Live jazz · Park Ridge, Illinois

The Scholars

A Park Ridge jazz band of Maine South alumni, playing live jazz for restaurants, weddings, receptions, anniversaries, and private events throughout Chicago and its suburbs.

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A full horn section, ready for your event.

The Scholars are a Park Ridge-based jazz band with saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a rhythm section of piano, bass, and drums. We work with hosts and venues to plan music that fits the setting and the occasion.

From outdoor festival stages to dinner sets and holiday celebrations, the band is available for restaurants, weddings, anniversaries, cocktail hours, receptions, and private events.

Where we play

Festival stages
Restaurants
Weddings
Holiday parties
Private events

Based in Park Ridge, performing throughout Chicago and the suburbs.

The Scholars playing inside a restaurant hung with paper snowflakes: saxophones, trumpets, and trombones, with keyboard, bass, and drums — A restaurant set

Members of The Scholars smiling on a festival stage with saxophones, trumpets, a bass guitar, and trombones — The band on a festival stage

Every section, one sound.

The horns stand out front and the rhythm section plays behind them. Choose a section to see where it stands and what it brings.

The horns · out front

Saxophones

Saxophones carry many of the melodies and blend into the warm, close harmonies big-band writing is known for.

Meet the band

Pick the tunes. We’ll bring the band.

A few of the charts in the band’s current book, from swing and Latin to funk and ballads. Add up to five to your set list and they’ll travel with your booking request.

Browse the full repertoire

Jazz for the occasion.

Wherever you are in Chicago or its suburbs, we plan each performance around the venue, schedule, and atmosphere you have in mind.

Restaurants & Dining

We work with restaurants and venues across Chicago and the suburbs to shape a live jazz set that suits dining service, receptions, and special evenings.

Dinner service · Brunch · Special occasions

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Weddings & Receptions

Live jazz for weddings and receptions throughout the Chicago area: cocktail hours, dinners, and the other moments of your celebration.

Cocktail hours · Receptions · Dinner

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Private Events & Anniversaries

Live music for anniversaries, private parties, and personal celebrations, from Park Ridge to the rest of Chicagoland. Tell us about your gathering and the atmosphere you have in mind.

Anniversaries · Private parties · Receptions

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On stage.

Restaurant dining rooms, outdoor markets, neighborhood streets, and holiday celebrations around Chicago. See all photos

Trumpets and saxophones of The Scholars performing in a restaurant, with keyboard, bass, and drums behind them — Horns in the dining room

The Scholars playing under a blue canopy at an outdoor market, with a Scholars tip jar in front of the band — At an outdoor market

The Scholars performing on a tree-lined residential street, with saxophones, trumpet, trombones, drums, and keyboard — A neighborhood street set

The Scholars on stage at a holiday event with Santa waving in front of the band — Holiday celebration

Our roots · Park Ridge, Illinois

From Maine South to the Chicago music scene.

Born out of a shared passion for music and a common connection to Maine South High School in Park Ridge, Illinois, The Scholars are a jazz band made up entirely of Maine South alumni.

United by those shared roots and a love of live music, the members bring their talents together to create memorable performances, from intimate gatherings and restaurant sets to weddings, receptions, and private celebrations throughout Chicago and its suburbs.

All members of The Scholars are Maine South High School alumni. The Scholars are an independent band and are not affiliated with, sponsored by, or officially endorsed by Maine South High School.

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