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DESCRIPTION

The Chamber Music Society of Detroit takes a deep dive into early 20th-century ragtime and jazz with multi-faceted pianist Aaron Diehl.  Equally at home with classical music and jazz, Diehl performs a program of rags by Scott Joplin and Eubie Blake, show tunes, light classics, and music of Harlem Stride masters James P. Johnson, Thomas “Fats” Waller and Willie “the Lion” Smith. 

With its “striding” oom-pah left hand, Harlem Stride became the rage in 1920’s New York as the ragtime of Scott Joplin and his contemporaries was transformed into jazz with a new improvisatory freedom, swinging, energized rhythms and virtuoso pianism.

Aaron Diehl connects this history to the present day, giving listeners a taste of what audiences might have heard in clubs, concert halls, and at-home “rent parties” in the 1920’s and 1930’s. Today’s virtual performances offer unique ways for communities to support artists and stay connected through music.

Program:
Eubie Blake: Charleston Rag
Thomas “Fats” Waller: African Ripples
Scott Joplin: Solace, A Mexican Serenade
Edvard Grieg: Anitra’s Dance, from Peer Gynt
Massenet: Élégie
Willie “the Lion” Smith: Fading Star
George Gershwin: ’S Wonderful
James P. Johnson: Carolina Shout

Aaron Diehl - American Pianist and Composer

A 34-year-old classically trained pianist and composer, Aaron Diehl has made an indelible mark on the jazz world over the last 15 years. While showing a rare affinity for early jazz and mid-20th century “third-stream” music, his latest evolution comes as he begins to tackle modern classical works, having performed George Gershwin’s piano and orchestra works with the NY Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, LA Philharmonic, and Minnesota Orchestra.

Diehl has collaborated with living masters ranging from jazz greats Wynton Marsalis and Benny Golson to 20th century classical titan Philip Glass. He has established himself as one of the preeminent interpreters of the Great American Songbook in his working trio and as musical director and arranger for the remarkable vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant.

The New York Times jazz critics have have extolled Mr. Diehl’s “melodic precision, harmonic erudition, and elegant restraint,” while the same paper’s classical critics have noted, “Mr. Diehl play[s] magnificently.”

A graduate of Juilliard, Diehl was named the 2011 Cole Porter Fellow by American Pianists Association, in 2014 became the youngest ever Monterey Jazz Festival Commission Artist and has released two critically acclaimed albums on the Mack Avenue Records label. He was the Music Director for Jazz at Lincoln Center's 2014-2015 New Orleans Songbook series and in 2017 participated in Jazz in July's "The Art of Tatum," honoring one of his primary piano idols, Art Tatum.

When he isn’t on tour or recording, Diehl enjoys spending time in the sky. A licensed pilot, one of his favorite planes to fly is the Beechcraft Bonanza.

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ABOUT CameraMusic:

"Musica da camera" (the Italian term for "chamber music") takes on a whole new meaning during the COVID-19 crisis, as musicians everywhere find themselves isolated and unable to perform for live audiences. CameraMusic is the Chamber Music Society of Detroit's answer to this, inviting artists to perform live on camera over the Internet from wherever they are. All artists performing on CameraMusic are being compensated for their work.

The Chamber Music Society of Detroit is able to offer these free livestreams only with the generous support of our listeners. Every dollar contributed to the CMSD’s CameraMusic Fund helps to pay musicians for their live CameraMusic performances. Thank you!