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In its vision of becoming Chicago’s next internationally known orchestra, defined by its cross collaborations in jazz, classical and other musical genres, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic is inaugurating its first International Exchange program in conjunction with “Hope In Action.”

South Africa to Chicago

Zim Ngqawana, prominent South African jazz saxophonist, will travel to Chicago July 14 – 22 to perform in the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic “Hope In Action” concert and work alongside Chicago Jazz Philharmonic members to conduct educational workshops, master classes, and clinics with local student jazz groups.

Chicago to South Africa

Core members of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic will travel to South Africa in February – March 2009 and perform “Hope In Action,” in partnership with resident orchestras (Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra; Cape Philharmonic Orchestra). Select cities include Johannesburg, Durban (a Chicago Sister City), and Transkei (birthplace of Nelson Mandela).

Orbert Davis and CJP members will conduct a series of arts education workshops with students and professional development workshops for teachers. Workshop themes to include:

• » Leadership in Jazz and Life
• » Jazz History and World History
• » Jazz Improvisation and Communication

Encourage South African arts organizations to adopt the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic “Jazz Alive” program’s mission and methodology of instituting music education and arts enrichment at the beginning of a student’s formal education. The goal is to partner with a local institution to pilot a “Jazz Alive” program in South Africa.

The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic “Symphonic Jazz Series” (a package of compositions with supporting scores and individual parts) will be presented to each partnering institution.

Based upon the enormous success of Chicago Jazz Philharmonic’s FREE concerts on Chicago’s lakefront in previous years, the orchestra attempts to bridge artistic celebration with audience development through a thematic series of performances — innately bringing together diverse audiences through innovative collaboration of artistic traditions into one unique experience. To deliver this comprehensive experience of music, education, and awareness, these events will include both an education component, as well as the performance. “HUMANITY” will celebrate the power of the arts to speak to the masses and give a representation of who we are, where we came from, and hope for what is to come.

Composer and Artistic Director, Orbert Davis, will compose three major works for each performance in the series. The process will take him through history, tracing historical events and traditions to the present, and culminating with a vision for the future wherein boundaries between categories, genres, and humans are erased

Chicago Jazz Philharmonic will deliver this message through its arsenal of talent and musical expression. The 55+ piece orchestra represents both inner and outer diversity, not only through its cultural composition, but also in its individual artistry. Orchestra members are comprised of both classically trained musicians steeped in Jazz, and Jazz masters that can speak the classical language. More importantly, genre divisions are not defined by ethnicity. The end result is a seamless melding of jazz and classical languages, an astounding feat that currently, has no counterpart within the United States.

Bill Kurtis is a journalist, producer, and author who has more than 40 years of experience as an award-winning journalist. Under his own production company, Kurtis Productions, he created Investigative Reports, Cold Case Files, and other programs for the A&E Television Network. As a producer, Kurtis earned two Emmy Award nominations for Cold Case Files for Outstanding Nonfiction Series in 2004 and 2005.
Zim Ngqawana’s style is rather difficult to define to a single label or genre. With an avant-garde approach to his music he pools his vast knowledge of traditional African music with his equivalently awesome knowledge of jazz to interpret and adapt these classics into new and inspiring interpretations. His music furthermore contains elements of bop, funk, Indian and Western classical music, samba, tango, vocal chants — highly percussive and often danceable.
T’Keyah Crystal Keymah is best known for her acclaimed work on three pioneering television shows; In Living Color, Cosby and That’s So Raven, Disney Channel’s #1 hit. Alongside Raven~Symone, T’Keyah plays the character of Tanya Baxter, but millions of children worldwide just think of her adoringly as “Raven’s Mom.” She is also the voice of Bumblebee on the WB’s animated series Teen Titans and Trixie’s mom, Mrs. Carter on Disney’s American Dragon.
Dee Alexander is one of the most gifted and respected female vocalist today. Though her talents can span every music genre, her true heart and soul are experienced in their purest form through Jazz. From a soft, sultry traditional ballad, to a contemporary Jazz-Funk groove; from a high flying swing, to a scat-filled romp, Dee Alexander delivers on each and every note with a style and grace that is truly her own.
Ari Brown is a popular tenor saxophonist/pianist is an important member of the Chicago avant-garde jazz scene, and a veteran sideman. His technique and traditional jazz chops are excellent and highly expressive on both of his instruments. Chicago Reader critic Peter Margasak calls Brown “a terrific saxophonist with a deep understanding of both Bebop’s complex rhythms and the wild expressionism of Free Jazz.”
The Soul Children of Chicago is one of the most celebrated youth choirs in the world. Under the direction of Walt Whitman, they have produced five albums, performed all over the world hand have won teh prestigious Stellar Award. Other credits include performances with Harry Belafonte, Neil Diamond, Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Yolanda Adams and Garth Brooks. They have also performed for Presidents Bill Clinton, George Bush, Sr., Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon.

Chicago will take center stage in a day of world-wide celebration honoring the life and ideals of Nelson Mandela, on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

Orbert Davis, artistic director, composer, performer and conductor of Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, will premiere a new composition to honor the global message, struggle, perseverance, and triumph of this humanitarian icon. The orchestra will deliver the composition, entitled “Hope In Action,” which artistically represents Nelson Mandela’s ideals of diversity, inclusivity, and change.

The composition will seamlessly weave jazz and classical, African rhythms, interspersed with moments of inspirational narration, and culminating with a grand chorus of a children’s choir. In conjunction with the event, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic will host and feature prominent South African jazz saxophonist and educator Zim Ngqawana, as its first “Artist-In-Residence.”