• