Benny Goodman: not just jazz.Byline: Bob Keefer The Register-Guard So you think Benny Goodman Noun 1. Benny Goodman - United States clarinetist who in 1934 formed a big band (including black as well as white musicians) and introduced a kind of jazz known as swing (1909-1986) Benjamin David Goodman, Goodman, King of Swing was just a jazzman? Think again. "He was an amazing influence in many ways on classical music in the 20th century," says Eugene clarinetist Michael Anderson Michael Anderson is the name of:
Tonight at the Shedd, Anderson - along with pianists Victor Steinhardt and David Riley, violinist Kathy Lucktenberg and bassist Forrest Moyer - will examine the classical side of Goodman by playing classical music that the jazzman either wrote or commissioned. Among the pieces they will perform are Bela Bartok's "Contrasts" and Morton Gould's "Benny's Gig"; George Gershwin's Three Preludes Three Preludes are short piano pieces by George Gershwin and were first performed by the composer at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York in 1926. Each prelude is a well known example of early 20th Century American classical music, as influenced by Jazz. for Piano; Leonard Bernstein's Sonata for Clarinet and Piano and Igor Stravinsky's Three Pieces for Clarinet Solo. Anderson is especially enthusiastic about "Benny's Gig." "That's the real find for me in this concert," he said. Anderson, who also plays with the Eugene Symphony The Eugene Symphony is an American orchestra based in Eugene, Oregon. Its home venue is the Silva Concert Hall at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts. Approximately 22,000 people attend Eugene Symphony's classical and pops concert performances each year. Orchestra, was almost predestined pre·des·tine tr.v. pre·des·tined, pre·des·tin·ing, pre·des·tines 1. To fix upon, decide, or decree in advance; foreordain. 2. Theology To foreordain or elect by divine will or decree. to become a clarinet player. "My dad was a clarinetist," he said, "and there were always clarinets around the house. A lot of clarinet players are kind of nerds. A lot of them wear thick-rimmed glasses." You will be able hear Anderson's clarinet in action again on March 16, when the Eugene Symphony performs Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue
For the Farscape episode of the same name, see . Rhapsody in Blue is a musical composition by George Gershwin for solo piano and jazz band written in 1924, which combines " with its haunting, jazzy jazz·y adj. jazz·i·er, jazz·i·est 1. Resembling jazz in form or nature; rhythmical. 2. Slang Showy; flashy: a jazzy car. clarinet opening. "I'll play the opening lick," he said. CONCERT PREVIEW The Classical Benny Goodman What: Classical music by the jazz legend Where: Jaqua Concert Hall, Shedd Institute When: 7:30 p.m. tonight Tickets: $20 to $30 (434-7000) Extra: Pre-concert 6 p.m. dinner at the Shedd, $17.50, by reservation only (434-7000) |
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