Tonight I went to the Green Mill in Chicago, one of the great untouched live music bars in America. It still feels just like it did back in the 1930s or 1940s, the ambience is perfect, and they still have live jazz there every night of the week. Al Capone used to go here back in the day, but even if there no celebrity gangster affiliation, this place would still be one of the greatest bars in the country. Despite a recent sale of the business, the new owners are longtime bartenders who want to keep the place just like it always has been.
I went down to the mill to check out Joel Paterson playing, except Joel wasn’t there! He was subbed out by Andy Brown, another phenomenal Chicago jazz guitarist. I learned the reason that Joel wasn’t there, and I expect it will be all over the internet tomorrow, as it’s a very big deal. No reason for me to be the guy who breaks the news. You’ll hear all about it soon.
I did get to hear Alex Hall playing some of the best jazz drums you’ll ever hear, and two of the best Hammond B3 players in the world, no exaggeration: Ben Paterson, who was in the band tonight, absolutely killing it, and Chris Foreman, who sat in with the band for a couple songs. I can truthfully say that those two guys are two of the best that have ever played the instrument, what a treat to hear them both playing tonight. Natalie Scharf was the bandleader, playing saxophone, and as I mentioned earlier, Andy Brown was playing some incredible jazz guitar. It was also nice to hang out and catch up with my old friend Nicolle Wood, a fixture on the scene since I started coming to Chicago. Incredible musicians, and great music! And just to be in the historic Green Mill again, what a treat.
See more photos and videos at Deke’s original Facebook post!
