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Back in high school, in the '80s, DJ Boy Alberto jerry-rigged a couple of portable CD players for his DJ setup. He played industrial artists like Ministry and new wave bands like New Order.

The 5th annual Hyde Park Jazz Festival will take place over the weekend. Among the many performers are two instrumentalists and composers – Diane Ellis and Tomeka Reid. Ellis’ saxophone and Reid’s cello are miles apart musically but the two share a passion for their craft.

The Hideout’s indelible aura comes from its owners, patrons and the many musicians who have taken its stage. For those who missed the magical moments--there's hope! Thankfully, many photographers captured some of the small moments that made the venue so special.On Friday, Sept.

The Hideout may hide in the midst of an industrial park, but it's teeming with Chicago music history. On Saturday, Sept. 24, the music venue and bar celebrates its 15th anniversary under its current owners. Once again they’ll be holding their popular Block Party.

On this edition of Global Notes, Jerome and Radio M host Tony Sarabia explore Cambodia's rich musical heritage.

On Friday, Sept. 16 the Chicago blues scene lost another elder statesman. Eight Forty-Eight's Jason Marck offered this remembrance of Willie “Big Eyes” Smith.In the last 12 months, Chicago blues fans said goodbye to Little Smokey Smothers, Pinetop Perkins, Lacy Gibson and Honeyboy Edwards.

Beginning in the early 1920s, the sounds of a typical Saturday night in some Chicago households sounded less like the big city and more like a small town. National Barn Dance premiered on WLS the same week that radio station got underway. The show was a honky-tonk good time.