The Marcus Roberts Trio and Wycliffe Gordon come together to showcase the development of jazz from Stride to Gershwin in From Blues to Rhapsody.

“You simply never knew when this rhythmic roller coaster ride suddenly was going to swerve in another direction — but you couldn’t miss a sense of exhilaration whenever it did.” –

Chicago Tribune, 2019

On Saturday 2 July, The Grange Festival is proud to play host to a rare appearance in the UK of four great American jazz stars. The Marcus Roberts trio – a partnership between pianist Marcus Roberts, drummer Jason Marsalis and bassist Rodney Jordan – collaborate with the unique talents of musical polymath Wycliffe Gordon (vocals and multi-instruments) in an evening produced by Piers Playfair.

While most jazz trios have the piano as the centrepiece, the Marcus Roberts Trio share equally in shaping the music, changing the tempo, mood, texture or form at any time, showcasing each individual member’s talent. Percussionist Jason Marsalis, the youngest of the Marsalis brothers, has been performing with Marcus Roberts since 1995 while Rodney Jordan, one of the most versatile bassists on the jazz scene, joined the trio in 2009.

Marcus Roberts is known for his remarkable ability to blend the jazz and classical idioms to create something new, and will perform his own unique improvisatory version of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, as well as collaborating with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra and conductor Gavin Sutherland.

Multi-instrumentalist Wycliffe Gordon, an original member of the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra and previous member of the Wynton Marsalis Septet, collaborates with the trio in this unique evening to showcase the development of Jazz.

Unfortunately for readers interested in the Marcus Roberts event it has sold out. However, you can contact the Box Office for the wait list and returns. I have had the pleasure of seeing the Marcus Roberts Trio play live and can assure you that they are a trio well worth seeing and hearing live … if you get the chance. Alternatively, I can recommend the album Portraits in Blue, which can be found on the Sony Classical label (SK68488), recorded by Marcus Roberts with members of the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra conducted by Robert Sadin.

To find out more about The Grange Festival season just click here.