PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
Composer/pianist Robert Irving III conducted the debut performance of the Sonic Portraits Orchestra’s world premiere of “Sketches of Brazil” to a record crowd of 12,500 people and received several standing ovations. The piece is his orchestral homage to his mentors, Miles Davis and Gil Evans, on the 50th anniversary of the recording of the pair’s classic, “Sketches of Spain.” The performance on the Jay Pritzker Pavilion stage at Millennium Park in Chicago on Thursday August 13, 2009 featured trumpeter Wallace Roney as the principal soloist, and classical guitarist, Fareed Haque as special guest, along with Brazilian percussionists, Dede Sampaio and Felipe Fraga along with Miles Evans on trumpet in the orchestra (son of Gil Evans). Conducting at times from the piano, Irving led a unique blend of 33-classical and jazz musicians. The Jazz Institute of Chicago sponsored a Symposium prior to the event with special guests from the families of Miles Davis and Gil Evans.
HEITOR VILLA LOBOS-50th ANNIVERSARY
The performance opened with Irving’s orchestral adaptation of Assobio a Jato by Brazilian composer, Heitor Villa Lobos (originally written for Flute and Cello). 2009 also marked the 50th anniversary of the passing of Villa Lobos. After three movements of the Villa Lobos adaptation, the performance transitioned to three of Irving’s own compositions including “Carnaval do Pão de Açúcar,” which celebrates Brazil’s carnival tradition, established in 1641, and “Canção para a Amazônia,” as inspired by the work of Brazilian painter, Totonho, whose painting, “Sonhando com Reforma Agraria” (Dreaming of an Agricultural Reform) is to be featured on the eventual Sketches of Brazil CD. Irving explains, “Brazilian music was developed via African and European influences. This can be heard in the music of Villa Lobos. The allure of this music, for me, is the uniquely subtle blend of European sophistication seamlessly juxtaposed with moving Afro-centric rhythmic undercurrents that characterize modern Brazilian music. I have sought to develop compositions that, likewise, unite these seemingly divergent roots.”
PLANS FOR REMOUNTING SKETCHES OF BRAZIL
Robert Irving III is actively seeking to remount Sketches Of Brazil, possibly with a Brazilian based orchestra in collaboration with musicians from the USA. Irving observed, "2016 marks the 90th birthday of Miles Davis and is the 25th anniversary of his departure. It is also the 30th anniversary of my first trip to Brazil with Miles. With the 2016 Olympics coming to Brazil, it makes perfect sense to me that such a fortuitous convergence of commemorative events, have a commensurate 'sound-track', namely, “Sketches of Brazil.” PBS (Pubilc Television in the USA) has also expressed an interest in producing the remounted project to air on their “Great Performances” series along with a documentary or docudrama on the project. The sponsorship opportunities for such a project are intriguing.
Irving is also completing his memoir entitled, “Harmonic Possibilities” for release in 2016.