Another week of lockdown, perhaps with the snow outside again, probably a good thing!

If any of you clicked on my link to James Pearson’s Ronnie Scott concert last week, you will have by now seen the really interesting performance of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue”. A very interesting performance, especially considering the size of the orchestra, which was nothing like the size of the original Paul Whiteman Orchestra that first performed it. But they gave it one heck of a go nonetheless and all credit must go to all who actually played on the night.

Credit is probably a good word to use. Don’t forget that you can still contribute to the finances of all who put on the show by clicking on the links on the Ronnie Scott YouTube page and donating MONEY.

Watching from the comfort and financial security of your home will have saved you the cost of travel, entry, and the house drinks prices, so a donation is a reasonably request!

I was drawn having watched it to a performance of “Rhapsody in Blue” performed on CD by The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra with arranger and saxophonist Tommy Smith, (but more importantly for this piece of music),also with Brian Kellock on piano. This is an extended extrapolation of Gershwin’s piece, lasting nearly 54 minutes, with a full jazz orchestra and I would highly recommend that you go find it. STS013 is the number on Spartacus Records and it was released in 2006. No longer in print, but it can be purchased second hand, or you can search via Amazon Prime, Spotify or similar music search engines.

The Amazon sites write up (below) of the piece is even more glowing, but it is well worth a listen.

Orchestrated by saxophonist Tommy Smith, this Rhapsody in Blue of the 21st century was written to feature Brian Kellock and the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. The Scottish National Jazz Orchestra's 'Rhapsody in Blue' takes George Gershwin's classic jazz age concerto on an unprecedented adventure. Re-orchestrated by SNJO director, saxophonist Tommy Smith, it was written to feature Scotland's world class jazz pianist Brian Kellock, who played the original Rhapsody as a music student in Edinburgh in 1981. Familiar themes, including the iconic clarinet glissando and Gershwin's heartbreaking nostalgic refrain, have been used - respectfully - as source material and reworked into a fifty-two minute epic that flows through exciting uptempo movements, rhapsodic blues passages, a sensational Cuban fantasia and hard swinging jazz choruses, showcasing SNJO's magnificent ensemble playing and top class, creative soloing. The piece was premiered at Edinburgh Jazz Festival 2006, going on to further acclaim at London Jazz Festival, Brecon Jazz Festival and in concerts throughout the UK.

Not a lot more to go on about so far this week. I hope you are keeping warm, staying a safe distance apart from whoever you don’t live with, and are beginning to enjoy lunchtime TV!

One day I hope we will be able to see, hear and touch again, but in the meantime, keep searching out those jazz nuggets, and keep sharing them!!

Geoff