The Chicago Bears took another painful loss on Sunday. Not painful in the sense that it was a back-and-forth affair with a tragic ending, but painful as in it was painful to watch.

They were bad if not atrocious at every phase of the game and so far have reinforced the preseason prediction that they’d be among the worst rosters in the NFL.

While Justin Fields had his best game of the season, classifying it as a “good” game would be a gross overstatement. Granted, he didn’t have much of a chance to be any more productive than he actually was as he was under duress all day.

Below are my primary takeaways from the Chicago Bears’ loss to the New York Giants on Sunday and by extension my impressions of them so far this season. Four games in, the Bears are showing us exactly who they are and who they will be this season.

Takeaway One: The youth in the Chicago Bears secondary continues to have growing pains

This really shouldn’t surprise anyone. They have two second-round picks out there, one at a corner and another at safety. I believe both will be solid if not plus starters for a long time (Brisker has already shown signs of this) but for now, they both still have a lot of room to improve.

The problem is, on a team with literally zero bright spots, there will be elevated scrutiny on these two picks as well-regarded wide receivers were on the board when GM Ryan Poles made both these selections.

Takeaway Two: The Chicago Bears have no answers on both the offensive line and at wide receiver

Another takeaway that shouldn’t surprise anyone is that the Chicago Bears have glaring issues at every position on the offensive line and at wide receiver. Typically, teams can beef up one area to compensate for a weakness in the other.

Last year, the Eagles gave Jalen Hurts an amazing offensive line to compensate for a lack of weaponry. Meanwhile, Joe Burrow had a loaded receiver room to compensate for his lackluster offensive line.

The Chicago Bears gave Justin Fields neither and this is the obvious result of that planning (or lack thereof). This is what makes criticism of his answer to Jason Lieser’s question in the post-game presser all the more confusing.

“Who said the pass game isn’t working? The Numbers. “The numbers don’t matter, as long as we win that’s all I care about.” – Justin Fields (in an exchange w/ Jason Lieser in yesterday’s postgame)

Justin Fields knows we all know the issue with the passing game. He’s a young quarterback in a new system with no offensive line and no wide receivers.

Yet, he can’t say that in a press conference following yet another painful loss without throwing all his teammates, his coaching staff, and the new general manager under the bus.

Takeaway Three: The Chicago Bears got what they paid for

For a while this season and much of the summer, the Chicago Bears have hung their heads on what’s to come in 2023.

Their first-round pick, having the rest of their draft picks, and the 100+ million in cap space are the positives for next season according to them. However, I’ve realized that this is their main issue.

The Chicago Bears have 100 million dollars in cap space going into next year.

The Chicago Bears assumed that with good coaching they’d be able to keep Fields safe and develop their team while identifying the best avenues to spend next summer.

Now, four games in, it’s unclear what they can actually evaluate. Can they evaluate their quarterback as he’s constantly under duress without guys getting consistently open? Can they evaluate their wide receivers when they give their quarterback no time to throw?

With some minor investment into the supporting cast, the Bears could have at least put themselves in a spot to properly evaluate their team in this rebuilding season while not compromising the future.

Reports surfaced last week that the Chicago Bears are going to be active in the trade market, so who knows maybe they will actually face the music. However, until then, this Bears team is performing exactly as their payroll would suggest.

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Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky—or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. 

Chicago Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.

Chicago Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky discusses the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty on The Ben Joravsky Show.

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Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky riffs on the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty, and interviews politicians, activists, journalists and other political know-it-alls. Presented by the Chicago Reader, the show is available by 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at chicagoreader.com/joravsky—or wherever you get your podcasts. Don’t miss Oh, What a Week!–the Friday feature in which Ben & producer Dennis (aka, Dr. D.) review the week’s top stories. Also, bonus interviews drop on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays. 

Chicago Reader podcasts are recorded on Shure microphones. Learn more at Shure.com.

Chicago Reader senior writer Ben Joravsky discusses the day’s stories with his celebrated humor, insight, and honesty on The Ben Joravsky Show.

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The Chicago Blackhawks played their Home Away From Home preseason game on Sunday night against the Minnesota Wild at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee Wisconsin. It is always nice to see the National Hockey League do what it can to grow the game.

The home of the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks didn’t save the Hawks well as they were defeated 3-0. It was a packed house but Chicago wasn’t able to prevail over their Central Division rivals.

There were some good plays made by Chicago players throughout the game but their power play failed them (The Wild scored two shorthanded goals) and they couldn’t score a single goal all game long. These are the types of things that are going to happen in the regular season as well.

Following the game, there have been some big roster moves made by the Blackhawks as everyone will now truly get ready for the regular season. For one, Arvid Soderblom is being sent to the AHL now and will begin planning to start with the Rockford Ice Hogs.

Also, Kevin Korchinski and Samuel Savoie are headed back to their junior teams. That means they will play out the entire season there and be back with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2023-24 with legit hopes of making the team. By camp of next year, they should be signed to two-way deals.

