Of the 25 must-see winter events selected by the Chicago Tribune are concerts that will be led by Jazz Mentors Pharez Whitted and Bobby Broom, with a third Jazz Mentor, Dennis Carroll, playing in Pharez’s band. The Jazz Mentors are the group of headlining Chicago jazz musicians who work with the high school students in Ravinia’s Jazz Scholars training program.
The larger-than-life trumpeter Whitted celebrates the release of his newest recording, For the People, which features a stellar lineup: guitarist Bobby Broom, saxophonist Eddie Bayard, pianist Ron Perrillo, bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer Greg Artry at 8 and 10 p.m. Jan. 17 through 19 and at 4, 8 and 10 p.m. Jan. 20. Then the inventive Chicago guitarist Broom, who tours the world with tenor saxophone colossus Sonny Rollins, returns to lead his own band at 8 and 10 p.m. Jan. 24 through 26 and 4, 8 and 10 p.m. Jan. 27. All performances are at the Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Ct.; $20; 312-360-0234 or jazzshowcase.com