In the Twenties, Chicago’s South Side "bright-light" district "The Stroll" was the heart of the jazz scene. Peppered with nightclubs, pool halls, tattoo parlors, and vaudeville houses, it was home to the city’s 100,000 African Americans. During the day, the city was segregated, but at night differences between black and white became somewhat blurred. Chicago nightlife knew no boundaries, and the sound of jazz seemed to seep up out of the sidewalks.

November's new CD recommendations: Snow Road, Pieces of Old Sky, Psychedelic Blues, Detroit

This year marks From the Top's tenth anniversary in public broadcasting; in celebration, the show is catching up with interesting alumni from past seasons. Emerging jazz/folk artist Stephanie Nilles is this week's alumni profile.