Miles Davis @ 100: The Prelude
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31 – SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2025
In advance of Miles Davis's 100th Birthday in 2026, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic honors this son of Alton and East Saint Louis, IL with a weekend of music, memoir, and conversation. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience jazz at its finest, celebrating Miles Davis, one of the world’s greatest musicians and music innovators.
Friday, October 31
Davis Plays Davis: Open Rehearsals and Talkbacks
10:30 AM & 1:00 PM
Chicago school groups and senior citizens are invited to attend open rehearsals and talkbacks with artistic director Orbert Davis and members of Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. Teacher guides will be provided to participating schools.
Admission: $1 per person
Chicago school groups and senior citizens are invited to attend open rehearsals and talkbacks with artistic director Orbert Davis and members of Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. Teacher guides will be provided to participating schools.
Admission: $1 per person
Saturday, November 1
Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool
SCREENING | 3:00 PM (Run Time: 1 hour and 55 minutes)
American Masters presents Stanley Nelson’s Grammy-nominated Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool. Discover the man behind the legend. With full access to the Miles Davis Estate, the film features never-before-seen footage, including studio outtakes from his recording sessions, rare photos and new interviews.
American Masters presents Stanley Nelson’s Grammy-nominated Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool. Discover the man behind the legend. With full access to the Miles Davis Estate, the film features never-before-seen footage, including studio outtakes from his recording sessions, rare photos and new interviews.
Davis Plays Davis: conversation and concert
CONVERSATION | 6:00 PM
Joining renowned trumpeter, composer, educator, and conductor Orbert Davis in conversation are Vincent Wilburn, Jr., Miles Davis’s nephew, drummer, and co-manager of Davis's estate, and bandleader of M.E.B., and Mark Ruffin, program director and host of Sirius XM Real Jazz. This trio will discuss Miles Davis's music, life, legacy, and his Chicago connections.
CONCERT | 7:00 PM
Following the conversation, CJP artistic director Orbert Davis brings the timeless music of jazz legend Miles Davis to the Kehrein Center for the Arts. Known for his virtuosic playing and deep understanding of jazz, Orbert Davis will perform a selection of Miles Davis’s iconic songs, honoring the groundbreaking work of one of the most influential musicians in jazz history. With the energy and synergy of a full sextet, this performance promises to capture the essence of Miles Davis's sound while offering fresh, dynamic takes on his classic works.
Davis Plays Davis: Orbert Davis (leader/trumpet), Kevin King (saxophone), John Moulder (guitar), Leandro López Várady (piano), John Sutton (bass), Ron Hall (bass), and Ernie Adams (drums).
Admission: $2 per person
Joining renowned trumpeter, composer, educator, and conductor Orbert Davis in conversation are Vincent Wilburn, Jr., Miles Davis’s nephew, drummer, and co-manager of Davis's estate, and bandleader of M.E.B., and Mark Ruffin, program director and host of Sirius XM Real Jazz. This trio will discuss Miles Davis's music, life, legacy, and his Chicago connections.
CONCERT | 7:00 PM
Following the conversation, CJP artistic director Orbert Davis brings the timeless music of jazz legend Miles Davis to the Kehrein Center for the Arts. Known for his virtuosic playing and deep understanding of jazz, Orbert Davis will perform a selection of Miles Davis’s iconic songs, honoring the groundbreaking work of one of the most influential musicians in jazz history. With the energy and synergy of a full sextet, this performance promises to capture the essence of Miles Davis's sound while offering fresh, dynamic takes on his classic works.
Davis Plays Davis: Orbert Davis (leader/trumpet), Kevin King (saxophone), John Moulder (guitar), Leandro López Várady (piano), John Sutton (bass), Ron Hall (bass), and Ernie Adams (drums).
Admission: $2 per person
Parking & Transportation
CTA:
The Kehrein Center of the Arts (KCA) is located 3 blocks south of the Central stop on the Green Line. There are several bus stops within a block of the venue.
Parking Lots:
2 lots immediately North of the KCA, accessible via Parkside or Central (West side)
1 lot just North of Washington Blvd on the East side of Central
Street Parking:
Central Avenue
East side of the street, north of Washington
West side of the street, South of Washington Blvd
1 block north of Washington Blvd (NOT in the first block north of Washington Blvd.)
Washington Blvd.
Both sides, East and West of Central Avenue
CTA:
The Kehrein Center of the Arts (KCA) is located 3 blocks south of the Central stop on the Green Line. There are several bus stops within a block of the venue.
Parking Lots:
2 lots immediately North of the KCA, accessible via Parkside or Central (West side)
1 lot just North of Washington Blvd on the East side of Central
Street Parking:
Central Avenue
East side of the street, north of Washington
West side of the street, South of Washington Blvd
1 block north of Washington Blvd (NOT in the first block north of Washington Blvd.)
Washington Blvd.
Both sides, East and West of Central Avenue