And All That Jazz - Classical Music for the Nonclassical Listener

Jazz music and classical have always been closely related. Composers and performers in both genres frequently borrow from each other. Some classical pieces may have a little jazz influence; some jazz performances may be classical inspired. And then there are the true crossover artists, the ones who successfully straddle the line between the two genres in a uniquely entertaining blend.

I offer for your listening pleasure classically-inspired jazz performances, jazz-inspired classical works, and classical performers attempting to perform jazz.

Let's start with one of the best-known classical violinists of all time, Jascha Heifetz, known for his impeccable technique and his restrained performance style. Here he performs "It Ain't Necessarily So," from George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess.

If you enjoyed that, you might investigate some of George Gershwin's other works, such as An American in Paris and Rhapsody in Blue. 

Next, the jazz singer Cleo Laine gives a performance of "Turkish Delight," her delightful arrangement of Mozart's "Rondo Alla Turca."

In the next video clip, famous jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli and famous classical virtuoso Yehudi Menuhin perform a duet. See if you can tell which violinist is which, just from the style and comfort of their playing in this particular style.

I'll leave you with a movement from On The Town, by American composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. Bernstein is a classical composer who frequently drew from other genres in his compositions. You might also enjoy Overture to Candide and Westside Story