Ravinia Jazz Scholars Play Showcase On March 6

The result of one of Ravinia’s earliest and highest-regarded education programs will be on display next month when the Ravinia Jazz Scholars perform at Chicago’s internationally renowned Jazz Showcase. Each year the best jazz musicians enrolled as juniors or seniors in Chicago Public Schools are handpicked to join the Jazz Scholars. They learn to play as a tight ensemble through hands-on training with such Chicago jazz titans as Willie Pickens and Ramsey Lewis and earn real gigs. The Jazz Scholars will open for the Bobby Lewis Quintet (featuring Ravinia Jazz Mentor Pat Mallinger on sax) at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 6, at the Jazz Showcase. Their portion of the performance is free.