Chicago

What's in a name?

Originally called Chicago Transit Authority, the band released their first self-titled album in 1969. Shortly after, the real CTA threatened to take them to court over the name, and Chicago was born. Later, the band almost sued the CTA for using the song Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? to advertise their bus services without prior permission!

Chicago is a big time band

Over the years, the band released more than a few songs alluding to the concept of time. Their single 25 or 6 to 4 is about writing a song in the middle of the night, and the song's title is the time at which the song is set: 3:35 or 3:34AM, or ‘twenty-five or [twenty]-six to four.’ Fans have many different theories about what the lyrics mean — everything from a quantity of illicit drugs to the name of a famous person in code — but lyricist Robert Lamm rejects all theories that it means anything deeper.

Hard times for hard rock

Chicago owned the 70s, but they entered the 80s hanging by a thread. Band members struggled with substance abuse, lead guitarist Terry Kath had passed away, they were dropped by their label, and lead vocalist and bassist Peter Cetera was on his way out. Led by a new label, new producers, and new musicians, the band started exploring a new sound. With less of the classic ‘horn rock’, they became known for lush power ballads like You’re the Inspiration. A big part of the shift in their sound happened when they began working with Canadian producer David Foster, a household name for many Calgarians, since he wrote the theme for the 1988 Winter Olympics, Can’t You Feel It?

The band plays on

One of the longest-running music groups of all time with almost 30 band members over the years, Chicago defined the ‘horn rock’ genre and combined rock and roll with musical genres from classical music and jazz to R&B and pop music, and even tackled spoken word. The band still tours today, and just released its 26th studio album in 2022 — Born for This Moment

Brass Transit Band

Brass Transit was formed in 2008 and brought together eight of the most talented and accomplished awardwinning musicians. Their sole purpose was to pay tribute to one of the world’s greatest and most successful pop/rock groups of all time, Chicago. Since then, the group has toured North America, dazzling audiences with their flawless performances and spectacular attention to every detail of the Chicago songbook. Hits like: Saturday in the Park, 25 or 6 to 4, If You Leave Me Now, and You’re the Inspiration have left crowds in awe and on their feet more than once during a show, evoking comments like “Spine-Tingling,” “Brought me back to my youth,” and “Perfect in every detail.” Brass Transit goes far beyond just imitating the songs; they embody the music. They recently produced their first CD taking top hits from the 70s and recording them with horns in the Chicago style. The result is a fresh approach to some of the greatest hits of that era. They have also recently scored their show for full symphony with luscious orchestral arrangements that are truly spellbinding. Brass Transit will bring you back to the most memorable times of your life.

2023/2024 Concert Season

DISCOVER World-Class Chamber Music

MASTERS SERIES

Israeli Chamber Project

Gryphon Trio—

30th Anniversary Tour

Danish String Quartet

Accademia de’ Dissonanti & Elinor Frey, cello

Doric String Quartet

HORIZONS SERIES

A Day with Suzanne –a tribute to Leonard Cohen

Ensemble Phoenix Munich

Strings Voyage

Eunice Kim, violin & Xavier Foley, bass

Banff International String Quartet Competition Winner: Isidore String Quartet

Art. Right here on your doorstep. See what’s on: