Have you felt that specific, electric hum in the air lately? That’s the maestro himself, Miles Davis calling. We aren’t just celebrating a birthday; we’re celebrating the Miles Davis Centennial. Whether you’re a jazz cat or a curious newcomer, Chicago is honoring the man who defined cool.
The main event at Orchestra Hall
If you want to feel the gravity of a legend, head straight to Symphony Center on March 27. Cuban piano virtuoso Gonzalo Rubalcaba is reimaging songs that Miles performed using a trumpet, followed by an ensemble of heavy hitters bridging the gap between 1950s bebop and ’80s electronic fusion. Seeing this in a classical temple like Orchestra Hall really is the cherry on top!
A more intimate celebration at FitzGerald’s
Looking for that quintessential, smoky jazz vibe? Sneak over to FitzGerald’s on March 5. Local legend Joe Policastro is assembling a sextet to perform Kind of Blue in its entirety. There’s something truly transformative about hearing the best-selling jazz album of all time in a dark, wood-paneled club rather than a formal hall. It’s raw, it’s close, and it’s the perfect spot for a date night.
The Jazz Room
Last, but certainly not least, you can enjoy Jazz throughout the year at The Jazz Room. By lamplight, talented musicians entertain with improv and odes to greats like Miles himself, Louis Armstrong. and more titans of the genre. Sit back, relax with a drink in hand and imagine yourself back in the heyday.