(Switching Fashion Editorial):- Chicago, Illinois Mar 4, 2024 (Issuewire.com) – The Chicago Jazz Piano Festival at Pianoforte Studios Present Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue Centennial Concerts, & More Great American Classics – 2 Nights Only, March 29 and 30, 2024

A Celebration of the Rich History and Vibrant Future of Jazz Piano in Chicago

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In the world of jazz piano, all roads lead to Chicago this spring and fall with the launch of the new Chicago Jazz Piano Festival at Pianoforte Studios 1335 S. Michigan Avenue in the heart of Chicago. The festival features one weekend of Friday and Saturday night concerts each month in March, April, May, September, October & November, 2024.

March 29 and 30 at 7:30 and 9 pm, the centennial concerts of the classic 1924 George Gershwin groundbreaking work, “Rhapsody in Blue” will be performed by St. Louis Pianist Ptah Williams in a program of classics of the Great American Songbook, followed by the acclaimed Venezuelan pianist Benito Gonzalez in his only Chicago appearance of the spring.

Purchase tickets in advance at https://chicagojazzpiano.com

March 29/30 at 7:30 and 9 pm, Benito Gonzalez & Ptah Williams celebrate The Great American Songbook

It would make sense that Ptah Williams, one of St. Louis’ finest jazz pianists, is capable of shining in the centennial performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. He’s our choice for his amazing command of Gershwin’s historic work. He offers listeners a roller-coaster experience.  He’s as comfortable as a soloist alone or with Symphony Orchestra. His styles are innovative and overpowering at the same time. Ptah Williams has hands that just don’t look as if they should belong to a top-notch jazz-piano player but just one listen to Williams play the piano and you too will be convinced he’s one of the greatest in the world today. He’s got a uniquely percussive style that he dives into — especially in a solo setting — and can create enough rhythmic drive to make you forget he’s the only person behind the music. Williams is a versatile, accomplished and original pianist, and he continues to grow and develop as a musician. Just enjoy his marvelous treatment of Rhapsody in Blue and other standards of the American jazz repertoire.

Benito Gonzalez is one of the most in-demand jazz pianists from New York by way of Venezuela is spreading his musical aura around the world. This captivating inaugural piano concert will showcase the unparalleled skills of Gonzalez, a highly acclaimed musician with credits from the bands of Kenny Garrett, Jackie McLean,  Bobby Hutcherson, Pharoah Sanders, Gary Bartz, and a long list of many others. Benito Gonzalez is best known for his technical mastery as well as creative psyche that allows him to blend different styles and elements into a singular composition that takes the listener on a seamless musical journey. Benito is well revered for his deep understanding of the traditions of jazz music, and he applies a personal dose of creativity and talent that sets his solo concerts apart for the global audience of dedicated fans. Benito channels his musical aura through his instrument, and as a result, much of his music projects a free flow of spontaneous energy. Benito’s exceptional dedication to the music of McCoy Tyner has given him a tremendous command of the technique required to meander through the fluidity and literature of bebop and Latin jazz. 

The Great American Songbook emerged out of Broadway shows and Hollywood films to tell the story of America in the first half of the 20th Century, and remains as a foundation of modern American culture right through to present day. Along the way, Gershwin, Porter, Berlin, Rogers & Hart,  Mercer, Kern,  Ellington, Strayhorn and others became household names.  Gershwin himself began his career in the streets of Tin Pan Alley and Broadway, writing songs inspired by his love of jazz. Gershwin loved music of classical composers such as Ravel and Stravinsky. His first success at writing lengthier works became Rhapsody in Blue. Rhapsody was groundbreaking because of its novel approach and unusual juxtaposition of musical forms.

Chicago is best known around the world for its rich musical culture beyond all genres, and the Chicago Jazz Piano Summit is a great example of that.  It offers six weekends in 2024 for jazz lovers to enjoy a lineup of global jazz pianists performing in an intimate venue, with a pristine Fazioli F212 piano, great acoustics, and an environment that is as suitable for an artist as for the listener.   

The Inauguration event for the Chicago Jazz Piano Festival is all set to take place on March 29th and March 30th. Jazz lovers are recommended to purchase tickets in advance since there is a high demand and the number of seats is limited. Oh, Jazz! is the official streaming and on-demand partner of the Chicago Jazz Piano Festival, and WDCB is the official media partner.

Tickets available now

https://www.chicagojazzpiano.com/. 

Media Contact

Chicago Jazz Piano Festival

http://chicagojazzpiano.com

[email protected]

917-371-15371

PianoForte Studios

335 S. Michigan Ave

About the Chicago Jazz Piano Festival 

Spring Season March 29/30; April 19/20; May 10/11; 

Fall Season September 20/21; October 25/26; November 29/30Pianoforte Studios at Pianoforte Piano, 1335 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605