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  • America's definitive Third Stream orchestra Where Jazz and Classical meet in harmony

    America's definitive Third Stream orchestra

    Where Jazz and Classical meet in harmony

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Our Story

Chicago Jazz Philharmonic combines jazz and classical to create new, evolved, “third stream” musical experiences at home and around the world. Ranging in ensembles from a Double Quartet to a 60-piece orchestra, CJP's third stream approach unites diverse perspectives, expanding the potential of what music brings to life for students, musicians, audiences, and communities. 


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The organization’s achievements were recognized with the prestigious 2016 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, the esteemed Chicago Cultural Treasures award, and the 2023 Illinois Council of Orchestras Professional Orchestra of the Year and Conductor of the Year awards. 

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The Founders

"Heart and Soul” -Best friends for more than 35 years, Orbert Davis and Mark Ingram founded MusicAlive in 1998 in an effort to repair the damaging effects of the elimination of music arts programming in Chicago schools. Upon witnessing the powerful impact of the arts on elementary students, their vision expanded to give birth to the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. JazzAlive, now the center of Chicago Jazz Philharmonic’s educational initiatives, reflects a deep commitment to the arts and how it impacts the lives of individuals, diversifies the culture of a community, and defines the fabric of a city.

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  • The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic’s arsenal of 60 musicians is drawn from a wealth of Chicago area talent, across both jazz and classical communities. Orchestra musicians recount their CJP performances as “unlike anything [they] have ever experienced playing.”

  • Board

    Lesley Picchietti - Chair

    Lesley Picchietti - Chair

    Principal, Inspire Bliss Coaching and Consulting
    Mark N Moultrie Jr. - Vice Chair

    Mark N Moultrie Jr. - Vice Chair

    Private Banker, BMO Wealth Management
    Pablo Sampaio - Treasurer

    Pablo Sampaio - Treasurer

    CEO, PMG Cloud Co. and PM Group Financial, Ltd.
    Andy W. Chidester - Secretary

    Andy W. Chidester - Secretary

    Founder, Metolius Partners Inc.
    Orbert Davis - Director

    Orbert Davis - Director

    Composer, Arranger, Jazz Historian, and Educator. Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic
    Mark Ingram - Director

    Mark Ingram - Director

    President, Mai-Tech Interactive and Graphics. Co-Founder and Producing Director, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic
    Elizabeth Saunders - Director

    Elizabeth Saunders - Director

    Partner, Clermont Partners
    Michael Hora - Director

    Michael Hora - Director

    President, Laughing Acres Family Foundation
    Broderick Lewis - Director

    Broderick Lewis - Director

    Director of Global Protein Sourcing, Tyson Foods
    Richard Parrott IV - Director

    Richard Parrott IV - Director

    CEO, Global Money World
    Jasmine Primm - Director

    Jasmine Primm - Director

    Sr. Vice President of HR and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Employee Relations, Home Chef

  • Advisory Board

    Ernie Adams

    Ernie Adams

    Drummer and Percussionist
    Chicago Jazz Philahrmonic
    Brett Batterson

    Brett Batterson

    President and CEO
    Orpheum Theatre Group, Memphis
    Gregory Carroll

    Gregory Carroll

    President, CEO, and Founder
    Midnight Blue Jazz, LLC
    Rich Daniels

    Rich Daniels

    Founder, City Lights Music Inc.
    Musical Director, City Lights Orchestra
    Lauren Deutsch

    Lauren Deutsch

    Former Executive Director
    Jazz Institute of Chicago
    Kurt Elling

    Kurt Elling

    Jazz Vocal Recording Artist
    2x Grammy Winner
    Marta Farion

    Marta Farion

    Director
    Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation of America
    Helena Hutton

    Helena Hutton

    Senior Director
    Cummins Inc., Center of Excellence
    Lynn LaPlante

    Lynn LaPlante

    DuPage County Board Member, Principle Violist
    Chicago Jazz Philharmonic
    Leandro Lopez Varady

    Leandro Lopez Varady

    Pianist
    Chicago Jazz Philharmonic
    Barry Mayo

    Barry Mayo

    President
    Radio One
    James Newcomb

    James Newcomb

    Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer
    Old Town School of Folk Music
    Mary Jo Papich

