Orbert Davis and his jazz symphonic orchestra record three of his most celebrated compositions from your favorite CJP performances.
I’m Orbert Davis, the Artistic Director of Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, and I am so excited about this CJP Trilogy Recording Project. To explain exactly why, let me tell you some of my story.
In 2004 I got a call from the Jazz Institute of Chicago, asking me to “think big” for the upcoming Chicago Jazz Festival. Well, you know it didn’t take me long to come up with something!
It had always been my dream to create a musical ensemble that would be 100% classical, 100% jazz – an organization with the rich, full sound of a classical symphony orchestra that could swing like the coolest combo around. The result was the 60-piece Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, an amazing collection of talented, passionate musicians.
Over the years we’ve had some amazing experiences, and performed some amazing music in some amazing venues. But the best part of it has been you, our amazing audience, supporting, challenging and encouraging us every step of the way!
So what is this campaign about? We are recording the music that you told us that you like best, creating a “trilogy” of CD’s, and we’re inviting you to be part of making this happen.
We plan to go into the studio this fall to record “Havana Blue”, “The Chicago RIver”, and “Sketches of Spain (Revisited)”. Just think — once these recordings are produced, you’ll be able to have CJP next to your hearts, and your ears, at all times, and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you helped make it happen.
One of the recordings of the trilogy, “Sketches of Spain (Revisited)” is a new arrangement of Miles Davis’ and Gil Evans’ classic collaboration recorded in 1960. This work is an outstanding example of what’s called Third Stream: a blending of jazz, European classical, and world music elements, and a perfect fit for the CJP. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to perform the original “Sketches of Spain” under the brilliant orchestra leader Bill Russo. Now, as a composer, I was honored to be able to put my personal interpretation on this great jazz opus. I hope you will like it.