The Chicago Blackhawks are very smart with their current young prospects.

This isn’t the most fun news but it is the best news. Soderblom will get some NHL time this year but it is much smarter for the team to use Petr Mrazek and Alex Stalock as their goaltenders as this is clearly a tank year.

Soderblom might be the best goalie in the organization and it is best for him to keep his confidence up on a pretty good Rockford Ice Hogs team.

As for the two juniors, they will go down and dominate with their teams and their development will continue in much happier situations. The Haws would be terrible this year with them or without them so there is no point to put them through that and risk hurting their development.

All three of these guys are extremely important to the organization’s future. They all were also very impressive during training camp and the preseason up to this point.

All three of them can be a part of the future core if they just keep grinding it out now while the team figures things out around them. With the potential for the World Juniors and other big games on their current non-NHL teams, it will be fun to watch their development continue.

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The Hyde Park Jazz Festival defied the pandemic with ingenious safety accommodations in 2020, presenting 18 brief pop-up concerts in parks, pedways, and sidewalks between 40th and 61st Streets, all announced at the last minute to minimize crowding. Last year the festival strived for a return to normalcy and almost got there, booking a slightly diminished lineup and leaving some restrictions and precautions in place. This year the HPJF triumphantly returned to full strength, with 37 concerts and presentations on 13 stages in ten venues. 

As usual, national and international acts shared the bill with the best local talent, and everyone brought their A game or premiered new works—no coasting. The string-centered Hear in Now ensemble’s collaboration with Addis Ababa-based group Qwanqwa was a highlight. Fronted by impassioned singer and dancer Selamnesh Zemene, Qwanqwa brought instruments such as the one-string masinqo and the surprisingly deep-toned, lyre-like bass krar to the south side of Chicago. 

Dutch pianist Oscar Jan Hoogland reminded us of the Amsterdam scene’s distinctive blend of parody, hilarity, and reverence, while shamanic singer Mankwe Ndosi cast a spell over the late-night crowd in the spectacular Logan Center Performance Penthouse. Young singer Samara Joy delivered a rendition of “’Round Midnight” at that precise hour in the vertiginous sanctuary of the Rockefeller Chapel.

Music demonstrated its power to magnetize the masses, attracting throngs of listeners young and old—dancers, students, retired academics, dog walkers, and even passersby who happened to cross Midway Plaisance, where trees and grass abound and parking is, surprisingly, readily available and free. Black- and Brown-owned businesses populated the thoroughfare of concession tents between the West and Wagner Stages—new vendors turn up every year—and folks toted bikes and books and just hung out in the capricious autumn air. 

“Every year I am stunned by the professionalism and skill of the festival team and by the tenacity and passion of the performers,” says festival codirector Kate Dumbleton. “Producing live arts with outdoor stages is hard. Touring and travel are hard . . . several musicians traveled here from Ethiopia at a time when that is not easy! 

“I heard more than a few people tell me they were moved to tears by a performance. To see and hear the scope of creative output, some of it beautiful work created during the dark time of the pandemic, was a source of healing and energy for me. It’s great to be back, and I am grateful for all the support and love the volunteers and the community extend to the festival every year!”

