54 Below (NYC) and The Jazz Kitchen, among others. Chris is an in-demand educator as well, teaching piano, theory and ensembles at Lake Forest College, North Park University and North Central College. He earned his Master’s in Jazz Studies at Indiana University’s prestigious Jacobs School of Music, studying with the late renowned educator David Baker, and went on to complete his DMA in Jazz Performance at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has studied piano with Barry Harris, Joanne Brackeen and Hal Galper among other greats, and performed with Miguel Zenón, Ira Sullivan, Jamey Aebersold, Oliver Nelson, Jr. and many more.
Frank Catalano
Frank Catalano is a 3-time Grammy-winning, and 11-time Grammy-nominated jazz saxophone player who has been heard by millions of people all over the globe. He has recorded alongside notable artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Destiny's Child, and John Legend. His most recent album, “Tokyo No. 9” was recorded in collaboration with Jimmy Chamberlin, the drummer for the alternative rock band “The Smashing Pumpkins”.
New Vintage Strings
New Vintage Strings is a contemporary string quartet known for its distinctive blend of jazz, classic rock, pop & alternative instrumental covers with a Classical touch. NVS presents the songs you love like you’ve never heard them before - modern takes on timeless classics. Their unique instrumentation (two violins, viola, double bass), blend of diverse genres, and rotation of outstanding musicians sets NVS apart from the traditional string quartet. Classically-trained, experienced orchestral players and music educators, the members of NVS strive to share their passion for music with their community and bring the perfect balance of energy and elegance to any setting.
Tom Linsk
As a pianist, vocalist and composer, Thomas Linsk has established himself as a premier musical artist in the Chicago-area. His unique approach to every song demonstrates how audiences are enthralled by his versatility. Tom has developed and perfected a style of his own, enhancing his performances into a realm of supreme quality. He performs exceptionally in various styles – from standards, jazz, rock, and pop to contemporary music and crowd favorites.
Blueshift Big Band
Founded in 2017 by drummer Joel Baer and guitarist Chris Parsons, the Blueshift Big Band builds upon the rich legacy of Big Band music found in Chicago. Having missed the thrill and energy that could only come from playing in an ensemble of this size, Baer and Parsons put together a book of their favorite charts and called upon friends and fellow musicians who enjoyed the style just as much as they did.
Initially, the bands repertoire included selections from the likes of Count Basie, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Buddy Rich, and the Clayton-Hamilton Big Band - all the greats that Baer and Parsons hold in high reverence. These groups are famously hard-swinging and ubiquitous for unique compositional voices and originality. Performing material from this canon helped lay a solid foundation for the band, providing a clearer vision for where the leaders would want to go next.
The focus of the band quickly changed from a serious reading band to one that concentrated on original music and arrangements. Armed with a number of great writers and arrangers in the band (and an emphasis on commissioning material from Chicago-area writers) the book grew quickly. With a wealth of originals in the book, it didn’t take long for the band to begin to develop their own unique voice and sound. While inspiration for these arrangements may come from Jazz Standards, Blues, and the Great American Songbook, the band has also tapped into a wealth of material a whole generation has been raised on - Video Games.
Popular music has always found a way into the greater Jazz lexicon. From the music of Tin-Pan alley influencing early Jazz, the songs of Broadway being used as compositional vehicles for the Be-Bop Era, or Rock music affecting the sound of Fusion groups of the 70’s, the music found in Video Games have been impressed on many of us who are products of a certain age. Baer and Parsons felt that in the past, there have been “tongue-in-cheek” approaches to how these songs have been presented. With Blueshift’s unique arrangements and approach, the band hopes to present this music in a serious, but still fun way, that acknowledges the largely unsung composers of this genre.
The Blueshift Big Band is just that - A band. Something greater that just a collection of musicians reading notes off of a page, but a group of friends tasked with one goal; making the best music possible. The greatest lesson learned from the best Big Bands in the world is to treat the band like family. If everyone in the band enjoys being with each other and shares a common dedication to the craft, making great music is inevitable. Joel and Chris, along with the rest of the band, hopes that feeling of camaraderie comes through to you, the listener.
Enjoy the music!
Jack Macklin Trio
Jack Macklin is a guitarist, composer, and educator based in Chicago, IL. From a young age, he gravitated toward jazz and improvisation styles. Studying music at DePaul University, he had the opportunity to be mentored by some of the finest Chicago musicians such as Scott Hesse, and Dana Hall. Jack has played alongside many other notable musicians including, Matt Ulery, Greg Ward, John Deitemyer, and many others.
Peter Miletic
The sounds of pianist Peter Miletic are simply timeless. He captivates audiences into a melodic world of sweet melodies that are pleasing to the ear. His versatility and stage presence are moving to the soul, and uplifts the hearts of the listener.
Peter’s dedication to music shines through with each piece he plays as he creates enchanting dancing melodies that will always leave audiences wanting more.
Stan Karcz
Stan Karcz is a heartfelt songwriter blending Country, Southern Rock, Pop, and Blues into a rich musical tapestry. A first-generation American from Chicago, he honed his craft at Sherwood Music Conservatory and the Bloom School of Jazz, drawing inspiration from life’s highs and lows.
Stan has collaborated with notable artists, including Noah Gordon, Jim Peterik, Walker Hayes, and Adam Shoenfeld, among others. His songs have been recorded by Nashville talents like Mark Mackay, Chris Hawkey, and Levi Hart, with performances on platforms like The Huckabee Show.
From playing Lake Tahoe with Jerrod Niemann to releasing EPs like Good Night Chicago (2019) and co-writing tracks for Adam Shoenfeld’s All the Birds Sing (2022), Stan’s music captures universal themes of love, hope, and dreams. Let his songs speak for themselves.
