Shasta Symphony Spearheads the Influence of Classical Music on Jazz & Beethoven's "Emperor" Concerto

April 9 2016:  This week's program explores how classical music has evolved and changed over the years, and in particular how modern jazz composers have drawn from the classics for inspiration in many of their jazz tunes.  In the first hour of the show we will feature a symphony by composer William Grant Still, entitled the “Afro-American” in which he drew inspiration from the rich history of African American music, including blues, spirituals, and jazz.  This symphony will be performed live next weekend in Redding at the Shasta Symphony concert.  Also in the first hour will be examples of jazz music influenced by classical music by such composers as George, Gershwin, Claude Bolling, Lalo Schifrin, Scott Joplin  and Wynton Marsalis.  In the second hour we will hear the powerful and beautiful “Emperor” piano concerto by Ludwig van Beethoven.