Jive dancers by the Wagner Stage on Sunday, during the Chicago Soul Jazz Collective’s set with Dee Alexander Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderWinds player, percussionist, and instrument maker Douglas R. Ewart, whose ensemble Black Bamboo Fire performed Saturday afternoon at Hyde Park Union Church Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderLewis Achenbach sketching Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderDr. Victoria Titus-Washington is a retired CPS educator and CEO of Power Packed Learning. What’s the tennis racket for? Victoria: “It’s for swatting yellow jackets.” There’s a jazz group called the Yellowjackets, but they’re not here today. Have you been bitten? “Yes, last year about this time. And it made me very uncomfortable.” Who did you come to check out today? “Maggie Brown. And I love Billy Branch.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Conga player Johnny Blas leads his Afro Libre Sextet at the West Stage on Sunday afternoon. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderHyde Park Jazz Festival codirector Samuel J. Lewis and son Noah, 17Great to have Noah here, eh? Samuel: “Yes, we’ve been palling around, done a 14-hour day. Working the press tent, selling T-shirts, covering announcements, planting bus-stop signs, soliciting donations, enjoying a few minutes of Qwanqwa—we haven’t stopped.”Are you a music fan, Noah? Noah: “Used to play a bit of trumpet—I’m a Miles [Davis] fan. It’s my first time at the fest with The Father.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderDJ Sadie Woods, who closed Saturday’s programming on the West Stage You’ve spun at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival before, haven’t you? Sadie: “Yes, Kate [Dumbleton] invited me back again, which is nice.” How did you find jazz? “I studied vocal jazz at Columbia College as an undergrad.” What are you bringing for us tonight? “I’m excited about spinning dance music as an extension and evolution of jazz music’s connection with house, electronica, and hip-hop.” What will be your deadly drop? “Top secret!” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderThe Ida’s Artisan Ice Cream posse, with founder Ida Nelson at center in the pink shirt At $16 a tub, your mojito ice cream is not cheap, but it’s pretty special! Ida: “I taught myself how to make ice cream in July 2020 when I lost my job during the pandemic. Now we have 40 flavors and we’ve provided five scholarships, since we put some of the profit back into the Lawndale community. I’m an advocate for children’s rights, helping them stay true to their authentic selves without prejudice or interference.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Singer Samara Joy (left) performed Saturday night in Rockefeller Chapel in a duo with guitarist Pasquale Grasso (right); they pose here with their manager, Matt Pierson (center). Matt, you’re a legend in the music business, aren’t you? Matt: “Well, I’ve worked with Warners, Blue Note, and Sony Masterworks, but with Pasquale and Samara has been my first time in management.” How was it singing in the Rockefeller Chapel? What was that last solo? Samara: “‘Love Lifted Me’—I just closed my eyes. I wish I could stay longer in Chicago—this is the most beautiful church I ever sang in.” Pasquale: “Being Italian, I’ve played in a lot of places like this.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Lauren Dotson (20), Cameron Drake (20), and Jayda Hart (21) are students at the University of Chicago, where they’re respectively studying creative writing, history and critical race theory, and psychology and theater.You guys don’t look like typical jazz fans! Cameron: “I dig Sammy Davis Jr.” Lauren: “Esperanza Spalding for me.” Jayda: “Samara Joy was phenomenal last night.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderFestival volunteer Mashaune Hardy collects donations. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderKeefe Jackson with These Things Happen at the Logan Center Performance Penthouse Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderMikel Patrick Avery drums with Keefe Jackson’s These Things Happen. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderKeefe Jackson performs with his group These Things Happen at the Logan Center Performance Penthouse on Saturday evening. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderOscar Jan Hoogland plays piano with Keefe Jackson’s These Things Happen. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderAmelia Licavoli, Keefe Jackson, and Oscar Jan HooglandKeefe, your set at the Logan Center penthouse might have been the best of the day—a choice blend of the comedic, playful aspects of [Thelonious] Monk and Misha [Mengelberg] mixed with pause and sobriety. Anything to say about it? Keefe replies, referencing the name of his group and the title of one of the pieces they played: “These Things Happen. ‘You Won’t Even Notice.’”How do the jazz communities in Amsterdam connect? Oscar: “They’re both scenes where if one person visits, the whole town changes. It’s always an immediate pleasure to be here, and Chicago is always moving forward.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderDance king at the West Stage Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderPianist Ryan Cohan and saxophonist John Wojciechowski perform with Cohan’s quartet Saturday afternoon on the Wagner Stage. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderRadio host Linda Hall (right) and friend Mary French It seems like you’re everywhere at once at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival each year. Linda: “That’s because I have an identical sister—we run a jazz radio show together. WHPK 88.5 FM, every other Sunday, two till four—Journey Into Jazz with the twins.” Who’s your favorite jazz performer, Mary? Mary: “Joey DeFrancesco. RIP.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Pianist Lynn Sundfor-McPherson (left) and saxophonist Charles McPherson have been married since 1986. Lynn also works as Charles’s manager.How has it been with Charles for 36 years, Lynn? “A constant, incredible journey—musically, spiritually, socially. Every aspect!” Have you enjoyed playing in Hyde Park, Charles? “I think it is a very well-run festival, and it is the perfect size. It’s big enough to accommodate but small enough to have a kind of intimacy that sometimes is missing with really big festivals where the audience is half a mile away. It’s like old times in that regard.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderGeorge Fludas plays with the Charles McPherson Quintet on the Wagner Stage on Saturday night. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderCharles McPherson and entourage Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderPicolina Zoo, Darren Hacker, Linde Rachel, and Eve LudwigPicolina: “The festival has a totally fun, super-chill vibe and folks. Orbert Davis and Dee Alexander—jazz magic!” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderEve Ludwig (center) dances with her mom, Linde Rachel (left), and Picolina Zoo (right) on Sunday afternoon. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Nadine Smith and trumpeter Orbert Davis, who performed with his sextet on Sunday afternoon at the Wagner Stage Are you two related? You seem happy to see each other. Nadine: “I’ve known Orbert for decades. I’ve performed with him in the past. I teach at Walter Dyett High School for the Arts—I get the best performers to work with my kids!” Orbert: “There’s no place like home, and at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival you’ll not only see familiar faces—sometimes they’ll actually be family.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderDan Bindert, Besflores Nievera Jr., and Paul Abella in the tent for WDCB 90.9 FM What floated your boat? Dan: “Samara [Joy] was beautiful in the cathedral. Emma Dayhuff working it out with Corey Wilkes at Hyde Park Bank!” Besflores: “Mike Allemana’s lecture about the metaphysics of Von Freeman was easily the most moving moment ever.” Paul: “I just got here—I’ve been gigging in a grocery store and watching the Sox lose.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderNaiara Coimbra, a festival fan from Brazil Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Shelly Berry, 58 Who have you enjoyed listening to today? Shelly: “I came for the Chicago Soul Jazz Collective.” Life has thrown you some challenges. “Yes, I recently had three strokes and two TIAs—I just came out of the hospital. I’m glad to be here!” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderJune Sargent, community activist, born and raised in Bronzeville Who are you here to see today? June: “Maggie Brown. Have you seen the movie The Woman King?” What’s it about? “It relates to what women have got to go through to get on top, to overcome. We go through a lot.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

