America’s definitive Third Stream orchestra combining jazz and classical music.

What Is Third Stream?

Gunther Schuller coined the term “Third Stream” in 1957 to describe a new musical genre merging jazz and classical traditions.

Orbert Davis’ Chicago Jazz Philharmonic presents Third Stream as a way to bridge communities, educate the next generation of musicians, encourage cross-cultural dialogue, and expand creative practice.

“Bristling innovation and mainstream melody-making, classical modernism and free jazz improvisation – all these elements, and others, converge when CJP takes the stage.”

— Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune

Orbert Davis' Chicago Jazz Philharmonic performs at Chicago's Auditorium Theatre

Performance

In ensembles ranging from the full 60-piece orchestra to the double quartet, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic performs a wide repertoire combining jazz and classical idioms in original arrangements and world premieres, locally and internationally.

Education

Summer Jazz Academy students perform during a Drumline camp session

Serving under-resourced schools and families in need to provide equity and access to impactful music education programs, in-school and in the community, meeting students where they are and bringing out the best in them.

Touring and Third Stream Residencies

From Cuba to Bulgaria, and universities around the U.S., CJP partners with orchestras in residency programs that combine immersive performance and cultural exchange through Third Stream repertoire.

CJP Poster Contest - Calling all Artists! A Chance to Win $500

Chicago Jazz Philharmonic (CJP) is seeking a creative, colorful, lyrical poster design to promote our 20th Anniversary season! This design competition is open to all artists, including students. The winning artwork will be featured as a large format printed poster and on other products sold by CJP, as well as distributed among hundreds of Chicagoland stores and public spaces as a distinctive signature of CJP’s season.

CJP Spotlight

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THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS

OZINGA

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Caerus Foundation

WTTW

Chicago's Cultural Treasures

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Illinois Arts Council Agency

Jay Pritzker Foundation

✶CHI | DCASE

PRINCE Charitable Trust

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Robert & Mayari Pritzker Family Foundation

OZINGA 🎵 Caerus Foundation • WTTW • Chicago's Cultural Treasures 🎶 Illinois Arts Council Agency • Jay Pritzker Foundation • ✶CHI | DCASE • PRINCE Charitable Trust 👏 Robert & Mayari Pritzker Family Foundation •