    Mary Jo Papich

    Co-Founder, Past President
    Jazz Education Network
    Carol Saffold

    Carol Saffold

    MD
    University of Chicago
    Judith Stein

    Judith Stein

    Board Member
    Hyde Park Jazz Festival
    Janet Weiss

    Janet Weiss

    Arts and Entertainment Marketing Executive
    Zara Zaharieva

    Zara Zaharieva

    Violinist
    Chicago Jazz Philharmonic

  • Staff

    Orbert Davis: Co-Founder & Artistic Director

    Orbert Davis: Co-Founder & Artistic Director

    Mark Ingram: Co-Founder & Producing Director

    Mark Ingram: Co-Founder & Producing Director

    Jordan Mandela: Education Programs Manager

    Jordan Mandela: Education Programs Manager

    Michael Nearpass: Development Manager

    Michael Nearpass: Development Manager

    Nazeeha Syed: Communications Coordinator

    Nazeeha Syed: Communications Coordinator

    Ana Santamaria: Education Programs Coordinator

    Ana Santamaria: Education Programs Coordinator

    Arthur Turnbull: Technology Manager

    Arthur Turnbull: Technology Manager

    Roger Heiss: Sound Engineer

    Roger Heiss: Sound Engineer

  • Orchestra Musicians

    Rhythm Section
    Leandro Varady, piano
    Stewart Miller, bass
    Ernie Adams, drums
    John Moulder, guitar

    Strings
    1st Violin
    Sylvia de la Cerna
    Phyllis Griffin
    Barbara Farley
    Gail Salvatori
    Jennifer Dunne
    Karen Nelson
    Zara Zaharieva
    Racquel Davis

    2nd Violin
    Kristine Semanic
    Christine Fliginger
    Daniel Wilkerson
    Erendira Izguerra
    Lucia Thomas
    Debora Ponko
    Songhea Sackrider
    Christine Chon

    Viola
    Lynn La Plante Allaway
    Scott Dowd
    Karen Dickleman
    Istvan Loga
    Oana Tatu
    Danielle Taylor

    Cello
    Ellen Frolichstein
    Ann Hendrickson-Griffin
    Jocelyn Shoulderss
    Elizabeth Anderson
    Kelsee Vandervall
    Jill Kaeding

    Bass Violin
    Jacques Harper
    John Floeter
    Richard Armandi
    John Sutton

    Brass
    Trumpets
    David Spencer
    Mark Olen
    Christopher Davis

    Trombones
    Tracy Kirk
    Henry Salgado
    Norman Palm
    John Blane, Bass Trombone

    Tuba
    Michael Hogg

    French Horns
    Beth Mazur-Johnson
    Michael Buckwalter
    Malik Taylor

    Woodwinds
    Flutes
    Stephen Eisen
    Mayshell Morris
    Steve Yepez

    Oboe / English Horn
    Amy Barwan, Oboe / English Horn
    June Matayoshi, Oboe
    Austyn Estey-Ang

    Clarinets
    Anna Najoom
    Teresa Reilly
    Michael Salter, Bass & Contra Bass Clarinet

    Bassoon/Contra Bassoon
    Susan Nigro
    Matthew Lano

    Tenor Saxophone
    Stephen Eisen
    Michael Salter

    Percussion
    Sarah Allen, Tympani
    Mark Smith
    Jose Rendon
    Jonathan Wenzel
    Thaddeus Tukes, vibes

  • Teaching Faculty

    Roosevelt Griffin

    Roosevelt Griffin

    Director of Ensembles and Improvisation
    Jazz Academy
    Michael Salter

    Michael Salter

    PlayUSA Lead Teacher + Improvisation Instructor
    Jazz Alive + Jazz Academy
    John Sutton

