Davis won an Emmy Award for the composition and production of an original score for the national PBS documentary, “DuSable to Obama: Chicago’s Black Metropolis.” He is also co-founder, conductor and Artistic Director of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, a 55+ piece jazz-symphonic orchestra dedicated to multi-genre projects.
- Symphonic Works
- Ensemble Works
- Works for Theater
- Works for Television
- Works for Radio Broadcasting
- Works for Film
- Brass and Drum Series Sheet Music
2013
“The Chicago River” inspired by photos taken of the reversal of the Chicago river in the early 20th century. Debuted at Chicago’s Symphony Center on May 24, 2013
2012
“Through Ella’s Eyes – A 95th Birthday Celebration” paid homage to the First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald, in honor of what would have been her 95th birthday. March 31, 2012
2010
“From Ella to Mandela: The Legacy of the African and American Spirit.” This program presented an exploration of the contributions of female vocalists to the jazz genre, juxtaposed with our African roots in the Nelson Mandela inspired suite, “Hope in Action”. March 11, 2010
2009
The 4th Annual “Made in Chicago” festival in Poznan, Poland. November 20-28, 2009
2008
“Hope in Action” A Birthday Celebration for Nelson Mandela, Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Chicago. July 21, 2008
2007
Concerto for a Genius, for Reginald Robinson. A 4-movement work based on solo ragtime piano pieces composed by Robinson
2006
Chicago @ 173, commissioned by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. World premiere by the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, March 4, 2006, at the Auditorium Theatre, Chicago
2005
Collective Creativity Suite commissioned by the Illinois Arts Council and the Jazz Partnership. World premiere by the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, August 29, 2005, Pritzker Pavilion, Millennium Park, Chicago
2004
E lucevan le Stella (from Tosca by Puccini) commissioned by the Boeing Corporation. Debut with the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. Premiered at Chicago Jazz Festival
2003
Four Tone Poems for Jazz Quintet and Orchestra, performed with Chicago Sinfonietta at Symphony Center, Chicago
1999
Glass Walls Suite, commissioned by Lucent Technologies and the Arts Center at College of DuPage. Text by Kurt Elling. Premiered at College of DuPage, IL
1998
Concerto for Jazz Quartet and Orchestra, performed with Chicago Sinfonietta and later with Fox Valley Orchestra, Appleton, Wisconsin
2013
“Havana Blue” a momentous collaboration, the Artistic Directors of River North Dance Chicago and Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Frank Chaves and Orbert Davis. April 13, 2013
“DuSable to Obama: Chicago’s Black Metropolis” music from the Emmy Award winning WTTW television documentary performed at Governors State University’s Center for Performing Arts. March 10, 2013
“DuSable to Obama: Chicago’s Black Metropolis” music from the Emmy Award winning WTTW television documentary performed at The University of Chicago’s Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts. February 16, 2013
2012
“Strings and Things That Swing: The New Third Stream.” Orbert Davis’ Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Chamber Ensemble return to the North Shore Center to continue their artistic mission to fuse the most creative qualities of classical music and jazz. October 20, 2012
2011
“Sketches of Blue: An Orbert Davis Tribute to Miles” featured newly arranged versions of the Miles Davis’ classic recordings, Kind of Blue and Sketches of Spain. April 14, 2011
2009
“Strings and Things That Swing: The New Third Stream” marked the premiere performance of the new Chicago Jazz Philharmonic (CJP) Chamber Ensemble, comprised of 14 musicians. November 14, 2009
2007
Concierto for Generation I inspired by the 2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan. Part of the 2007 “Infiniti in Black” advertising campaign
2006
Fanfare for Cloud Gate, for brass ensemble, Commissioned by the City of Chicago and Millennium Park, Chicago for the dedication of Cloud Gate sculpture by Anish Kapoor
1999
An Ellingtonian Renaissance for trumpet, string quartet and bass, commissioned by the Chicago Humanities Festival Performed with the Grant Park Symphony, Chicago in 2005
2012
Color Blind: Re-Thinking Race offers viewers an opportunity to see a different perspective on race, to change the conversation, reframe the discussion and challenge the current social paradigm. Soundtrack composed by Orbert Davis.
