Richard C. Alston to perform Gershwin's "Rhapsody In Blue" & "Yamekraw: A Negro Rhapsody" by James P. Johnson in February 2016 with University City S.O.

Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges (1745-1799), James P. Johnson (1894-1955) and William Grant Still (1895-1978) are profiled at AfriClassical.com, which features Bibliographies and Works Lists for Johnson and Still by Dr. Dominique-René de Lerma, www.CasaMusicaledeLerma.com.

Pianist Richard C. Alston writes:

Hello Bill,

    I am very excited to announce that I will perform both "Rhapsody In Blue" by George Gershwin and "Yamekraw: A Negro Rhapsody" by James P. Johnson in February 2016 with the University City Symphony Orchestra with Maestro Leon Burke in St. Louis, Missouri. Many are familiar with "Rhapsody In Blue" but "Yamekraw: A Negro Rhapsody" is rarely performed. "Yamekraw" was orchestrated by William Grant Still" and Fats Waller was the pianist for the premier at Carnegie Hall. It is an honor to perform these two works in the same concert.

   Maestro Burke's vision for the 2015-2016 season is "Black Art Matters."  In addition to "Yamekraw"  the University City Symphony will perform on additional concerts:

Le Chevalier de Saint-Georges      Symphony No. 2

Fred Onovwerosuoke                    Suite No. 4 for Orchestra (with guest African dancers)

William Grant Still                         Symphony No.2 (African American")

and MORE!!!!!!!!

As a preview, here is my performance of "Yamekraw"

"Yamekraw: A Negro Rhapsody" Part One

https://youtu.be/cbXyxg1SsaI   

"Yamekraw: A Negro Rhapsody" Part Two

https://youtu.be/fq-9ANEssvw

Harmoniously,

Richard