The Phil’s Jazz Inspirations

Jazz Inspirations, the Norwich Phil’s final concert of the season at the Norfolk Events Centre on Saturday 5th April, features both choir and orchestra in music inspired by jazz, including the work that first really brought jazz in to the concert hall – George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, with pianist Jill Morton as soloist.

Under their conductor Matthew Andrews, the orchestra also play American in Paris, Gershwin’s love letter to the French capital (famously turned in to a dance film featuring Gene Kelly), and the jazzy Latin sounds of Danzon No.2 by Mexican composer, Arturo Marquez.

The two choral pieces in the programme are also jazz-inspired – Constant Lambert’s The Rio Grande and Rutter’s Feel The Spirit.  Conducted by their new choral conductor, Ashley Grote, the Phil Chorus are joined by mezzo-soprano Judy Louie Brown for the syncopated jazzy rhythms of The Rio Grande and for John Rutter’s colourful celebration of well-known spirituals, ending with a rousing version of When the Saints Go Marching In.

Pianist Jill Morton is in for a busy night – as well as Rhapsody in Blue, she is piano soloist in The Rio Grande and also plays the prominent piano part in the Danzon No. 2.

Tickets priced at £22 and £15 (£8 for under 26) are available online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/norwichphil