Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Celebrates 20th Anniversary
By Tia Carol Jones
The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic is celebrating its 20th anniversary with an event, which will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25th, at the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts located at 915 E. 60th St.
Orbert Davis and Mark Ingram founded the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic in 2004 at the request of the Jazz Institute of Chicago. The organization, which works to preserve the legacy of jazz, provides jazz education, builds Chicago’s jazz community and fosters a thriving Chicago jazz scene, was in the process of booking the 2004 Chicago Jazz Festival.
Davis, who is a composer, has always lived in both worlds of classical and jazz as a trombone player. With their history as musicians and producers for decades, both he and Ingram have done just about everything there was to do in music. But that Jazz Festival was one of their biggest challenges. Twenty years later, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic is using their event to pay tribute to Hazel Scott, a Jazz and Classical music pioneer.
The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic’s Executive Director Laura Rice brought Hazel Scott to Davis and Ingram’s attention. The more they delved into her history, the more they realized Hazel Scott was a pioneer, musically and as a civil rights leader. Davis said it became important to recognize her accomplishments and contributions.
“History cannot be erased, no matter how certain factions try to do so, and the louder those who are against history speak, the louder we will speak back and control the narrative,” Davis said.
Davis said now is the perfect time for people in Chicago and around the world to learn about Hazel Scott and her significance. Davis said Karen Chilton, a Chicago native who is a Hazel Scott biographer, playwright, librettist and actor, was the perfect person to represent that. The event will also honor Toni-Marie Montgomery, DMA, Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music dean emerita, who is a longtime friend of Davis and Ingram. Montgomery and Chilton will be presented the Think Big! Award. Davis said recognizing the women will make the event a very special night.
Davis said that music is not a choice, it is a birthright and culture. He said that jazz is the most amazing music, and it has inspired more people and has become a hub, where other forms of music have come from.
“Jazz is the soundtrack of America. People from all over the world have come to America and been a part of that voice. The most significant thing about Jazz is that it started in the hardship of America’s greatest sin and that is slavery,” Davis said.
Davis added that while it took 400 years for the music genre to become jazz, it symbolizes the survival of the African spirit that created the greatest music in the world. He said that what Chicago Jazz Philharmonic does is blend jazz with classical music.
The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic will host its summer Jazz Academy, which will take place through Friday, June 27, at Daystar Academy, located at 1550 S. State St. Cost is $325 for CPS Students; and $425 for non-CPS Students. Reduced prices are available for current Jazz Academy students.
For more information about the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, visit www.chijazzphil.org.
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