The Chicago Immigrant Orchestra will be returning to the Epiphany Center for the Arts on Sunday, December 21 after a well-received record release show at the iconic cultural venue on Sept 14 of this year. The Dec 21 performance, with doors opening at 6PM for a 7PM showtime, will feature guest musicians Joe Rendon on Latin Percussion, Romanian folk singer Ana Everling, and Malian Kora virtuoso Tani Diakate.
The kitchen will be offering "light bites" and there will be a specialty "NO ICE" cocktail menu tailored specifically for the show.
The CIO's debut album Sanctuary was recently lauded by the site Here Comes the Flood as "a tapestry of sounds, taking cues from their unique kind of folk music" and the upcoming show will once again present an eclectic mix of musical heritages from across the globe."
The Chicago Immigrant Orchestra, originally founded in 1999 by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, emerged as a vibrant expression of the city's rich musical diversity until the end of its initial run in 2004. Helmed at the time by Willy Schwartz, the orchestra brought together musicians from Chicago's immigrant communities, showcasing a global array of musical traditions. Though its initial run ended after 5 years, its influence lingered, leaving an indelible mark on the local music scene.
In 2019, a new chapter unfolded when the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events enlisted guitarist Fareed Haque (Blue Note Records, Garaj Mahal) and oud player Wanees Zarour to revive the orchestra for the 2020 Chicago World Music Festival. Despite the challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, the orchestra persevered, delivering a lauded virtual concert in September 2020.
Today, the rejuvenated Chicago Immigrant Orchestra comprises a 20-piece ensemble drawn from Chicago's immigrant communities, representing an eclectic mix of musical heritages from across the globe. Under the artistic direction of Haque and Zarour, musicians hailing from the Far East to Western Europe, Africa, and the Americas collaboratively shape the orchestra's musical narrative.
Embracing a fresh perspective, the New Chicago Immigrant Orchestra delves into the interplay between diverse musical traditions, weaving a rich tapestry that celebrates both their shared connections and distinctive differences.