"Hope in Action: Celebrating Nelson Mandela's Centennial"

July 16, 2018 at 6:30PM - Millennium Park, Chicago - FREE, Millennium Park

Honoring Nelson Mandela’s centennial year, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic reprises this monumental work which premiered in 2008 as part of a worldwide celebration of Mandela’s 90th birthday. The composition weaves jazz and classical music with African rhythms and narration from Mandela’s speeches. With featured performances from vocalist Dee Alexander, saxophonist Rajiv Halim, and theater artist Ron OJ Parson (orator), the 4-movement work culminates with a grand chorus of the CJP’s Jazz Academy Youth Choir (in partnership with The People's Music School).

Young singers (ages 10-17) from across the Chicago metro area are invited to join the "Hope in Action" Youth Choir by attending a FREE two-day choir camp on July 11-12, and July 16 (performance date). For more information and to register click here.  Questions? This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Photos: Warren Hill

Press

Relive the 2008 World Premiere of "Hope in Action"

Splash Magazine - July 17, 2018
"The overall presentation of the music from the CJP with the words of Mandella was emotionally moving to all in attendance...It was a perfect way to end the night by symbolically taking the message of Mandella and passing it to the next generation.  Orbert Davis and the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic provided the perfect tribute to Nelson Mandella’s legacy." -Keith Gerbosi

WDCB - July 16, 2018
WDCB's Gary Zidek talks to Chicago Jazz Philharmonic's Artistic Director, Orbert Davis, about "Hope in Action: Celebrating Nelson Mandela's Centennial." 

Chicago Tribune - July 17, 2018
"To hear the CJP conjure the sounds of sorrow, heroism and joy — while Ron OJ Parson delivered Mandela's own words – was to appreciate anew the great man’s struggles and triumphs in the most visceral way possible: through music." -Howard Reich





"Hope in Action" (2008) - Fanfare for the Uncommon Man