Chicago Jazz Philharmonic

What Chicago Jazz Philharmonic does

Chicago Jazz Philharmonic (CJP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit performing arts organization founded in 2004 by Orbert Davis and headquartered at 1111 N. Wells St., Suite 501, in Chicago, Illinois. It operates as America's definitive Third Stream orchestra — a genre coined by Gunther Schuller in 1957 that merges jazz and classical traditions — presenting live performances in ensembles ranging from a 60-piece orchestra down to a double quartet, including original arrangements and world premieres delivered locally and through international residencies in Cuba, Bulgaria, and at U.S. universities.

The organization's product portfolio is unified around the Third Stream methodology and comprises five lines: live Performance (mainstage concerts and touring), JazzALIVE (in-school music education in partnership with Chicago Public Schools), Saturday & Summer Jazz Academy (intensive student instruction), Third Stream Residencies (immersive performance and cultural-exchange programs for partner orchestras and universities), and CJP NEXT (a free summer concert series). Underlying capability is rooted in artistic talent and repertoire rather than technology, with no AI, software platform, or proprietary tech stack disclosed beyond a standard Squarespace-built website.

CJP's business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue structure combining (i) one-time ticket and performance fees from concerts and touring, (ii) recurring donations and grants from individual donors, corporate sponsors, and a diversified portfolio of foundations and public agencies (Prince Charitable Trusts, Pritzker Traubert Foundation, Illinois Arts Council Agency, Chicago's Cultural Treasures, the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Caerus Foundation, Ozinga), and (iii) program-related fees from education programs. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and includes free-access offerings (CJP NEXT). The go-to-market is event-driven, with earned media coverage across major Chicago outlets (Chicago Tribune, WTTW, ABC 7, NBC Chicago, WGN 9, Chicago Reader, Chicago Crusader) amplifying audience acquisition, and CPS serving as the primary institutional channel for the education pipeline.

Name

Chicago Jazz Philharmonic

Legal name

Chicago Jazz Philharmonic

Website

https://chicagojazzphilharmonic.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Chicago Jazz Philharmonic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2004 by Orbert Davis that operates America's definitive Third Stream orchestra, delivering jazz-classical fusion performances and music education programs to Chicago audiences, CPS students, and international residency partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Orchestral Services

NAICS

Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Musical Groups and Artists (711130)

akta.pro primary industry

Arranging & Orchestration (MPAIAHAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College) (EDAMANAE)

Keywords

• Third Stream orchestra
• Live orchestral performances
• Music education programs
• Arts nonprofit organization
• Jazz classical fusion

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Performance Revenue: Ticket sales from concerts and live performances by the orchestra, ranging from full 60-piece orchestral performances to smaller ensemble configurations.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable contributions from individual donors, foundation funders, and corporate sponsors. The organization is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
3. Education Program Fees: Jazz Academy and JazzALIVE programs serving students in Chicago Public Schools and the broader community.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Chicago Jazz Philharmonic is a nonprofit Third Stream orchestra that produces live concert performances—ranging from a 60-piece full orchestra down to a double quartet—of original arrangements and world premieres merging jazz and classical traditions. It also delivers music education programs, including the JazzALIVE in-school partnership with Chicago Public Schools and the Saturday & Summer Jazz Academy, alongside international Third Stream residency programs for partner orchestras and universities. The organization offers a free summer concert series, 'CJP NEXT,' as community programming.

Product overview

Chicago Jazz Philharmonic is America's definitive Third Stream orchestra—a single unified performing arts organization offering live concert performances (ranging from 60-piece full orchestra to chamber ensembles) alongside complementary education programs. The core portfolio includes: Performance (mainstage concerts and touring), JazzALIVE (in-school partnership with Chicago Public Schools), Saturday & Summer Jazz Academy (intensive student instruction), Third Stream Residencies (international cultural exchange programs), and CJP NEXT (free summer concert series). The organization operates as a 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 2004, unified by its signature Third Stream musical approach that merges jazz and classical idioms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Performance (Full Orchestra and Chamber Ensembles) Live concert performances presented by CJP's ensembles, ranging from a 60-piece full orchestra down to a double quartet configuration. Performances feature original Third Stream arrangements and world premieres merging jazz and classical idioms, delivered locally in Chicago and internationally.
• JazzALIVE (In-School Program) In-school music education program operated in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, providing equity and access to impactful jazz music education for students in under-resourced schools and families in need throughout Chicago.
• Saturday & Summer Jazz Academy Intensive jazz music education program offered during summer months and on select Saturdays, providing Chicago students with instruction from world-class CJP musicians on ensemble performance and musicianship.
• Third Stream Residencies International residency programs combining immersive performance and cultural exchange through Third Stream repertoire. Partnering institutions include orchestras in Cuba and Bulgaria as well as universities across the United States.
• CJP NEXT (Free Summer Concert Series) Free summer concert series featuring contemporary and innovative jazz-classical fusion performances, open to the public at no charge as a community engagement offering.

Quantifiable outcome

• Thousands of students educated through Jazz Academy and JazzALIVE programs

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Chicago Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004JazzALIVE in-school program providing music education to under-resourced schools and students throughout Chicago Public Schools district.
• Orbert DaviscoreOthersFounded in 2004 by Gunther Schuller's Third Stream concept; Orbert Davis serves as Artistic Director leading America's definitive Third Stream Orchestra.
• WTTWminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia partner featuring coverage of CJP performances and programs.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Jazz at Lincoln Center: The leading U.S. jazz presenting and orchestral organization, also operating a resident big-band orchestra with educational programming. Directly comparable to CJP as a mission-driven jazz ensemble institution combining performance, education, and national brand presence.
• Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra: A regional jazz orchestra producing live concerts and education programming. Closely mirrors CJP's model of a jazz-rooted orchestral ensemble with educational and community engagement activities.
• SFJAZZ: A major nonprofit jazz presenting organization offering concerts, education programs, and residencies. Comparable to CJP in combining live performance with deep education outreach and artist residency programming in a major U.S. metro.

Emerging players

• Sphinx Organization: A national nonprofit advancing diversity in classical music through performance and education programs. Comparable to CJP in combining professional ensemble performance with intensive K-12 music education access for under-resourced communities.
• American Composers Orchestra: A New York-based orchestra dedicated to contemporary and American music, with a mission of expanding the orchestral repertoire. Comparable to CJP in championing non-mainstream repertoire and commissioning new works for orchestra.

Broad incumbents

• Chicago Symphony Orchestra: The dominant classical orchestral institution in CJP's home market. Comparable as a Chicago-based orchestral organization with extensive education programming, though operating at vastly larger scale and with a classical (rather than jazz-classical fusion) focus.
• Boston Pops Orchestra: A pops-style orchestra under the Boston Symphony umbrella that blends popular and classical programming with educational outreach. Comparable to CJP in seeking to bridge popular and classical audiences through hybrid programming.
• Carnegie Hall: A premier presenting organization hosting orchestral, jazz, and educational programming nationally. Comparable to CJP in its education-and-performance dual mission and curation of distinctive cross-genre programming, though operating at much larger scale.

Others

• New England Conservatory: A leading music conservatory that partners with ensembles for residencies and offers pre-college programming. Comparable to CJP as a partner in Third Stream-style jazz-classical training and as a node in the broader Third Stream ecosystem.

Regional players

• Jazz St. Louis: A nonprofit jazz presenting and education organization in St. Louis. Comparable to CJP in combining live jazz performance with substantial education programs, but operating in a different geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ChiJazzPhil

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chicago Jazz Philharmonic