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About Mike Reed

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Musician

Mike Reed (b. Bielefeld, Germany May 26, 1974) is a musician, composer, bandleader and arts presenter based in Chicago. Over the last two decades he has emerged as a dominant force within Chicago’s diverse artistic community, both through the music he makes and the live events he produces. In addition to leading or co-leading several working bands, all rooted deeply in jazz and improvised music, he’s founding director of the Pitchfork Music Festival, the current programming chair of the Chicago Jazz Festival, and the owner and director of the acclaimed performing arts venue Constellation. He is a devoted cultural advocate committed to providing platforms for artistic expression unhindered by commercial pressures. In 2016 he also became the owner of the Hungry Brain, a cozy neighborhood tavern that’s been a fulcrum for live creative music and socially-driven public programs.

Album

Chicago Tapes

By Angelika Niescier

Label: Intakt Records
Released: 2026
Track listing: Rejoice, Disrupt, Resist; Poranek; SAMO (bsqt); Ext. 17; Great Horned Owl; Fluxed; Bouncin' the Ledge; Perigeo; E Randolph Street.

Article: Radio & Podcasts

Music for Election Night Returns

by Jon Greenbaum
November 8, 2026

Amidst rumors of looming ICE raids on polling stations, the actual deployment of intimidating DOJ monitors in Georgia, legal threats to polling workers from DOJ and Homeland Security, and expectations that polling data would be confiscated around the country, we took to the air to play jazz as a national political realignment reshaped the possibilities for ...

Article: Album Review

Rempis / Abrams / Ra + Baker: The Walls Of The Temple Are Made Of Sound

Read "The Walls Of The Temple Are Made Of Sound" reviewed by Mark Corroto

by Mark Corroto
October 30, 2026

Both Chicago architecture and Chicago jazz inspire images of beefy, mammoth structures. The city's skyscrapers, bridges and industrial-strength rhythms seem built to withstand even the harshest winter winds, the kind vocalist Lou Rawls dubbed “the hawk." The quartet of saxophonist Dave Rempis, pianist Jim Baker, bassist Joshua Abrams and drummer Avreeayl Ra trades in similarly brawny ...

Article: Live Review

Festival-ing on Historic Grounds

by Josef Woodard
October 9, 2026

Monterey Jazz Festival Monterey, CA September 25-27, 2026 As the legendary Monterey jazz festival leans into its 70th year in 2027, the artistic and commercial mission remains steadfast, while the leadership chair has been in rotation the last few years. After Tim Jackson retired after 32 years of noble and ...

Article: Album Review

Angelika Niescier: Chicago Tapes

Read "Chicago Tapes" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
March 9, 2026

When German alto saxophonist Angelika Niescier first explored Chicago jazz a few years ago--teaming with cellist Tomeka Reid on the striking Beyond Dragons (Intakt, 2023)--the collaboration sparked something unmistakably electric. Now comes Chicago Tapes,, recorded live at Transient Sound Studio. Here, Niescier dives headlong into the improvisational deep end of the city, enlisting an all-star lineup ...

Article: Radio & Podcasts

New Releases From Adewumi, Reid, Norvo, Oná Ensemble, Aldana & More

by Bob Osborne
February 26, 2026

This collection offers a rich exploration of contemporary jazz and improvised music, traversing a landscape of diverse textures and international influences. From cerebral, atmospheric openings and avant-garde energy to vibrant rhythmic inflections, the selection balances intricate composition with spontaneous dialogue. Whether revisiting classic themes through a modern lens or delving into expansive collective improvisations, these tracks ...

Article: Album Review

Angelika Niescier: Chicago Tapes

Read "Chicago Tapes" reviewed by Troy Dostert

by Troy Dostert
February 23, 2026

Continuing to solidify her reputation as a double-threat composer and improviser, alto saxophonist Angelika Niescier shines once again with Chicago Tapes, a superlative effort which sees her uniting with a number of the leading figures in the Windy City scene. The results are consistently riveting, showcasing these musicians in myriad ways and generating infectious synergy throughout. ...

Article: Album Review

Angelika Niescier: Chicago Tapes

Read "Chicago Tapes" reviewed by Mark Corroto

by Mark Corroto
February 10, 2026

German saxophonist Angelika Niescier first connected with her musical compatriots during a visit to the U.S. Midwest in 2012, though it would take more than a decade for that relationship to fully crystallize on record. Even that timeline needs qualification. In 2023, she recorded Beyond Dragons in Chicago with cellist Tomeka Reid and California-born New York ...

Article: Radio & Podcasts

New Music From Lage, Tarentino, Berndt, Saber, Magris And More

by Bob Osborne
February 5, 2026

The breadth of content in the jazz world is captured in this selection of mostly new releases. From traditional post-bop workouts, through interpretations of popular songs, to full on invention and improvisation, this playlist demonstrates the variety of music which might be generally described as jazz but in reality covers a more complex set of variables. ...