David Komanicki, 71 Are you transcending the music with your bookworming? David: “I’m interested in politics. I’m not trying to show any disrespect, but jazz helps me concentrate. Ask your supervisor at the Reader to bring back John Conroy, who wrote a good book about Northern Ireland [Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life] and used to contribute. Steve Bogira too, who’s discussed issues of poverty and segregation.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderHear in Now and Qwanqwa play a collaborative set called “Weaving Strands of Sound” on Saturday evening at the Logan Center Performance Hall. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderViolinist Kaethe Hostetter and bass krar player Bubu Teklemariam of Qwanqwa Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Kebero player Misale Legesse of Qwanqwa Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Norwood Robinson, 73, born and raised in Englewood Where are you coming from? Norwood: “A funeral, actually. I thought I could use some upbeat music. I’ve already missed Maggie Brown and Douglas Ewart!” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderRapper Marc Leverett (28), manager and singer Jessica Hodge (25), and psychologist and dancer Dee Ewunes (“one thousand Earth years old”) How many times have you attended the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, and who did you come to see? Dee: “Too many times to mention. We came to see Dee [Alexander], that’s my soul sister!” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderDee Alexander (center) and members of Chicago Soul Jazz Collective and the Victor Garcia Sextet Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderTrumpeter Victor Garcia and tenor saxophonist Rocky Yera close the festival with Garcia’s sextet Sunday evening on the Wagner Stage. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderJill Katona and trumpeter Victor Garcia, celebrating their second anniversary shortly before Garcia’s Sunday-evening set What will you feature in your set today, Victor? Victor: “A tribute to timbalero Ralph Irizarry, one of my biggest influences. I transcribed his whole record Best Kept Secret one time. I’ll also pay homage to percussionist and trumpeter Jerry González.” Jill: “Surprisingly, Victor gets a little nervous when he’s performing new work.” How does it feel watching him play? “I usually faint after the first measure.” [Laughter.] Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderBassist Ivan Taylor plays with Clif Wallace + Five on the West Stage on Sunday evening. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Paris Finley, 37, born and raised in Bronzeville and now living in North Kenwood Nice moves! Nice tiara! Paris: “Why have a tiara and not wear it, right?” What have you enjoyed? “Oh my God, Etienne Charles & Creole Soul from yesterday were amazing!” When you’re not dancing, what are you doing? “I’m an ironworker from Local 63.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

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The Hyde Park Jazz Festival defied the pandemic with ingenious safety accommodations in 2020, presenting 18 brief pop-up concerts in parks, pedways, and sidewalks between 40th and 61st Streets, all announced at the last minute to minimize crowding. Last year the festival strived for a return to normalcy and almost got there, booking a slightly diminished lineup and leaving some restrictions and precautions in place. This year the HPJF triumphantly returned to full strength, with 37 concerts and presentations on 13 stages in ten venues. 

As usual, national and international acts shared the bill with the best local talent, and everyone brought their A game or premiered new works—no coasting. The string-centered Hear in Now ensemble’s collaboration with Addis Ababa-based group Qwanqwa was a highlight. Fronted by impassioned singer and dancer Selamnesh Zemene, Qwanqwa brought instruments such as the one-string masinqo and the surprisingly deep-toned, lyre-like bass krar to the south side of Chicago. 

Dutch pianist Oscar Jan Hoogland reminded us of the Amsterdam scene’s distinctive blend of parody, hilarity, and reverence, while shamanic singer Mankwe Ndosi cast a spell over the late-night crowd in the spectacular Logan Center Performance Penthouse. Young singer Samara Joy delivered a rendition of “’Round Midnight” at that precise hour in the vertiginous sanctuary of the Rockefeller Chapel.

Music demonstrated its power to magnetize the masses, attracting throngs of listeners young and old—dancers, students, retired academics, dog walkers, and even passersby who happened to cross Midway Plaisance, where trees and grass abound and parking is, surprisingly, readily available and free. Black- and Brown-owned businesses populated the thoroughfare of concession tents between the West and Wagner Stages—new vendors turn up every year—and folks toted bikes and books and just hung out in the capricious autumn air. 

“Every year I am stunned by the professionalism and skill of the festival team and by the tenacity and passion of the performers,” says festival codirector Kate Dumbleton. “Producing live arts with outdoor stages is hard. Touring and travel are hard . . . several musicians traveled here from Ethiopia at a time when that is not easy! 

