Chicago Jazz Philharmonic

09/30/2026

Our celebration of Miles Davis at 100 continues this November.

Davis Plays Davis on Sunday, November 1 at Evanston SPACE
Orbert Davis brings his acclaimed sextet to Space for a high-energy, deeply expressive tribute to Miles Davis. Known for his virtuosic playing and deep understanding of jazz, Orbert Davis will perform a selection of Miles Davis’ iconic music, celebrating the groundbreaking work of one of the most influential musicians in jazz history. This performance promises to capture the essence of Miles Davis’ sound while offering fresh, dynamic takes on his classic works.

Kind of Blue & Sketches of Spain: Revisited on Friday, November 7 at The Beverly Arts Center. Chicago Jazz Philharmonic performs Miles Davis' classic recording, Kind of Blue, and Orbert Davis' critically acclaimed reinterpretation of the 1960 Gil Evans and Miles Davis classic, Sketches of Spain.

Act I features the Orbert Davis Sextet presenting the compositions of Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue in its entirety.

In Act II, Sketches of Spain: Revisited will feature the 19-piece Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble performing Orbert Davis’ reinterpretation of the 1960 Miles Davis and Gil Evans’ classic recording, Sketches of Spain. Sketches of Spain: Revisited will include two additional compositions incorporating traditional African and Middle Eastern instruments and modifying the ensemble orchestration.

To learn more and get tickets visit: https://www.chijazzphil.org/performance

09/30/2026

🎺 Chicago, this is one for the music lovers.✨

What you’re hearing in this video is just a taste of what’s coming to the Beverly Arts Center on Saturday, November 7th.

The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic presents Sketches of Spain: Revisited, Orbert Davis’s bold orchestral reimagining of the iconic Miles Davis & Gil Evans masterpiece. Blending jazz, Spanish musical traditions, Moorish influences, African and Middle Eastern instrumentation, and infectious grooves, this is far more than a tribute. It’s a whole new journey through a legendary work. 🎶

And this stripped-down performance? Imagine it expanded into a full orchestral experience.

📅 Saturday, November 7, 2026
🕢 7:30 PM
📍 Beverly Arts Center
🎟️ Premium Adult: $50 | Members: $45
🎟️ Reserved Adult: $45 | Members: $41

Whether you’re a lifelong jazz fan, a lover of orchestral music, a Miles Davis devotee, or simply looking for something extraordinary to experience live, make this one a night out.

🎟️ Get your tickets and experience Sketches of Spain: Revisited live at the BAC!

09/29/2026

Join us this week for a special book signing at Symphony Center.

Author Howard Reich is joined in conversation by jazz luminaries vocalist Dee Alexander, trumpeter, composer, and educator Orbert Davis, and pianist and MacArthur Fellow Reginald R. Robinson.

In his latest book, The Majesty of Chicago Jazz, Howard Reich gives readers a front-row seat to the history of Chicago jazz as it roared forth in jazz clubs, concert halls, and festivals.

Reich covered Chicago jazz for more than thirty years as the Chicago Tribune’s staff critic, and in this collection, he argues that jazz as an art form is inconceivable without Chicago.

Carefully choosing from among his thousands of articles on jazz, Reich highlights twenty-five of the most important Chicago jazz artists who pushed the art form forward.

Books will be available for purchase.

For more information about the book event and the Freedom Riders Concert that follows, featuring acclaimed vocalist Kurt Elling and Lizz Wright, visit, cso.org/aan

Use code: AANSeason (book event + concert) for tickets that begin at $40.

09/25/2026

THIS SATURDAY // Don’t miss the Orbert Davis Sextet playing this weekend at the Hyde Park Jazz Festival!

📅Saturday, September 26
⌚1:30-2:30pm at Wagner Stage, Midway Plaisance at South Woodlawn Ave

Musicians:
Orbert Davis, trumpet
Kevin King II 👑, saxophone / flute
Leandro Lopez Varady, piano / keyboard
John Moulder, guitars
John Tate , bass
Ernie Adams, drums / percussion

Grab a friend and come be a part of it.

09/23/2026

09/10/2026

Back by popular demand, this season has it all.

🎵 Conversations with jazz’s biggest names
🎵 Miles Davis Centennial tributes
🎵 A weekend of healing honoring Dr. King’s Chicago legacy
🎵 An exploration of Chicago’s history, from Jean Baptiste Point du Sable to Barack Obama, and

Swipe for the line-up. 

Link in bio to learn more.

09/02/2026

Our Saturday Jazz Academy students are cool, composed, and undeniably chic.

Here’s the tea on our jazz + classical education program:

Saturdays from 1-4 pm
September 19, 2026 - May 8, 2027

Location
VanderCook College of Music at Illinois Institute of Technology
3140 S Federal St, Chicago

Tuition
Non-CPS Students: $495
CPS Students: $395
Students from the most recent Jazz Academy programs or JazzAlive Partner School: $295

Register: chijazzphil.org/education/jazz-academy

08/20/2026

It Takes A Village, and ours is strong!

It has been a pleasure to teach and mentor pianist and organist Daniel Johnson, Daniel Johnson, over the years, watching your territory expand!

We celebrate you, one of our best and brightest, as you soar off to life and adventure at The Peabody Institute. Your ability to change the world through music is deeply rooted in your faith, your commitment to academic excellence, and your wont to nurture your God-given musical talent.

Daniel, we look forward to even greater things from you and for you! The world is yours!

THE VILLAGE: Left to right: Foster-Brooks, Jazz Institute of Chicago, Jazz Institute of Chicago; Michael Manson, Michael Manson, and Musical Arts Institute, Musical Arts Institute; Ernest Dawkins, Ernest Khabeer Dawkins and Ernest Khabeer Dawkins; Daniel Johnson; Dr. Roosevelt Griffin, Roosevelt Griffin, NIU Jazz, and Chicago Jazz Philharmonic; and Pharez Whitted, Pharez Whitted and Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras

08/18/2026

Let’s do it again this Friday!

Chicago Park District Night Out in the Parks

Fri, Aug 21 @ 6 pm | Norman’s Bistro on the Lake @ Rainbow Beach

Come as you are and leave your chairs and snacks at home.

🎶 “Ma” composed by Kevin King II 👑

Who’s Playing
Kevin King II 👑, sax & leader
Daniel Ellis Perez, bass
Daniel Johnson, piano
morgani.dagoat, drums
Tommy Haepp, trombone
Mayshell Morris, flute
Gabriel Wade, trumpet