Live at the Hungry Brain: Chicago Jazz in Performance
This exhibit explores the vibrant culture of live jazz in Chicago through the lens of the Hungry Brain — a bar, venue, and creative incubator that’s hosted some of the most adventurous improvisers in the city since the early 2000s. From posters to portraits to full-length video recordings, this exhibit captures the energy, experimentation, and community of a scene in constant motion.
Chicago Jazz String Summit – 10th Anniversary Poster (May 19, 2024, Hungry Brain)
A poster promoting the 10th edition of the Chicago Jazz String Summit, highlighting Hungry Brain's ongoing role as a home for experimental chamber-jazz hybrids.
Mike Reed on Stage at the Hungry Brain (2023 portrait)
Drummer, composer, and Hungry Brain co-owner Mike Reed performs during a midweek residency set. Reed’s leadership has shaped the venue into a cornerstone of the Chicago jazz community.
Wednesday Night Fellowship, Poster – Hosted by Ted Sirota (Nov 20, 2019)
This poster documents Ted Sirota’s “Fellowship” series—weekly gatherings mixing groove, politics, and improvised energy in a laid-back, people-centered space.
Luke Stewart / Josh Berman / Mike Reed / A.R. – Hungry Brain Poster (June 8, 2019)
A snapshot of Chicago’s intergenerational creative scene—combining veteran leaders like Reed and Berman with rising experimentalists like Luke Stewart.
Gerrit Hatcher, Lia Kohl, Sam Wagster Poster (August 4, 2018)
This trio show typifies Hungry Brain’s commitment to free improvisation and local collaboration. Poster designs like this one reflect the venue’s handmade, lo-fi aesthetic.
Live Performance at the Hungry Brain Stage
Captured from the audience perspective, this photo conveys the intimacy and casual warmth of live sets at the Brain—where bar chatter and sonic exploration coexist.
Hungry Brain Exterior (Night, circa 2016)
A moody street view of the Belmont Ave. entrance, emphasizing the venue’s low-key presence and underground charm.
The Hungry Brain Interior (circa 2010)
A wide shot of the interior—dimly lit, full of mismatched chairs and oddball ephemera—evokes the playful, DIY spirit that defines the space.
Edition Redux @ Hungry Brain – October 10, 2024
Captured live during the group’s month-long residency, this performance features Ken Vandermark, Beth McDonald, Erez Dessel, and Lily Glick Finnegan. The 94-minute set blends improvisation and composition in one of Chicago’s most vital creative music spaces.
Reflections on Preservation
Spaces like the Hungry Brain aren’t just music venues—they're cultural memory sites. As jazz continues to evolve, capturing these performances and the community around them ensures that Chicago’s creative legacy isn’t lost. This exhibit honors not only the artists, but the people and places that keep this music alive night after night.