“I heard more than a few people tell me they were moved to tears by a performance. To see and hear the scope of creative output, some of it beautiful work created during the dark time of the pandemic, was a source of healing and energy for me. It’s great to be back, and I am grateful for all the support and love the volunteers and the community extend to the festival every year!”

Jive dancers by the Wagner Stage on Sunday, during the Chicago Soul Jazz Collective’s set with Dee Alexander Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderWinds player, percussionist, and instrument maker Douglas R. Ewart, whose ensemble Black Bamboo Fire performed Saturday afternoon at Hyde Park Union Church Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderLewis Achenbach sketching Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderDr. Victoria Titus-Washington is a retired CPS educator and CEO of Power Packed Learning. What’s the tennis racket for? Victoria: “It’s for swatting yellow jackets.” There’s a jazz group called the Yellowjackets, but they’re not here today. Have you been bitten? “Yes, last year about this time. And it made me very uncomfortable.” Who did you come to check out today? “Maggie Brown. And I love Billy Branch.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Conga player Johnny Blas leads his Afro Libre Sextet at the West Stage on Sunday afternoon. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderHyde Park Jazz Festival codirector Samuel J. Lewis and son Noah, 17Great to have Noah here, eh? Samuel: “Yes, we’ve been palling around, done a 14-hour day. Working the press tent, selling T-shirts, covering announcements, planting bus-stop signs, soliciting donations, enjoying a few minutes of Qwanqwa—we haven’t stopped.”Are you a music fan, Noah? Noah: “Used to play a bit of trumpet—I’m a Miles [Davis] fan. It’s my first time at the fest with The Father.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderDJ Sadie Woods, who closed Saturday’s programming on the West Stage You’ve spun at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival before, haven’t you? Sadie: “Yes, Kate [Dumbleton] invited me back again, which is nice.” How did you find jazz? “I studied vocal jazz at Columbia College as an undergrad.” What are you bringing for us tonight? “I’m excited about spinning dance music as an extension and evolution of jazz music’s connection with house, electronica, and hip-hop.” What will be your deadly drop? “Top secret!” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderThe Ida’s Artisan Ice Cream posse, with founder Ida Nelson at center in the pink shirt At $16 a tub, your mojito ice cream is not cheap, but it’s pretty special! Ida: “I taught myself how to make ice cream in July 2020 when I lost my job during the pandemic. Now we have 40 flavors and we’ve provided five scholarships, since we put some of the profit back into the Lawndale community. I’m an advocate for children’s rights, helping them stay true to their authentic selves without prejudice or interference.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Singer Samara Joy (left) performed Saturday night in Rockefeller Chapel in a duo with guitarist Pasquale Grasso (right); they pose here with their manager, Matt Pierson (center). Matt, you’re a legend in the music business, aren’t you? Matt: “Well, I’ve worked with Warners, Blue Note, and Sony Masterworks, but with Pasquale and Samara has been my first time in management.” How was it singing in the Rockefeller Chapel? What was that last solo? Samara: “‘Love Lifted Me’—I just closed my eyes. I wish I could stay longer in Chicago—this is the most beautiful church I ever sang in.” Pasquale: “Being Italian, I’ve played in a lot of places like this.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Lauren Dotson (20), Cameron Drake (20), and Jayda Hart (21) are students at the University of Chicago, where they’re respectively studying creative writing, history and critical race theory, and psychology and theater.You guys don’t look like typical jazz fans! Cameron: “I dig Sammy Davis Jr.” Lauren: “Esperanza Spalding for me.” Jayda: “Samara Joy was phenomenal last night.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderFestival volunteer Mashaune Hardy collects donations. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderKeefe Jackson with These Things Happen at the Logan Center Performance Penthouse Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderMikel Patrick Avery drums with Keefe Jackson’s These Things Happen. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderKeefe Jackson performs with his group These Things Happen at the Logan Center Performance Penthouse on Saturday evening. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderOscar Jan Hoogland plays piano with Keefe Jackson’s These Things Happen. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderAmelia Licavoli, Keefe Jackson, and Oscar Jan HooglandKeefe, your set at the Logan Center penthouse might have been the best of the day—a choice blend of the comedic, playful aspects of [Thelonious] Monk and Misha [Mengelberg] mixed with pause and sobriety. Anything to say about it? Keefe replies, referencing the name of his group and the title of one of the pieces they played: “These Things Happen. ‘You Won’t Even Notice.’”How do the jazz communities in Amsterdam connect? Oscar: “They’re both scenes where if one person visits, the whole town changes. It’s always an immediate pleasure to be here, and Chicago is always moving forward.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderDance king at the West Stage Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderPianist Ryan Cohan and saxophonist John Wojciechowski perform with Cohan’s quartet Saturday afternoon on the Wagner Stage. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderRadio host Linda Hall (right) and friend Mary French It seems like you’re everywhere at once at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival each year. Linda: “That’s because I have an identical sister—we run a jazz radio show together. WHPK 88.5 FM, every other Sunday, two till four—Journey Into Jazz with the twins.” Who’s your favorite jazz performer, Mary? Mary: “Joey DeFrancesco. RIP.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Pianist Lynn Sundfor-McPherson (left) and saxophonist Charles McPherson have been married since 1986. Lynn also works as Charles’s manager.How has it been with Charles for 36 years, Lynn? “A constant, incredible journey—musically, spiritually, socially. Every aspect!” Have you enjoyed playing in Hyde Park, Charles? “I think it is a very well-run festival, and it is the perfect size. It’s big enough to accommodate but small enough to have a kind of intimacy that sometimes is missing with really big festivals where the audience is half a mile away. It’s like old times in that regard.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderGeorge Fludas plays with the Charles McPherson Quintet on the Wagner Stage on Saturday night. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderCharles McPherson and entourage Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderPicolina Zoo, Darren Hacker, Linde Rachel, and Eve LudwigPicolina: “The festival has a totally fun, super-chill vibe and folks. Orbert Davis and Dee Alexander—jazz magic!” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderEve Ludwig (center) dances with her mom, Linde Rachel (left), and Picolina Zoo (right) on Sunday afternoon. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Nadine Smith and trumpeter Orbert Davis, who performed with his sextet on Sunday afternoon at the Wagner Stage Are you two related? You seem happy to see each other. Nadine: “I’ve known Orbert for decades. I’ve performed with him in the past. I teach at Walter Dyett High School for the Arts—I get the best performers to work with my kids!” Orbert: “There’s no place like home, and at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival you’ll not only see familiar faces—sometimes they’ll actually be family.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderDan Bindert, Besflores Nievera Jr., and Paul Abella in the tent for WDCB 90.9 FM What floated your boat? Dan: “Samara [Joy] was beautiful in the cathedral. Emma Dayhuff working it out with Corey Wilkes at Hyde Park Bank!” Besflores: “Mike Allemana’s lecture about the metaphysics of Von Freeman was easily the most moving moment ever.” Paul: “I just got here—I’ve been gigging in a grocery store and watching the Sox lose.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderNaiara Coimbra, a festival fan from Brazil Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Shelly Berry, 58 Who have you enjoyed listening to today? Shelly: “I came for the Chicago Soul Jazz Collective.” Life has thrown you some challenges. “Yes, I recently had three strokes and two TIAs—I just came out of the hospital. I’m glad to be here!” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderJune Sargent, community activist, born and raised in Bronzeville Who are you here to see today? June: “Maggie Brown. Have you seen the movie The Woman King?” What’s it about? “It relates to what women have got to go through to get on top, to overcome. We go through a lot.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

