If Bach and Miles Davis sat down for a drink, what would they have in common? Dave Brubeck might have an idea.

The legendary jazz pianist and classical composer, in residency this week at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, presents his ground-breaking oratorio “The Light in The Wilderness” tonight in conjunction with the University Symphony Orchestra and combined Concert Choir and Chorus.

“(Brubeck) crosses genres, he crosses generations, he crosses borders and boundaries in all kinds of ways and always has,” said University Jazz Studies Director Steve Dancz. “There aren’t a lot of people who can cross genres between classical and jazz.”

Indeed, the residency is aimed at no specific wing of the Hodgson School of Music.

“It’s not just students studying jazz – it’s all our students,” said Associate Director of Choral Activities Mitos Andaya. “It’s rare that we bring visiting artists that can incorporate all the aspects of the school of music.”

For Brubeck, the inspiration for the piece came from a place many in tonight’s collegiate supporting cast may take for granted each day – the classroom.

“The original title was ‘The Temptations and the Teachings of Christ,’ and that comes from what I learned in a religion course in college,” he said. “If I hadn’t taken that, I’m not sure I would have written it.”

Coupled with the connection of the work’s schooling-based inspiration is its timely performance as the Christian world enters the Lenten season – the same season in which the spell-binding work premiered four decades prior.

“What’s interesting about the piece is how timely it is,” said Dancz. “A great piece of art goes beyond its time period and will continue to be of purpose long after it’s written.”

Seasons and anniversaries aside, the chance for students to perform alongside a legend is remarkable in itself.

“It’s a lifetime opportunity,” said Andaya. “While they may always have a chance to perform this music, very rarely does anyone have a chance to perform with one of the great American icons.”

And as for the composer?

“I’m just thrilled that somebody would take the time and the effort to do it, because it’s very difficult,” Brubeck said with a chuckle. “The performance of a piece depends on so many things – you’re just fortunate when it all comes together the way you thought it could.”