The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Jazz Institute of Chicago proudly present the popular Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz series featuring Chicago’s leading jazz artists.
The series of six concerts highlights a range of styles – from Eastern Indian beats to Western BeBop classics – all performed by musicians with strong Chicago connections.
The series kicks off tonight with a tribute to American Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama on Thursday, July 30 at 6:30pm. While each of the following 5 concerts are internationally inspired, they all have true Chicago stamp.
Every Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz concert kicks off with a short set by young, aspiring musicians from Chicago-area high schools as part of the Jazz Institute of Chicago’s Jazz Links Student Ensembles. For more information about the series, call 312-742-1168 or visit millenniumpark.org.
Made in Chicago: World Class Jazz is supported by the Chicago Jazz Partnership: The Boeing Company Charitable Trust, Kraft Foods, The Chicago Community Trust, and The Joyce Foundation. United Airlines is the Official Airline and The Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park is the Official Hotel for Made in Chicago.
Concert Schedule
Tonight! Thursday, July 30, 6:30 pm
Echoes of Dreams and Inspiration:
Chicago Improvisers Orchestra Presents Lincolniana and Sounds of Hope Suite
Celebrating the convergence of two historic moments rooted in the art of democracy, composers Elbio Barilari and Kahil El’ Zabar present a tribute to Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Barack Obama, featuring the Chicago Improvisers Orchestra with special guests Orbert Davis, Maggie Brown, Henry Godinez and more.
Thursday, August 6, 6:30 pm
Rudresh Mahanthappa’s Chicago Legacy Ensemble featuring Bunky Green
Mahanthappa has been heralded as one of jazz’s fastest rising stars. In exploring his Indian roots, he has managed to bring to the fore music that emanates from his past. For much of recent history, Bunky Green’s music has been reserved for his students, so the thrilling prospect of having him perform on the second night of the series is only heightened by the anticipation of the collaboration with Mahanthappa.
Thursday, August 13, 6:30 pm
WORLD PREMIERE
Sketches of Brazil: Robert Irving III’s Tribute to Miles Davis and Gil Evans
Composer, pianist and educator Robert Irving III conducts the newly formed Sonic Portraits Orchestra in the world premiere of Sketches of Brazil. The piece is an orchestral homage to his mentors, Miles Davis and Gil Evans, on the 50th anniversary of the recording of the pair’s classic, Sketches of Spain. Having been a close friend and band member with Miles Davis for over a decade, Irving holds the rare position of playing a Davis classic from an insider’s perspective. The concert features Robert Irving III (composer, conductor, piano); Sonic Portraits Orchestra (a blend of 33 classical and jazz musicians); Wallace Roney (trumpet, flugelhorn); Fareed Haque (guitar), Dede Sampaio (percussion), Felipe Fraga (percussion), Charles Heath (percussion) and Miles Evans (trumpet).
Thursday, August 20, 6:30 pm
Celebrating a Jazz Hero: Fred Anderson’s 80th Birthday with the Great Black Music Ensemble
Prominent members of the Great Black Music Ensemble honor an important father of Chicago’s creative music scene with original arrangements of Fred Anderson’s compositions. At 80 years old, Anderson has been at the forefront of the saxophone community for over 30 years, acted as a mentor to several successful jazz artists, and has been credited with numerous achievements including helping to found the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM).
Thursday, August 27, 6:30 pm
Chicago Piano Showcase: Willie Pickens and Ron Perrillo
This display of dueling pianos reveals the full spectrum of the modern piano tradition. At one end, Willie Pickens’ (pictured left) strong hands show why they were an irresistible inspiration to one of the world’s greatest drummers, Elvin Jones. In contrast to Pickens’ emphatic style and complex melodies are the lighter, more modern tones adopted by Ron Perrillo. His approach pulls from popular music and demonstrates the movement forward into a new era of jazz.
Thursday, September 3, 6:30 pm
Benny Goodman Celebration with Jon Faddis and Columbia College’s Chicago Jazz
In a tribute that will have your toes tapping, The Chicago Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Jon Faddis, premieres a new piece composed and conducted by special guest Victor Goines honoring the man who put the swing in that thing—Chicago jazz legend Benny Goodman. To commemorate the centennial of Chicago’s own “King of Swing,” The Chicago Jazz Ensemble performs both classic and contemporary arrangements of Goodman’s music. This evening’s program features special guest NEA Jazz Master Buddy DeFranco – the “Father of BeBop Clarinet.”
MEDIA CONTACT:
Kennon Brown, 312-744-8948
Kennon.Brown@cityofchicago.org