Chicago hosts an important scholarly meeting next month, the National Conference for Black Music Research. The field charts the histories of neglected or ignored Black composers, reconstructs lost works and pursues knowledge of Black music of/by many cultures. The conference kicks off March 15, with an 8 p.m. concert by the New Black Music Repertory Ensemble ( BMRE ) under conductor Kirk Edward Smith, at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance.
Among those to appear with the BMRE are Horace and James Boyer, who were a renowned gospel duo of the 1950s and 1960s; also appearing is Cheik Hamala Diabate, a virtuoso of ngoni, a one-stringed African gourd instrument. Her impressive backup group includes string instrument players James Leva, Joe Thompson and Mike Seeger ( renowned brother of Pete and Peggy Seeger ) . ( 312 ) 343-7777; $15-$40.
March brings a battle of the bands as two jazz ensembles present concerts just a few days apart, the upstart Chicago Jazz Philharmonic and the established Chicago Jazz Ensemble. The late, great William Russo founded the Chicago Jazz Ensemble ( CJE ) nearly 40 years ago, frequently engaging trumpeter Orbert Davis as a guest soloist. Now Davis has put together the larger Chicago Jazz Philharmonic ( CJP ) , a 55-piece orchestra which spans the complete orchestral jazz repertory.
The CJP debuted last summer at Grant Park and Millennium Park. The orchestra's indoor debut March 4 at the Auditorium Theatre, 8 p.m., offers a baker's dozen of works from the repertories of Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Louis Armstrong plus contemporary symphonic jazz pieces inspired by Puccini and Stravinsky. The CJP also will play the world premiere of Orbert Davis' Chicago@173, in honor of the city's birthday and history. ( 312 ) 902-1500, or Auditorium Theatre box office; $29-$59.
The CJE, meantime, returns to the Metropolis Centre ( sic ) in Arlington Heights, March 10, 8 p.m., with a repertory ranging from big-band sounds of the 1950s ( often William Russo's own arrangements for Stan Kenton ) to the symphonic works of Duke Ellington. The CJE now is guided by artistic director Jon Faddis and music director Scott Hall. ( 847 ) 577-2121; $30.
Also on the jazz beat: Classic 1930s and 1940s big-band charts will rule the roost March 12 when the Glen Miller Orchestra plays a 3 p.m. concert at the Center for the Performing Arts at Governors State University ( far south burbs ) . The Glen Miller organization has endured for more than 60 years following the death ( in a World War II plane crash ) of its founder. Today, the ensemble is lead by trombonist Larry O'Brien. ( Miller was a trombonist, as was William Russo. ) The concert will feature vocals by Julie Rich and Bryan Anthony. ( 708 ) 235-2222; $28-$37.
Naturally, the month of March has numerous classical music offerings, among them a rare visit by London's Academy of St. Martin in the Field, with Gil Shaham as conductor and violin soloist. At home in London, this famous chamber music orchestra performs gloriously atmospheric concerts by candlelight in the 17th Century church of St. Martin in the Field, near Trafalgar Square. Alas, electric lighting will rule the evening March 1, 8PM, at Symphony Center, as the group performs works by Arensky, Mozart and Tchaikovsky; ( 312 ) 294-3000; $28-$50.
Chicago's own, great Apollo Chorus also has a March event, a performance of Bach's exuberant B Minor Mass, Harris Theatre, 3 p.m., March 5, which is precisely the same date and time that the Julliard Orchestra will perform at Symphony Center. The orchestra is made up of the best and brightest students of the world-famous Julliard School of Music, New York. The concert will feature works by William Schuman, Mozart and Bartok, under the baton of James DePriest, whose return to Chicago always is welcome.
There also will be chamber music both old and new. The Orion Ensemble will supply some of each in concerts in Evanston ( March 12, Music Institute of Chicago ) , Batavia ( March 19, Fox Valley Unity Church ) and Chicago ( March 22, Roosevelt University ) ; ( 630 ) 628-9591; $23. The program spans 225 years of music with trios by Mozart, Debussy and Charles Ives plus a 21st Century quartet by Erling Patrick Horn. ( 630 ) 628-9591; $23.
A March 14 program by Fulcrum Point New Music Project will offer, as always, cutting-edge chamber music and probably multi-disciplinary as well. In the 7:30 p.m. concert at the Harris Theater, Fulcrum Point and artistic director Stephen Burns will continue their year-long exploration of the four classical elements of water, earth, wind and fire. The upcoming program ( repeated May 30 ) will focus on wind and air. Tickets are $20.
Finally, Lyric Opera of Chicago continues a powerful season with celebrated countertenor David Daniels in Gluck's Orfeo, with performances Feb. 25-March 26 in repertory with Verdi's Rigoletto and Richard Strauss's superlative romantic epic, Der Rosenkavalier.