    John Sutton

    Rhythm Section
    Jazz Academy
    Artie Black

    Artie Black

    Woodwinds Instructor
    Jazz Academy
    Phyllis Sanders-Griffin

    Phyllis Sanders-Griffin

    Strings Instructor
    Jazz Alive + Jazz Academy
    Henry Salgado

    Henry Salgado

    Brass Instructor
    Jazz Academy
    Phillip Fornett

    Phillip Fornett

    Percussion Instructor
    Jazz Alive
    Jonathon Wenzel

    Jonathon Wenzel

    Percussion Instructor
    Jazz Alive
    Matthew Smalligan

    Matthew Smalligan

    Percussion Instructor
    Jazz Alive
    Andrew Pilacoutas

    Andrew Pilacoutas

    Percussion + Music Discovery Instructor
    Jazz Alive
    Callandra Youngleson

    Callandra Youngleson

    Jazz Voice Instructor
    Jazz Alive
    Alex Piela

    Alex Piela

    Brass Instructor
    Jazz Alive
    Justin Berchtold

    Justin Berchtold

    Woodwinds Instructor
    Jazz Alive
    Anna Carlson

    Anna Carlson

    Strings Instructor
    Jazz Alive
    Katherine Andrick

    Katherine Andrick

    Strings Instructor
    Jazz Alive
    Victoria Gabrielsen

    Victoria Gabrielsen

    Strings Instructor
    Jazz Alive
    Nayelii Duran

    Nayelii Duran

    Strings Instructor
    Jazz Alive
    Melody Fevrier

    Melody Fevrier

    Strings Instructor
    Jazz Alive
    Victor Marin

    Victor Marin

    Guitar Instructor
    Jazz Alive
    Lenard Simpson

    Lenard Simpson

    Saxophone Instructor
    Danish Scholarship
    Emily Kuhn

    Emily Kuhn

    Trumpet Instructor
    Danish Scholarship
    Diego Serna

    Diego Serna

    Student Teaching Artist
    Jazz Academy
    Ashley Bennett

    Ashley Bennett

    Student Teaching Artist
    Jazz Academy
    Andrew Gates

    Andrew Gates

    Student Teaching Artist
    Jazz Academy
    Brandon Zavaleta

    Brandon Zavaleta

    Student Teaching Artist
    Jazz Academy

  • Featured Guest Artists

    T'Keyah Crystal Keymah - Featured Guest Artist, Orator

    T'Keyah Crystal Keymah - Featured Guest Artist, Orator

    Richard Steele - Featured Guest Artist, Orator

    Richard Steele - Featured Guest Artist, Orator

    Ron OJ Parson - Orator

    Ron OJ Parson - Orator

    Kurt Elling - Vocalist

    Kurt Elling - Vocalist

    Dee Alexander - Vocalist

    Dee Alexander - Vocalist

    Terisa Griffin - Vocalist

    Terisa Griffin - Vocalist

    Jackie Allen - Vocalist

    Jackie Allen - Vocalist

    Bobbi Wilsyn - Vocalist

    Bobbi Wilsyn - Vocalist

    Joan Collaso - Vocalist

    Joan Collaso - Vocalist

    Maggie Brown - Vocalist

    Maggie Brown - Vocalist

    The Soul Children of Chicago - Vocalists

    The Soul Children of Chicago - Vocalists

    Sarah Marie Young - Vocalist

    Sarah Marie Young - Vocalist

    Kalyan Pathak - Tabla, Dabani, Hand Drums, Vocalist

    Kalyan Pathak - Tabla, Dabani, Hand Drums, Vocalist

    Hitesh Master Nayak - Harmonium, Vocalist

    Hitesh Master Nayak - Harmonium, Vocalist

    Tammy McCann - Vocalist

    Tammy McCann - Vocalist

    Luciano Antonio - Guitarist, Vocalist

    Luciano Antonio - Guitarist, Vocalist

    Reginald Robinson - Pianist

    Reginald Robinson - Pianist

    Bethany Pickens - Pianist

    Bethany Pickens - Pianist

    Brandon McCune - Pianist

    Brandon McCune - Pianist

    Willie Pickens - Pianist

    Willie Pickens - Pianist

    Marianna Soroka - Percussionist

    Marianna Soroka - Percussionist

    TSUKASA TAIKO, Taiko Artists

    TSUKASA TAIKO, Taiko Artists

    Zach Brock - Violinist

    Zach Brock - Violinist

    Ivan Shimlo - Bandura Master

    Ivan Shimlo - Bandura Master

    Ari Brown - Saxophonist

    Ari Brown - Saxophonist

    Zim Ngqawana - Saxophonist

    Zim Ngqawana - Saxophonist

    Rajiv Halim - Saxophonist

    Rajiv Halim - Saxophonist

    Pat Mallinger - Saxophonist

    Pat Mallinger - Saxophonist

    Kevin King - Saxophonist

    Kevin King - Saxophonist

    Ernest Dawkins - Saxophonist

    Ernest Dawkins - Saxophonist

    Tubad - Tubist

    Tubad - Tubist

    Art Hoyle - Trumpetist

    Art Hoyle - Trumpetist

    Bobby Lewis - Trumpet

    Bobby Lewis - Trumpet

    Nicole Mitchell - Flutist

    Nicole Mitchell - Flutist

    Mayshell Morris - Flutist

    Mayshell Morris - Flutist

    Howard Levy - Harmonica

    Howard Levy - Harmonica

    Sekou Conde - Djembefola

    Sekou Conde - Djembefola

    Babu Atiba - Djembefola

    Babu Atiba - Djembefola

    Stu Katz - Vibraphonist

    Stu Katz - Vibraphonist

    Thaddeus Tukes - Vibraphonist

    Thaddeus Tukes - Vibraphonist

    Joel Ross - Vibraphonist

    Joel Ross - Vibraphonist

    Natya Dance Theatre - Dancers

    Natya Dance Theatre - Dancers

    Ronald Preston - San Carlos Apache Nation

    Ronald Preston - San Carlos Apache Nation

    Guanglong Li - Erhu

    Guanglong Li - Erhu

    Obari Adeye Cartman - Dununfola

    Obari Adeye Cartman - Dununfola

    Menghua Guan - Guzheng

    Menghua Guan - Guzheng

    Martin ‘Tre’ Dumas

    Martin ‘Tre’ Dumas

    Kerry Leung - Pipa, Dizi

    Kerry Leung - Pipa, Dizi