Project Summary

Sketches Of Brazil

Project Summary
The SPO debut performance ensued at the world class Millennium Park-Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage in downtown Chicago on August 13, 2009.  The project entitled, “Sketches of Brazil,” is the creation of three-time Grammy nominated composer/conductor/pianist Robert Irving III.  He is best known as the longest collaborating pianist and music director for the Miles Davis groups from 1979 through 1988.  The performance featured world-renowned jazz trumpeter, Wallace Roney (the only trumpet player to be mentored by Miles Davis), classical guitarist, Fareed Haque (of Chilean and Pakastani origin) and Miles Davis alum, Brazilian percussionist Dede Sampaio.  The performance, attracting a record Millennium Park crowd of 12,500, opened with a Mayoral Proclamation, commending the SPO project, its creator and participants. The SPO received three standing ovations during the performance.  Chicago Tribune music critic Howard Reich wrote of the performance “…extraordinarily ambitious… a tour-de-force of orchestral writing.”  Audience member comments included, “transporting,” “life changing,” “brilliant,” “there where passages so moving that I cried,” “sexy,” “there were moments when jazz history was being made,” and “boy if that concert didn’t speak to you nothing ever will.”

Historical Significance
Fifty years ago in 1959-1960, trumpet legend Miles Davis teamed with composer/arranger Gil Evans to create “Sketches of Spain.”  In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked it 356 on the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.  “Sketches” defied categorization, as it expanded the audience for orchestral music and jazz, while exposing many to Spanish music and culture for the first time.

Robert Irving III has created “Sketches of Brazil” as a virtual sequel to the Davis/Evans classic “Sketches of Spain.”  He has carried on the legacy passed to him and simultaneously created something completely new.  That legacy began with his collaboration with Davis from 1979-88, and in 1983-1985, his mentorship by Gil Evans (at the request of Davis).  Evans shared his scores, and discussed arranging and orchestration concepts with the then 32 year-old Irving.  He often invited Irving to the piano as a guest with the Gil Evans Orchestra’s Tuesday night performances at Sweet Basil’s in New York.  Coming full circle, Evans’ son, Miles Evans, also played trumpet in the SPO world-premiere performance of “Sketches of Brazil.”

That legacy was also passed on at the 1991 Montreux Jazz Festival, this time from Miles and Gil to Wallace Roney.  Roney played the original trumpet parts written by Evans, leaving Davis free to solo.  At the end of this historic concert, Davis handed Wallace his blue signature horn as a gift.  This “passing of the torch” took on even greater significance when Davis died three months later.  Coincidentally, the fact that the two share that same birthday is absolutely uncanny.  So Irving and Roney both feel a personal mandate to honor the legacies of Davis and Evans.  “Sketches of Brazil” is a truly authentic heartfelt homage to their mentors.

The convergence of historical celebrations around this project is significant.  For 2009 also marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Brazilian composer, Heitor Villa Lobos (whose work Irving has adapted for portions of the performance along with original compositions, all being informed by the orchestration techniques of Gil Evans).  While this project is considered historically significant on its own, it also falls completely within the purview the SPO mission.  It served to bridge cultures through neoteric expressions, bringing new audiences to a convergence of orchestral music blended with jazz and the sounds of Brazil.

Marketing Research
The 2008 Presidential acceptance speech by President Barrack Obama from the Jay Pritzker stage at Millennium Park placed this venue into high visibility for people around the world.  Its striking architectural design and location in the heart of Chicago’s downtown/lakefront area makes it a favorite destination for international visitors, locals from greater Chicago and the contiguous four state regions.  Numerous business professionals make MP an after-work hangout.

The performance, as part of the Jazz Institute of Chicago and Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs “Made in Chicago” series, was heavily marketed for over three months prior to the event.  This world premiere performance, which was free to the public, brought together over 12,000 people from around the world as accomplished musicians from the worlds of jazz and classical music collaborated to celebrate the music, culture and stories of Brazil. The Chicago Consulate General of Brazil was also in attendance. This international diverse audience in a family friendly environment provided an enriching cultural exchange.
Audio/Visual Media Documentation
The performance was well documented with six high-definition iso-cameras. Also documented (early that day) was an informative project symposium entitled, “50 Years from Sketches of Spain to Sketches of Brazil” sponsored by the Jazz Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs. The panelists included featured trumpet soloist, Wallace Roney, trumpeter Miles Evans (the son of Gil Evans), drummer Vince Wilburn Jr. (nephew of Miles Davis) along with Brazilian percussionists, Dede Sampaio and Felipe Fraga moderated by Robert Irving III.

Forward Looking Project Development
The SPO seeks to continue the development of Sketches of Brazil as a multi-media production with the addition of special effects and the display of Brazilian art, rainforest scenes, etc onto projection scrim.  With such critical acclaim and magnanimous audience responses to the Millennium Park the development of multi-media content will enhance the visual aspects of performances to create truly unforgettable concert experiences for audience over the globe.

Subsequent Performances

As 2016 is the 90th birthday of Miles Davis and the 25th anniversary of his departure, SPO is seeking to collaborate with players from various collages and universities with world-class music programs. The music is developed as part as a master’s class/workshop and performed with core group memeber of SPO.  One such collaboration will happen on September 26, 2016 at the Beantown Jazz Festival in Boston with students from the famed Berklee College of Music which has a focus on jazz performance and Boston University of Fine Arts-School of Music trains classical musicians.

Sponsorship Opportunities
The historical nature and educational value of this project is deserving of a documentary film. SPO is proposing that a documentary film on the project be produced as a historical educational and entertainment piece. As mush of the music was created with a focus on