David Komanicki, 71 Are you transcending the music with your bookworming? David: “I’m interested in politics. I’m not trying to show any disrespect, but jazz helps me concentrate. Ask your supervisor at the Reader to bring back John Conroy, who wrote a good book about Northern Ireland [Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life] and used to contribute. Steve Bogira too, who’s discussed issues of poverty and segregation.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderHear in Now and Qwanqwa play a collaborative set called “Weaving Strands of Sound” on Saturday evening at the Logan Center Performance Hall. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderViolinist Kaethe Hostetter and bass krar player Bubu Teklemariam of Qwanqwa Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Kebero player Misale Legesse of Qwanqwa Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Norwood Robinson, 73, born and raised in Englewood Where are you coming from? Norwood: “A funeral, actually. I thought I could use some upbeat music. I’ve already missed Maggie Brown and Douglas Ewart!” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderRapper Marc Leverett (28), manager and singer Jessica Hodge (25), and psychologist and dancer Dee Ewunes (“one thousand Earth years old”) How many times have you attended the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, and who did you come to see? Dee: “Too many times to mention. We came to see Dee [Alexander], that’s my soul sister!” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderDee Alexander (center) and members of Chicago Soul Jazz Collective and the Victor Garcia Sextet Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderTrumpeter Victor Garcia and tenor saxophonist Rocky Yera close the festival with Garcia’s sextet Sunday evening on the Wagner Stage. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderJill Katona and trumpeter Victor Garcia, celebrating their second anniversary shortly before Garcia’s Sunday-evening set What will you feature in your set today, Victor? Victor: “A tribute to timbalero Ralph Irizarry, one of my biggest influences. I transcribed his whole record Best Kept Secret one time. I’ll also pay homage to percussionist and trumpeter Jerry González.” Jill: “Surprisingly, Victor gets a little nervous when he’s performing new work.” How does it feel watching him play? “I usually faint after the first measure.” [Laughter.] Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago ReaderBassist Ivan Taylor plays with Clif Wallace + Five on the West Stage on Sunday evening. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Paris Finley, 37, born and raised in Bronzeville and now living in North Kenwood Nice moves! Nice tiara! Paris: “Why have a tiara and not wear it, right?” What have you enjoyed? “Oh my God, Etienne Charles & Creole Soul from yesterday were amazing!” When you’re not dancing, what are you doing? “I’m an ironworker from Local 63.” Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

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Which NBA players are on the verge of a breakout season?

