In the presence of genius: Miguel Zenón

Puerto Rican jazz saxophonist Miguel Zenón, at 35 years of age is well on his way to being a living legend – he’s the first jazz musician to receive both McArthur ‘genius’ grant as well as a Guggenheim award, a multiple Grammy nominee and a renowned composer who has explored not just the frontiers of jazz but his own Puerto Rican heritage in exquisitely textured compositions and interpretations. We caught up with Zenón during his recent visit to Chicago to perform in the Chicago Jazz Ensemble tribute to Charlie Parker, just before a concert that totally reinforced our awe of his musical genius.