The sounds of jazz and classical music filled a Chicago rehearsal space in the Uptown neighborhood as three young musicians prepared for the trip of a lifetime.
The scholarship students will travel to Capistrano, Italy, this weekend with the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic to take part in the R(e)volution of Third Stream Residency, a weeklong international symposium that brings together professional musicians and students through performances, education and cultural exchange.
At the heart of the symposium is the orchestra's "Third Stream" concept, combining jazz and classical music. Chicago Jazz Philharmonic founder and artistic director Orbert Davis said the approach is ultimately about bringing people together.
"We live in a world of conflict, and people judge each other by the externals of skin color and language," Davis said. "But when we go deeper into the culture and we share culture, we communicate at an entirely different level."
The three students earned their place through the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic's Charles W. Danish Scholarship program. Davis said they were chosen not only for their musical talent, but for the example they've set through years of dedication and hard work.
"They deserve this experience," Davis said. "They're the perfect people who deserve to go."
The students, who play French horn, piano and drums, have never traveled abroad before, according to Davis. While in Italy, they'll perform alongside members of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic while collaborating with fellow musicians and students.
According to the organization, the students selected for the trip are:
Morgan Chatman, a percussionist and producer who joined the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic Youth Ensemble in 2019 and has since performed at venues including the Harris Theater, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Hyatt Regency Chicago. His original music has also been featured at Carnegie Hall.
Aaron Alexander, a composer, producer and French horn player whose original works have been commissioned by organizations including the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, the Carnegie Foundation and Vandercook College of Music. Alexander also earned multiple honors in the 2026 Illinois Music Education Association Composition Contest.
Daniel Johnson, a recent graduate of Lincoln-Way East High School, pianist, organist, composer and minister of music. Johnson was selected as a jazz piano finalist during auditions at the Juilliard School and has earned top honors in the Illinois Music Education Association All-State Jazz Band.
Davis said sending young musicians overseas reflects Chicago's historic role in the evolution of jazz.
"Chicago is the hub for the world. Once jazz came to Chicago, it went all over the world," Davis said. "I think it's symbolic that we're sending students across the world."
Chicago Jazz Philharmonic traces its roots to 2004, when Davis and producing director Mark Ingram were invited to create a large-scale performance for the Chicago Jazz Festival. What began as an ambitious collaboration between jazz and symphonic musicians has grown into an organization focused on performance, education and mentorship.
Ingram said education has always been just as important as performance.
"We've been doing not just music performance, but music education for years," Ingraham said. "We're just changing lives through music because it changed our lives."