Last year, it was third-year point guard Ja Morant, who increased his scoring to average to 27.4 points per game from 19.1 during his sophomore season and led the upstart Memphis Grizzlies to the league’s second-best record.

Morant set the breakout bar pretty high, but there are plenty of young candidates throughout the league who are ready for the leap.

Could second-year players, such as Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green and Josh Giddey, build off impressive rookie campaigns to take the next step? What about Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, who enters the 2022-23 season as their No. 1 option after a midseason trade from the Sacramento Kings?

And could EuroBasket 2022 standout Franz Wagner become a star next to Orlando Magic rookie Paolo Banchero?

Our NBA Insiders are making their picks for which breakout players should be on the watch list.

Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Claxton is the only center on the Nets’ roster who was in Steve Nash’s rotation last season. (Second-year big man Day’Ron Sharpe is expected to get a chance for more minutes, and Nash said early in training camp that Markieff Morris will get time at the 5 for the Nets as well.) Aside from Ben Simmons getting some run at center in various situations, it will be Claxton with the largest opportunity to succeed.

The 23-year-old had several solid stretches during the regular season while fighting for minutes alongside veterans Blake Griffin, LaMarcus Aldridge and Andre Drummond, but his most important stretch was during the playoffs. In four games against the Boston Celtics in the opening round, Nash went mostly with Claxton — who responded with an average of 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 24.5 minutes per game. Claxton’s biggest flaw: He went 4-for-22 from the free throw line during the series. Claxton said last week that he has reworked his shooting form over the summer, but his confidence at the line could help determine whether he’ll be on the court in clutch-time minutes.

— Nick Friedell

Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images

The Pistons are excited about their complement of young players, but their optimism begins with their second-year point guard, whose progression each year will be the key to whether they can pull off a successful rebuild. Cunningham, who turned 21 last week, split time this summer working out in Detroit and Los Angeles and says he tacked on about 15 pounds of muscle. The extra weight should help both with his durability and his finishing around the basket.

Cunningham still averaged 17-5-5 as a rookie despite a mix of injuries and adjusting to life in the pros. By the second half of 2021-22, the Pistons started to see glimpses of the future star they took with the No. 1 overall pick. Take a look at Cunningham’s performance in March: 22.9 points, 7.0 assists and 5.9 rebounds per game while shooting 48% from the field. If he can continue to improve his outside shooting and limit his turnovers, Cunningham could be ready to make a star turn.

— Jamal Collier

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After receiving praise from Kevin Durant and LeBron James last season, Duarte has the potential to attain “your favorite player’s favorite player” status in the league. With Malcolm Brogdon, the Pacers’ leading scorer from a year ago, joining the Boston Celtics in the offseason, touches should open up for Duarte as a target for point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Duarte — a sinewy 6-foot-5, 190 pounds with a smooth jumper — should certainly be fed more left-corner 3s (43.5% from that spot last season) and cuts to the basket (59.4%) as an ultra-young Indy team builds its identity.

Duarte was money from the very start of his NBA career, exploding for 27 points on 9-for-15 shooting (6-for-9 from 3) in his debut as a 24-year-old rookie. It was a promising sign of things to come, as the Pacers had a 6-7 record when Duarte scored 18 points or more, which is impressive considering the team went just 25-57 overall on the season. While a left toe injury cost him the last 12 games of the season, Duarte told reporters on media day, “I’m doing better,” as he looks ahead to his sophomore season.

— Dave McMenamin

Josh Giddey of Oklahoma City Thunder tries to block Sekou Doumbouya of Detroit Pistons. Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images

During the summer-league matchup between No. 2 overall pick Chet Holmgren and No. 3 overall pick Jabari Smith Jr., it was Giddey who might have impressed the most. Giddey didn’t seem to be playing particularly hard or trying to impress, it just appeared that the game had slowed down for him. This often happens with sophomores who are ready to break out.

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Giddey’s summer league performance, in which he flirted with a triple-double average, continued what we saw from him last season before a hip injury ended his campaign in February. During his last 24 games of 2021-22, he averaged 14.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 1.2 3s and 1.0 steals in 33.3 minutes per game. He notched four triple-doubles during that stretch, including three in his last four games. Giddey seems poised to build on those performances, taking higher usage while letting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander play more off the ball in one of the most exciting young backcourts in the NBA.

— Andr? Snellings

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It’s not exactly going out on a limb to predict a significant leap for Green. The No. 2 overall pick struggled as a teenager when thrown into the deep end before a strong finish to his rookie season. Green was Houston strength and conditioning coach Willie Cruz’s prized pupil. Green added 10 to 12 pounds of muscle to his slender frame, which should help the pure scorer get to his favorite spots and finish in traffic.