2010
DuSable to Obama: Chiacgo’s Black Metropolis Orbert Davis, excelled in his role as music composer of this Emmy Award winning soundtrack for the critically acclaimed, and Emmy Award winning television documentary, which premiered on Chicago’s WITW in June 2010 and national public television beginning February 2011.
2006
Grannies on Safari (theme music) PBS. Pat Johnson and Regina Fraser are The Grannies on Safari®. Between them, they have traveled to over 80 countries over the last three decades. With their pioneering new national television series “Grannies On Safari”, they offer audiences surprises at every turn in their determination to track down cultural treasures. www.granniesonsafari.com
2001
Heartwing Ministries (music for website). HeartWing Ministries, founded by Michelle McKinney Hammond, was developed to minister to the mind, body and spirit of today’s Christian community, especially women. www.michellehammond.com
1997
The Oprah Winfrey Show (theme music and bumpers) as a staff composer at Joy Art Music, Evanston, IL
American Family Kitchen, WTTW, Public Television, Chicago, IL (theme and segment music) as a staff composer at Joy Art Music, Evanston, IL
1995-1998
Composed, arranged and produced over 100 radio and television commercials for McDonalds, Sears, Wrigley and others as a staff composer for Joy Art Music, Evanston, IL
2007 – Present
“The Real Deal with Orbert Davis” is not the typical jazz radio show, but rather an intimate experience with jazz from a jazz musician’s perspective. The Real Deal with Orbert Davis” gives voice to Orbert’s dualism as a world-class jazz trumpeter and jazz fan, allowing him to share his ideas and music library with the world. The Real Deal Jazz airs every Friday evening at 7:00pm on 90.9 FM WDCB and streams live at wdcb.org
1998
Radio Disney (theme and incidental music) National syndication
1995
The Tom Joyner Morning Show (theme and incidental music) National syndication
1992
Wisdom from the Word (theme music) – the expository preaching and teaching ministry of James Ford Jr. Moody Broadcasting, Chicago and 160 WMBI syndicated and affiliate stations nationwide
2002
Road to Perdition – starring Tom Hanks and Paul Newman: jazz consultant, arrangements, on and off-camera performance
2000
Postmark Paradise – starring Natalia Nazarova: arrangement, off-camera performance
1997
Hoodlum – starring Lawrence Fishburn and Vanessa Williams: off-camera performance (featured trumpet soloist)
1992
The Babe – starring John Goodman: arrangements, off-camera performance
A League of Their Own – starring Tom Hanks and Gina Davis: on and off-camera performances
1989
The Experts – starring John Travolta: arrangement, off-camera performance
1984
The Roommates – starring Lance Guest: on-camera performance
CJP Brass and Drum Series
Orbert Davis’ Chicago Jazz Philharmonic (CJP), in partnership with Boeing and USO of Illinois, is proud to be part of a tribute saluting our veterans and military members. CJP presents an opportunity for high school and college bands to honor our troops by performing the first two movements from the “Home and Away Suite,” composed by Emmy Award winning composer and CJP Artistic Director, Orbert Davis.
The music is scored for brass and drums and can be performed in many settings; on the field, in the stadium or on the concert stage. “Our Salute” will allow every member of your ensemble and audience to feel pride for those who serve, while “The Star Spangled Banner” will stir emotions for our country. “Fanfare for Cloud Gate” was commissioned by the City of Chicago and Millennium Park Chicago for the 2005 dedication of the “Cloud Gate” sculpture by Anish Kapoor.
The music is scored for brass and drums and can be performed in many settings; on the field, in the stadium or on the concert stage. Click to purchase.
About Orbert
Emmy Award-winning trumpeter, composer, and educator, Orbert Davis is co-founder, conductor and Artistic Director of CHICAGO JAZZ PHILHARMONIC, a 55+ piece jazz-symphonic orchestra dedicated to multi-genre projects. Full bio »