Four alumni of Ravinia’s Jazz Mentor Program—known as Jazz Scholars when they were young musicians in the program—made their way to the Green Mill Jazz Club stage for much-anticipated performances that had lines out the door.
Jahari Stampley and Marquis Hill
Kevin King and Jeremiah Collier
The two nights of performances were led by trumpet player Marquis Hill (2003–6), tenor saxophonist Kevin King (2013–16), pianist Jahari Stampley (2017), bass player Micah Collier, drummer Jeremiah Collier (2017). Ravinia Jazz Mentor and saxophonist Pat Mallinger also joined the band on the second night.
Saxophonist Kevin King with Ravinia’s Director of Reach Teach Play, Christine Taylor Conda
“It was tremendous. I’m so proud of their style and their real stage presence,” said Christine Taylor Conda, the director of Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play initiatives like the Jazz Mentor Program.
And the Green Mill isn’t just any jazz club—it has attracted popular jazz acts for more than 100 years, including Billie Holiday, Al Jolson, cabaret icons, and more. Today, the Green Mill continues to host performers ranging from jazz quartets to swing orchestras and even Poetry Slam nights.
Hill is no stranger to the Green Mill. The trumpeter performs there quite often and is known to connect and play with Jazz Scholars alumni he has worked with in the past as well as local jazz artists. Taylor Conda witnesses the bandleader in him and saw it on stage the night she attended when Hill invited local jazz artists to perform with the band halfway through the set.
“He is lifting everybody up by bringing these other folk into the frame,” Taylor Conda said. “I had a great sense of pride.”
About the Jazz Mentor Program
Founded in 1995, the Jazz Mentor Program inspires, encourages, and trains talented high school student musicians. A central component of the Jazz Mentor Program is the selection (through audition) of the Ravinia Jazz Scholars, a group of Chicago’s most talented student musicians. The Jazz Scholars receive intensive year-round training by the Jazz Mentors, as well as scholarships and opportunities to perform at Ravinia and throughout the city.