Polish jazz singer Grazyna Auguscik celebrated the bicentennial of Frederic Chopin’s birth by recreating his sounds in Millennium Park on July 25. With the help of other performers, Auguscik blended together her jazz voice with Chopin’s classical sounds. In anticipation of the concert, Howard Reich of the Chicago Tribune wondered,”How can a distinctly American idiom, so deeply rooted in swing rhythm, find common ground with classical piano music of Poland?”

Yet it worked. Relaxed onlookers were impressed by the ease with which she completed the transformation, and they relished in the decidedly Polish tradition of honoring Chopin.

We have preserved these audio snapshots as a way to welcome immigrants and visitors to one of Chicago’s more unheralded treasures: A shared summer in the city.

Enjoy the slideshow that captures some of the sights and sounds of the concert and then click on the photos below to hear “snapshots” of concert-goers with rich stories about their immigrant backgrounds and experiences. We hope you enjoy exploring the Summer Snapshots as much as we did. Please share your stories with us as well.

Audio Snapshots