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Thursday, July 31, 2014 NRG Ensemble (Ken Vandermark, Mars Williams, Brian Sandstrom, Kent Kessler, Steve Hunt)The Hal Russell Story A drummer, saxophonist, trumpeter and bandleader, Russell was one of the most colorful, flexible and fiery jazz musicians to ever work in Chicago. His long-running NRG Ensemble was formed in 1980 and became a major influence on the free jazz and improvised music scene of the 90s. The original lineup—reedist Mars Williams; bassist, guitarist, and trumpeter Brian Sandstrom; bassist Kent Kessler; and drummer Steve Hunt, along with reedist Ken Vandermark (who often subbed in the band) and cellist/trumpeter Fred Lonberg-Holm—reunites to play the last album they made with Russell: The Hal Russell Story (ECM, 1992), an autobiographical exploration of the leader's life in music. Academy Award-Nominated actor Michael Shannon will perform the original texts delivered by Russell on the album for this one-time event. http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/millennium_park3.html We will be there.