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
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
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 Spotlight
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Michael Salter
Saxophonist, CJP Orchestra member, Jazz Alive and Jazz Academy faculty member
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Zara Zaharieva
Orchestra member, violinist, music educator, collaborator
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Ana Santamaria
Education Programs Coordinator, cellist, music educator
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Jonathon Wenzel
Percussionist, CJP orchestra member, Jazz Alive faculty member
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Mark Moultrie
Private Banker, BMO Wealth Management, CJP Board Vice Chair