Green’s finish last season left Rockets fans salivating, as he averaged an efficient 29.3 points in the last seven games. That included a stretch of five straight 30-point performances, which no rookie had accomplished since Allen Iverson in 1997, according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Green’s 41-point finale was the highest-scoring game by any rookie last season — and by any Rockets rookie since Hakeem Olajuwon in 1984. Green averaged 20.7 points per game with an effective field goal percentage of 56.7 from February through the end of 2021-22.

— Tim MacMahon

Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Haliburton has all the ingredients for a breakout. A talented and versatile third-year guard, he has become the focal point on a rebuilding Pacers team with plenty of opportunity to shine, as three of the top five Pacers in shot attempts per game last season — Caris LeVert, Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis — are on different teams this season. Buddy Hield is the only returning Pacer to average more shot attempts per game (15.6) than Haliburton (12.4).

In his 26 games with Indiana after a trade from the Sacramento Kings in the Sabonis deal, Haliburton increased his scoring and assists average from 14.3 points and 7.4 assists to 17.5 points and 9.6 assists while raising his field goal percentage from 45.7 to 50.2. In his last 10 games of the season, Haliburton collected five double-doubles, averaging 17.5 points and 10.3 assists over that span. During a five-game stretch from March 26 to April 3, Haliburton dished out 56 assists, including 17 dimes against Detroit. He will have plenty of chances to rack up monster nights like that this season.

— Ohm Youngmisuk

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A bigger Murphy — perhaps the less heralded of last season’s Pelicans rookie trio that also included Herbert Jones and Jose Alvarado — is better. Murphy said at the end of last season he weighed 201 pounds. When he reported to New Orleans this fall, he was up to 214. And Murphy said he’s closer to 6-foot-10 now as well (he admitted he’s 6-foot-9 1/2 but, as he put it, who isn’t going to stretch that to 6-foot-10?). Murphy earned a larger role late in 2021-22 and was pivotal during the Pelicans’ playoff push. Don’t be surprised to see Murphy force his way into the Pelicans’ closing lineups sooner rather than later.

Over the final 16 games of the regular season, Murphy averaged 10.1 points while shooting 45.1% from deep. He was huge for the Pelicans in their No. 8-seed clinching play-in victory over the LA Clippers, hitting three of his four 3-pointers in the fourth quarter as New Orleans came from behind to win. With Zion Williamson back, Murphy’s shooting will be even more valuable.

— Andrew Lopez

Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images

Through his first two seasons in Atlanta, Okongwu has shown flashes of what led the Hawks to pick him No. 6 overall in the 2020 draft. And, between the combination of Danilo Gallinari departing this summer, the uncertainty surrounding the future of John Collins and Clint Capela entering his ninth NBA season, the opportunity is there for the 6-foot-8 big man to stake his claim to a far bigger long-term role.

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Okongwu has played just 98 out of a possible 154 games over the course of his first two NBA seasons. But the basketball world saw what he is capable of during Atlanta’s run to the Eastern Conference finals in 2021, including when he was arguably Atlanta’s best option against Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo in that series. Okongwu’s combination of defensive prowess and efficient inside scoring is a recipe for success, and his growth could be the key to Atlanta exceeding expectations in 2021-22.

— Tim Bontemps

Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images

Sengun, 20, has been buzzing in the analytics community since the lead-up to the 2021 draft. As an 18-year-old, he averaged 19.2 points (64.6% shooting, 81.2% at the free throw line), 9.4 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 steals in 28.3 minutes per game to claim MVP of the Turkish Super League. Sengun again flashed those skills in the 2021 summer league, dominating with 15 points and 15 rebounds against Rookie of the Year runner-up Evan Mobley.

Sengun averaged 16.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.6 blocks on a per-36-minute basis during the regular season, but he played only 20.7 minutes per game behind starting Rockets big man Christian Wood. The Rockets traded Wood this offseason, in large part to open up playing time for Sengun, whose productivity has translated to every level of competition thus far.

— Snellings

Franz Wagner has scored at least 20 points in three of the past four games. AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

After a strong rookie campaign that earned the No. 8 overall pick All-Rookie First Team honors, Wagner showcased even more potential during this summer’s EuroBasket tournament, averaging 15.2 points per game on 53% shooting to help host Germany to the bronze medal. Wagner’s broad skill set and feel for the game makes him an ideal complement in the Orlando frontcourt alongside 2022 No. 1 overall pick Paolo Banchero. Banchero and Wagner are the building blocks as the Magic look to develop a team capable of winning a playoff series for the first time since 2010.

In the context of FIBA’s shorter games, Wagner averaging as many PPG as he did during his rookie season was all the more impressive. Wagner put up 20.6 points per 36 minutes, 16% better than his NBA mark. And he did it in part by hitting 46% of his 3s (19-for-41). More consistent 3-point shooting is the next step for Wagner, who hit 35% last season but showed above-average form at the free throw line (86%) — which can be an indicator of future 3-point success.

— Kevin Pelton

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