Jazz, classical, new music in free lunchtime concerts

Take a break with free, professional lunchtime performances at the UIC School of Theatre & Music. Concerts take place from 1 to 1:50 p.m. in Recital Hall L060 on the lower level of the Education, Theatre, Music and Social Work Bldg., 1040 W. Harrison St.

Estrella Consort

Sept. 9
The Estrella Consort

In “A Celebration of Sonorities,” the saxophone quartet plays music by William Albright, Scott Rubin, Matthias Krüger, Iannis Xenakis and Roshanne Etezady.

Sept. 16
Ensemble P/4

The group pairs Bartók’s Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion with “Venus Notorious” by the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana’s Zack Browning, whose music the New York Times described as “propulsive, giddy, rocking… a rush of cyclic riffs and fractured meters.”

Ensemble P/4

Sept. 23
UIC Jazz Faculty

The faculty includes leading Chicago artists, including Ernie Adams on drums, Andy Baker on trombone, Victor Garcia on trumpet, Chris Madsen on saxophone, Stewart Miller on bass, Dan Murphy on piano, and Zvonimir Tot on guitar.

Sept. 30
Chicago Philharmonic Chamber Players

Oct. 7
Vicky Chow

The pianist (Bang on a Can All-Stars, New Music Detroit, Grand Band) explores masters of American minimalism.

Vicky Chow

Oct. 14
UIC Jazz Ensemble

The ensemble recently released their second CD, “Walkin’ About,” and planned their first appearance at the Chicago Jazz Festival.

Oct. 21
Mellits Consort

The consort is dedicated to works by UIC composer Marc Mellits, whose music has been described as hard-edged and rhythmic as well as lyrical and sultry.

Oct. 28
Circle Ensemble

The UIC faculty group performs Rachmaninoff’s Trio Elegiac in G minor and Dvořák’s “Dumky” Trio in E minor, Opus 90.

Marc Mellits

Nov. 4
HardArt Groop

Bassist John Elmquist leads an evolving assembly of musicians in “a rollicking synthesis of contemporary classical, cool noir and freewheeling improvisation” (Time Out Chicago).

Nov. 11
UIC Jazz Combos

Musicians in UIC’s jazz program study intensively with leading Chicago jazz artists. Hear these young performers at work.

Dan Murphy

Nov. 18
Dan Murphy Trio

The pianist leads works from his recent jazz album “Undisclosed Location” and fresh takes on old standards.

Nov. 25
Latitude 49

This dynamic mixed-chamber ensemble is dedicated to exploring new sounds and engaging diverse audiences.

Dec. 3
UIC Chamber Music

UIC music majors will perform solo and chamber works.