The Ravinia Jazz Mentors are eight of Chicago’s finest jazz artists, working with Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play to not only give school performances and master classes but actively train an auditioned group of top Chicago Public High School student musicians in skills for future professional studies and music careers. The ensemble (and the Jazz Mentor Program) is led by saxophonist Pat Mallinger, who for nearly three decades led regular late-night sets at the Green Mill, and joined on winds by 2016 Chicagoan of the Year trumpeter Pharez Whitted and former longtime Chicago Jazz Ensemble lead trombonist Audrey Morrison. The rhythm section includes Ernie Adams, who has drummed with a who’s-who ranging from Al Jarreau and Dianne Reeves to Joe Zawinul and Arturo Sandoval, and twice Grammy-nominated Latin percussionist Eric Hines, plus Chicago Jazz Orchestra bassist Dennis Carroll; pianist Richard Johnson, who has been a member of two Marsalis ensembles and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra; and guitarist Bobby Broom, who co-led the Deep Blue Organ Trio and currently fronts a namesake trio and Organi-Sation.
