Symphony, local musicians pay tribute to N.C. jazz connection

Cliff Bellamy, Durham Herald Sun: The audience at Sunday’s Durham Symphony concert will get an experience that is eclectic, ecumenical, and, to use Duke Ellington’s phrase, “beyond category.” Listeners will get their ears expanded with a new piece from the symphony’s composer of the year Steven Bryant, hear some arrangements of pieces from jazz musicians with North Carolina connections, and go to church.

The concert is a collaboration of many local musicians. William Henry Curry, musical director and conductor of the symphony, asked local musicians to take a look at the music of North Carolina musicians. He gave them a list of 12 compositions or arrangements by John Coltrane, Nina Simone, Billy Strayhorn and other musicians and asked them to pick something to perform. “I’ve learned enough working with artists to turn them loose on what they love,” Curry said. A grant from the North Carolina Arts Council allowed the symphony to hire more guest artists for the concert, he said. Click here to read more.