In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a group of popular DJs from Chicago’s south side — Wayne Williams, Jesse Saunders, Alan King, Tony Hatchett and Andre Hatchett — played their unique brand of soulful dance music to huge crowds in packed basements, high school cafeterias and legendary nightspots. Along with a handful of other legendary DJs including Frankie Knuckles at the Warehouse, Ron Hardy at the Music Box and Lil’ Louis on the west side of Chicago, the Chosen Few were the DJs primarily responsible during this period for popularizing the underground dance music that came to be known as house music.
The Chosen Few was originally founded as the “Chosen Few Disco Corp.” by DJ Wayne Williams in 1977. In 2006, the group added its first new member in nearly 30 years, legendary DJ and producer Terry Hunter, and in 2012 welcomed DJ and producer Mike Dunn into the ranks.
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According to their website, 1990 was the year the Chosen Few DJs and their longtime friend Kim Parham had the idea of inviting old friends from the early house music days to a “reunion picnic” in the park. Beginning as a small gathering of family and friends and later dubbed the “old school picnic,” the reunion became an annual event. Now 25 years later, the “Chosen Few Old School Reunion Picnic” has grown into one of the largest and most highly anticipated music festival events in the world. The event now features world renowned guest DJs, live performances and, of course, the legendary Chosen Few DJs.
“It’s like the best feel-good family reunion you’ve felt” – Dana H.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re a hip-hop head, into alternative music or an old school house head. People here, for one day are all under the love music vibe. Young and old, big or small, we are partying under one groove here” – Damen T.
“There’s nothing but good vibes throughout the whole festival” – Darryl C.
“It’s like friends and neighbors become family. I’m telling you, people are just so glad to see you in the place, no matter if you saw them last week or 10 years ago, it’s all love” – Patrice P.
For more about the Chosen Few DJ’s and the Chicago Old School House Music Picnic, click here.
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