Paying homage to a musical great
A national tour with Rodger Fox paying tribute to a musical legend is also a showcase of re-imagined recordings bringing together jazz and classical music as it makes a stop in Palmerston North.
Fox has recreated two recordings from jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker, made in 1949 and 1950.
The arrangements were originally played by a small classical strings section and jazz rhythm musicians, rather than with Parker’s standard bebop quintet.
Fox has assembled a group of musicians to present the ‘‘distinctive’’ arrangements for a national tour, showcasing what was at the time of the original recordings a long-held desire by Parker to record in a string setting.
In recognition of Parker’s bebop roots, Fox has also commissioned new arrangements of other Parker compositions characterised by fast tempos, virtuoso technique and advanced harmonies.
Fox said Parker was one of the greats and a leading figure in the development of bebop.
‘‘Charlie Parker played a pivotal role in the development of jazz and is a legend both as a player and composer. Through this tour we are honouring him for his versatility, contribution and how he pushed the boundaries.’’
Fox will be accompanied by American saxophone player Dick Oatts, an ensemble of jazz performers and the New Zealand String Quartet.
Oatts is an international soloist best known as the lead alto player in the Thad Jones/mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra from the late 1970s and still holds that role in its present incarnation, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra.
He’s accompanied vocalists such as Sarah Vaughan, Joe Williams, Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme and Milton Nascimento.
The Charlie Parker with Strings tour starts in Wellington on April 15, then travels to Palmerston North on April 16, Napier on April 17, Taupo¯ on April 18, Tauranga on April 19 and Auckland on April 20.