American Music: Month Celebration:  Marcus Roberts Plays Rhapsody in Blue
Sunday, November 9, 2025, at 4:00 pm
Monday, November 10, 2025, at 7:30 pm

John Morris Russell, conductor
Marcus Roberts, piano
Marcus Roberts Trio

Carlos Simon Four Black American Dances
James P. Johnson/Marcus Roberts, arr. Yamekraw
Carlos Simon Hellfighters’ Blues
George Gershwin/Marcus Roberts, arr. Rhapsody in Blue, F Major

A bold, soulful tribute to the roots and future of American music, this electrifying program honors the legacy of Black American composers and the vibrant spirit of jazz, Gullah traditions, and symphonic innovation.

Marcus Roberts, piano virtuoso and composer, brings his trio and signature brilliance to a program that redefines American classics—including his own deeply personal reimagining of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, complete with jaw-dropping improvised cadenzas, first heard with the Berlin Philharmonic.

Carlos Simon – One of the most sought-after voices in classical music today, the Kennedy Center’s Composer-in-Residence contributes two compelling works:

• Four Black American Dances – A suite inspired by historic Black dance traditions, from Ring Shout to Tap, with deep roots in the Gullah culture of Hilton Head.
• Hellfighters’ Blues – A powerful, jazz-infused tribute to the Harlem Hellfighters, commissioned and recorded by JMR and the Cincinnati Pops, and slated for release this November.

James P. Johnson’s Yamekraw – A rarely heard symphonic rhapsody now newly arranged by Marcus Roberts, capturing the sounds and soul of Savannah’s historic Black neighborhood.

George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue – Reimagined by Roberts with breathtaking spontaneity and invention, this timeless masterpiece shines anew through his jazz trio’s collaborative energy.

Thank you to our Performance Sponsor