Rhapsody in blue

With his trio, jazz pianist Paul Lay takes on one of George Gershwin’s flagship works. Composed in 1924, Rhapsody in Blue was created as part of a concert intended to bring classical music and jazz together in New York. Mission accomplished! First performed with a jazz band, the work—described as a “jazz concerto” for piano—was later arranged for orchestra, and its popularity remains a century later. At the piano for the premiere, Gershwin played the solos without having written them down. Faithful to this spirit, Paul Lay improvises in his own turn in this virtuosic rhapsody. With his trio, he celebrates 40 years of Marseille Concerts. A way of honoring a long friendship, built since his first visit more than fifteen years ago. Performed by: Paul Lay trio.