Havana Blue

April 13, 2013, Auditorium Theatre

In a momentous collaboration, the Artistic Directors of River North Dance Chicago and Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Frank Chaves and Orbert Davis, explore their shared Cuban experiences for a vibrant World Premiere of original live music and dance, bringing the culture's rich history to life in a contemporary way. Co-commissioned by the Auditorium Theatre.

Press

Jazz Times (November 21, 2016)
“Congri,” the suite’s stirring second movement, combines the best of all possible worlds. Drummer Ernie Adams, conguero Jose Rendon and percussionist Suzanne Osman play interlocking rhythms at a boil, something that might be heard on a Havana street corner (or an American one). The strings sweep into the terse ensemble statements for flashes of color that give the music a ballroom elegance; over top, Davis plays a muted trumpet with delicious melody and all the after-hours smokiness of the jazz club.”-Michael J. West

All About Jazz (August 13, 2016)
“The suite is charming in every respect; more temperate, perhaps, than one might expect, but no less seductive because of it. Davis takes most of the solos, leaving no cause for complaint in that area.”-Jack Bowers

Amazon Customer Review (August 19, 2016)
“Davis' arrangements are polished and vibrant as the music gravitates from tenderly lyrical to rhythmically supercharged.”-Scott Albin

Latin Jazz Network (July 16, 2016)
“Havana Blue Suite, written for CJP (...) emerges more than ever as the most romantic of Davis’ works, gloriously melodic yet with a bite of intensity in the characteristically jazzy passages, here played not just by Davis but the distinguished group of musicians who form the CJP.”-Raul de Gama

Jazz Ed Magazine (June 16, 2016)
““We wanted to create an innovative, contemporary take on Afro-Caribbean music, departing from the cliché of fast tempos, bright colors, and ruffled shirts,” Davis explains. “Havana Blue explores the similarities between African and Cuban rhythms and culture and how that heritage helps people overcome the challenges of everyday life.””-Don Macica

All About Jazz (August 13, 2016)
“The suite is charming in every respect; more temperate, perhaps, than one might expect, but no less seductive because of it.”-Jack Bowers

Havana Blue, Orlandos Walk