Chicago Jazz Orchestra Plays MILES AHEAD in Chicago Debut Today

Today, November 3rd at 3:00 p.m. at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, conducted by Jeff Lindberg, will present trumpeter Jon Faddis in the Chicago premiere of the MiLes Davis/Gil Evans landmark recording, Miles Ahead.

Originally recorded by Davis with the Gil Evans Orchestra in 1957, this work was the first of the trumpeter's three acclaimed collaborations with Gil Evans on Columbia Records. Porgy and Bess (1958) and Sketches of Spain (1960) were the other two. Popular songs from Miles Ahead include The Duke written by Dave Brubeck and My Ship written by Kurt Weill, along with Miles Ahead, written by Davis and Evans. Jon Faddis will perform the MiLes Davis solo role, while Lindberg will conduct the 19-piece CJO in playing the original scores obtained from Gil Evans' son.

The first half of the program will feature a tribute to tenor saxophonist Frank Foster. Foster was a long time collaborator and arranger for the Count Basie Orchestra, contributing arrangements as well as original compositions for many of the orchestra's signature songs, including Shiny Stockings. He also led the orchestra from 1986 until 1995. The program will also feature some of Foster's more recent compositions. Foster passed away in 2011.

The Chicago Jazz Orchestra (CJO) was founded in 1978 (Jazz Members Big Band) by Jeff Lindberg and the late Steve Jensen. Composed of Chicago's top musicians the CJO is Chicago's oldest professional jazz orchestra in continuous operation and one of the oldest jazz repertory orchestras in the country. Conductor and Artistic Director Jeff Lindberg is one of the foremost transcribers in jazz. As a result, the orchestra's repertoire draws upon his vast library which includes the works of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Lionel Hampton, Benny Carter, Oliver Nelson, Ray Charles and many others.

The CJO became the first professional jazz orchestra in Chicago to present a yearly subscription series (1998-99). The CJO's 2005 compact disc Clark Terry and Jeff Lindberg's Chicago Jazz Orchestra: George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess (Americana Music) received widespread critical acclaim including a rare "five star" rating in Downbeat Magazine. The CJO's new CD "Burstin Out" features vocalist Cyrille Aimeealong with the orchestra in beautifully orchestrated arrangements of some of the most beloved jazz classics.

The Chicago Premiere of MiLes Davis' Famed Recording - Miles Ahead - Featuring Trumpeter Jon Faddis. TICKETS ON SALE NOW at http://www.harristheaterchicago.org/events/2013-2014-season/chi-jazz-orchestra.