Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club: A Jazz Portrait of Gershwin

Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club, led by its musical director James Pearson, presents a very special concert in celebration of the centenary of George Gershwin’s masterpiece, Rhapsody in Blue, first performed in New York in February 1924.

Featuring a jazz “chamber orchestra” – comprising of a jazz rhythm section, augmented with violin, reed, brass, and tuned percussion – the concert showcases a sparkling selection of Gershwin’s most popular and acclaimed work, performed across a stunning array of jazz styles. His first hit, ‘Swanee’, as Paul Whiteman would have played it, ‘The Man I Love’ à la Oscar Peterson, and ‘Lady Be Good’ as imagined by Benny Goodman.

In addition to a Porgy and Bess medley and An American in Paris overture, the concert will – of course – culminate with a complete version of Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody In Blue which has been specially arranged for this concert programme.

Expect an evening of truly world-class music, interspersed with anecdotes and stories, celebrating one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century and the centenary of his seminal work.

‘Full-on brilliance’ (The Guardian)

‘Outstanding players. For poise, balance and swing they’re a joy to listen to’ (The Observer)