The Jazz Arts Group and the King Arts Complex will host a fast-paced, high-energy jazz concert when they welcome Von Freeman and Brad Goode tonight and tomorrow. The concert, dubbed “The Chicago Jazz Connection” will highlight the rich and storied past of Chicago and jazz music.

“Chicago is obviously one of the epicenters of jazz in the United States,” said Jennifer Miller, performing arts director at the King Arts Complex. “The music that will be played will be upbeat blues and jazz that came out of that area. Brad Goode plays frequently in Chicago and is from that area, and Von Freeman is saxophone royalty around Chicago. So we called the event the Chicago Jazz Connection for two reasons – it’s where the artists are from and the selections.”

The King Arts Complex has hosted many of the great performers in jazz, and Freeman and Goode are no exception. Both performers have had illustrious careers, and have shared the stage with some of the legends of jazz. Freeman, who began playing at age 12, has performed with Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Sun Ra, Roland Kirk and Roy Elderidge, in addition to being a founding father of the Chicago school for jazz tenor saxophonists. Goode boasts an equally impressive resume, having performed with the Woody Herman Orchestra, Ira Sullivan, Ernie Krivda, and Jack DeJohnette.

“We’re getting the best on the national scene and the best on the local scene,” Miller said.

The Kings Arts Complex has previously hosted David “Fathead” Newman, Jimmy Heath, Hank Marr, Tony Monaco, and Mark Flugge.

“Our mission is basically to preserve and celebrate African-American culture through creative expression,” Miller said. “We’ve had six concerts this year, and we went on different themes or artists for each one. We did vintage Ellington during Black History Month, we honored Hank Marr in one called “Grease, Grits, and Gravy”, and I think we just decided that a Chicago jazz theme would be very popular and would be a good way to round out the season of six shows.”

The “Chicago Jazz Connection” will play at 8 p.m. tonight and tomorrow. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $10 for students, and are available at the King Arts Complex box office.

– Scott Creighton