Rhapsody in Blue turns 100: Celebrating Gershwin with the Dunedin City Jazz Orchestra

Rhapsody in Blue turns 100: Celebrating Gershwin with the Dunedin City Jazz Orchestra

"Jazz, they said, had to be in strict time. It had to cling to dance rhythms. I resolved, if possible, to kill that misconception with one sturdy blow. [...] The rhapsody, as you see, began as a purpose, not a plan. I tried to conceive the composition as a whole. I heard it as a sort of musical kaleidoscope of America – of our vast melting-pot, of our unduplicated national pep, of our blues, our metropolitan madness.” –  George Gershwin 

Join us for a special evening at the Dunedin Jazz Club as the Dunedin City Jazz Orchestra (DCJO) pays tribute to the legendary George Gershwin, marking the centenary of the first performance of his iconic "Rhapsody in Blue." This masterpiece, originally composed for piano and orchestra, features instantly recognizable themes and has been arranged for various ensembles, including the Jazz Big Band. 

In addition to "Rhapsody in Blue," arranged for Big Band by the renowned Gordon Goodwin, the DCJO will perform an array of Gershwin’s most beloved songs, brought to life by our talented vocalist, Jodi Benson. Expect to hear classics like "Summertime," "Oh Lady Be Good," "It Ain't Necessarily So," "Strike Up the Band," "Somebody Loves Me," "Embraceable You," "How Long Has This Been Going On," "'S Wonderful," and more! These tunes make up the very fabric of the Great American Songbook and illustrate the collective impact of Gershwin upon the jazz tradition.

Rhapsody in Blue was composed in 1924 for solo piano and jazz band, and expertly fuses classical music with jazz elements. It premiered under the direction of bandleader Paul Whiteman, with Gershwin himself at the piano. Whiteman's arranger, Ferde Grofé, orchestrated the piece several times. Its New York City debut marked a pivotal moment in American musical history, solidifying Gershwin's reputation as a foremost composer and becoming one of the most beloved concert works. The opening clarinet glissando of ‘Rhapsody in Blue’ is now as instantly recognizable as the opening notes of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony

The Dunedin City Jazz Orchestra, a beloved local institution, has delighted audiences for over 35 years. The band, led by the multi-talented local musician Nick Cornish, boasts many of the finest jazz players in town, including Ralph Miller and Mike Gaches on trumpet, Peter Claman on the trombone, Daniel Potter on the double bass, Kevin Finigan on the drums, as well as Cornish himself on the alto. Their impressive history includes tours across the South Island, Australia, the West Coast of the USA, and even a performance at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival under the direction of their founder, Calder Prescott.

Event Details:

Saturday, 31 August, 7:30 pm

Dunedin Jazz Club @ Hanover Hall

Timings:

7 pm - Doors open

7:30 pm - Set One

8:15 pm - Break

8:30 pm - Set Two

9:45 pm - Finish

Tickets:

www.dunedinjazz.club

Adult: $28.75 (includes $3.75 GST) Cash $30

Senior / Unwaged: $23 (includes $3 GST) Cash $25

Student: $17.25 (includes $2.25 GST) Cash $20