March 3rd 2019 Concert at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center
What the audience had to say:
“The Symphonic Jazz Orchestra’s concert was one of the most impressive and beautiful presentations of jazz history that I’ve ever experienced! Your intelligent eloquence in the presentation made it a profound learning experience.”
“What a supremely talented orchestra. And combined with the supremely gifted Bill Cunliffe, “Rhapsody in Blue” in its original version, truly shined.”
“It was so gratifying to see the packed concert hall enjoy both the newly commissioned pieces and the classic “Rhapsody in Blue.” Bravo to all involved.”
“It was one of the most moving performances I’ve experienced in concert.
Thank you for a wonderful and beautiful concert program.”
(L-R Music Director Mitch Glickman, composer Erica Seguine, composer G. Patrick Gandy, SJO Music Advisory member Billy Childs, soloist Bill Cunliffe)
This past Sunday, as part of the Carpenter Performing Arts Center’s “Arts for Life” series, the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra performed two world premieres along with Gershwin’s landmark “Rhapsody in Blue.”
The concert opened with Erica Seguine’s new work “Regeneration” followed by the world premiere performance of “Permission” from the winner of last year’s ASCAP Foundation/SJO Commissioning Prize, G. Patrick Gandy.
Conductor Mitch Glickman explained the historical importance of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” leading into an extraordinary performance of the original 1924 version of the work featuring piano soloist Bill Cunliffe, along with Dave Robaire on bass and Dan Schnelle on drums.
The free community concert was made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, along with additional support from the Music Performance Trust Fund, Tom Talbert Foundation, Herb Alpert Foundation and Ella Fitzgerald Foundation.