Billed as a “historic concert merging jazz and classical music,” this PBS broadcast from Feb 28, 2014 includes a cd and dvd that mixes and matches classical, jazz and even a bit of folk. Top draw artists ranging from Bobby McFerin, Chick Corea, Dave Grusin and Terence Blanchard join forces with classical artists Eric Owens, Elizabeth Joy Roe and the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra for a celebration of sournds and genres.
Intriguing combinations include Terence Blanchard and Eric Owens making evocative sounds on Bach’s “Fugue In C Minor” while Chick Corea joins in for a passionate reading of Rodrigo’s “ Concierto de Aranjuez.” McFerrin gives a one man show on “Soloings, and Grusin is sublime while he and violinist Mark O’Connor deliver “Simple Gifts” and “Mountain Dance.” The cd closes with an enchanting take of Blanchard and orchestra delivering “Charade” while the dvd adds a few more tunes, such as “Also Sprach Zarathustra,” an exciting “Armando’s Rhumba” and McFerrin going it one more time on “Soloings 2”. Something for everyone here!
Okeh Records