Chicago’s Matana Roberts
Chicago is everyone’s kind of town. It has a complex and exciting history, and is one of the great cultural centers in the U.S. Its rich traditions in jazz and live theatre continue here with new generations of artists coming into their own in front of Chicago audiences. It has culture, fantastic attractions, and excellent luxury hotels. Chicago is a bright spot, even on a cloudy day, and there are always a marvelous array of things to see and do here. We’ve selected our hotels based on their consistency in providing the finest in comfort and design, so that you’re in the center of the action, and enjoying a magnificent rejuvenation of the body and soul while you’re enjoying all the sights.
There are so many wonderful things about Chicago, and something for everyone. During that daylight, there are museums and art galleries, coffee shops and shopping, and nearly any kind of pleasant diversion one could imagine. At night, there are excellent clubs playing some of the most sophisticated and sweet music in the world. It’s legendary for a reason. It’s produced some of the best work in musical renaissance in the 20th century, and has a favorite daughter in the 21st century as well. This would be Matana Roberts.
She’s not living here permanently, but passes through every once in awhile. She is absolutely worth looking out for, as her sound comes from the deepest part of her Chicago roots. Her album from 2008, The Chicago Project is a literal testimony to this, and the album has received splendid critical acclaim, as well as popularity among general listeners. She does chaotic spoken word as well as fantastic vocals, but her claim to fame is the reed instrument, both saxophone and clarinet. Her childhood was hiphop, and her father exposed her to all sorts of experimental jazz. This provided the fusion to inspire her to make the work she’s presently committed to, in finding the key to unlock the sweetness within the bitterness, and bring the sweetness out with an angelic musical grace.