The annual Symphony of Soul featuring the Marcus Roberts Trio was in addition a community event celebrating, Ellington Academy Students, Grand Rapids String Academy, and Mosaic Scholars. Grand Rapids Symphony of Soul is a creative interwind of Jazz and Classical, a toe tapping, freedom of celebrating diverse souls. The theme of freedom rang throughout the concert music beginning with all voices singing, “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing.”
James Weldon Johnson’s poem “Life Evry Voice and Sing,” sung by those who read the words on the screen set the stage for hope, perseverance, and Liberty. The voices of freedom usher in the Stewart Goodyear, “First Fruits of Harvest,” where the violins and violas …show more content…
There are no “try-outs” or invites to join the chorus, it is opened for those who desire to be involved in this performance. George Gershwin’s, “Rhapsody in Blue” with the Marcus Roberts Trio highlighted the toe-tapping evening.
“Rhapsody in Blue” began with it’s stunning famous opening, heart grabbing cadenza of the clarinet, along many solo instruments, drums, Marcus’ smooth piano, and oboe’s, flute, bassoon, horns, and more. The music drew in the diversity of Jazz, blues and symphony recalling the memories of 1920 segregated Jazz, in a successful attempt to proclaim everyone belongs. Gershwin’s Rhapsody filled the auditorium with unity.
The Marcus Roberts Trio consists of Marcus Roberts on the piano, Rodney Jordan on the bass and Jason Marsalis strumming the drums. The unique value of the Marcus Roberts Trio is that the piano was not central to the music, many instruments had equal solo parts. This created a shared atmosphere of weaving solos contributing to a unique sound of celebration. However Rodney Jordan sustained the band with his remarkable versatile playing on the bass. He was inspiring and moved the congregation to respond in applaud. The perfect drumming of Jason Marsalis had the hearts of the congregation