Presented by: Chicago Jazz Philharmonic
Celebrating the International Day of Jazz, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic (CJP) presents Sketches of Spain: Revisited, an orchestral reimagining of the iconic 1960 original by Miles Davis and Gil Evans. For this reinterpretation of the 1960 classic recording, CJP artistic director and composer Orbert Davis created two additional compositions, incorporating traditional African and Middle Eastern instruments and making modifications to the ensemble orchestration. These intimate yet powerful concerts will transport audiences to a different world.
Orbert Davis’s involvement with Sketches of Spain began in the 1990’s when, as a trumpeter in Bill Russo’s Chicago Jazz Ensemble, he was asked to perform the solo trumpet part originally played by Miles Davis (no relation). A particular challenge was to disregard the expectations of some purists that the original performance would be re-created. “However,” Orbert notes, “What Miles played is not intended to be duplicated. Miles reached past the technical aspects of his instrument and played from the depths of his soul. I took that approach to freely create during the improvised sections.”
Orbert Davis’s version of the classic work developed over many subsequent performances and years of studying the original recording, as well as Spanish music and culture. From the first performance with his own Chicago Jazz Philharmonic in 2011, Orbert introduced new elements reflecting Moorish influences on Spanish culture along with infectious jazz grooves and highlighted the unique talents of individual musicians in his ensemble.
During CJP’s International Day of Jazz festivities, CJP orchestra members will create a sound rooted in Spanish culture, blending classical aesthetics and jazz sensibility to reveal an emotional depth universally recognizable. “I hope that audiences will be able to identify with the passion and emotion expressed in this work”, says Davis. “There is a story behind the music, and audience members need to interpret that story for themselves.”
Followed by a panel discussion that will include:
Orbert Davis, Emmy award-winning trumpeter and composer, and artistic director, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, https://orbertdavis.com/
Mark Ruffin, award-winning journalist and program director, Sirius XM, Real Jazz, https://www.markruffin.com/bio, panelist
Karen Chilton, critically acclaimed author, Hazel Scott: The Pioneering Journey of a Jazz Pianist from Café Society to Hollywood to HUAC, and librettist, https://www.karenchilton.com/bio
Our schedule for Sketches of Spain: Revisited is as follows:
1:00 pm: Concert
2:10 pm - 3:45pm (immediately following concert): Sketches of Miles: The Conversation Continues
Join the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic as it continues the conversation that began during Miles Davis @ 100: The Prelude on November 1, 2025. In addition to discussing Miles Davis’s life, legacy, Chicago connections, and global impact, panelists will unpack the history and music of Sketches of Spain, including Davis’s artistic partnership with Gil Evans.