Paul Lay "Rhapsody in Blue Extended"

To mark the centenary of the premiere of Gershwin’s *Rhapsody in Blue* in 2024, Paul Lay has explored the many facets of this revolutionary work.
By combining the orchestra with his jazz trio, Paul offers his own interpretation of the 1942 version, adding three Gershwin pieces arranged and orchestrated especially for this line-up (‘Summertime’, ‘Nice Work If You Can Get It’ and ‘It Ain’t Necessarily So’).

Programme available in several versions
- Solo piano
- Piano, double bass and drums trio
- Symphonic (instrumentation adaptable to suit the orchestra)

To mark the centenary of the legendary *Rhapsody in Blue*, Paul Lay reinterprets the American composer’s seminal work with a completely free and daring approach. This piece, which breaks down the boundaries between classical music and jazz, becomes, in his hands, a realm of exploration, reinvention and musical jubilation.
Few jazz pianists tackle the standards with such subtlety, intelligence, humour and mastery. Every motif, every nuance is breathed into with new life, blending swing, lyricism and modernity, without ever betraying Gershwin’s spirit. The result is an elegance brimming with vivacity and a rare sense of musical storytelling, where the joy of playing rivals artistic rigour.
Alongside him are two exceptional collaborators: Clemens van der Feen, a double bassist with an elegant and profound style, and Donald Kontomanou, a drummer with a keen ear and a flair for subtle nuances. Together, they form a trio of rare cohesion, capable of creating a dialogue between tradition and improvisation, between the rigour of the score and the spontaneity of the moment, between collective energy and intimate pauses.
Paul Lay’s trio does not merely pay homage to a repertoire: it transforms it, breathing new life into it in the present. This concert is an invitation to rediscover Gershwin in a new light. It is elegant, inspired and magnificently alive!