Gerorge Gershwin could be considered one of the first jazz fusion composers when he wrote Rhapsody in Blue a jazz concerto that blurs lines between classical, pop and jazz. It was a hit from the first day it was performed in New York in 1928.
When Rhapsody in Blue is presented on October 22 at Toronto's Massey Hall, it will be a reprise of sorts, as Gershwin himself played the work there in 1934 along with conductor Charles Previn and the Reisman Symphonic Orchestra.
It's hard to think of a more ideal pianist to perform the work than Herbie Hancock, given his propensity for crossing funk, jazz and pop genres and shifting easily between electric and acoustic settings throughout his 50-year career.
Schooled as a classical pianist, Hancock was somewhat of a child prodigy, and played a concert with the Chicago Symphony when he was only 11. He drifted toward jazz early on, and it was when Miles Davis added him to one of his legendary quintets when he was 23 that his career really took off. Many collaborations and Grammy awards have highlighted Hancock's musical journey including one in 1999 for Gershwin's World.
On October 22, Alain Trudel will conduct the Massey Hall Orchestra and the program will inlcude:
"Catfish Row Symphonic Suite" from Porgy and Bess
Rhapsody in Blue for piano and orchestra
Selections for solo piano.
More information and tickets here.
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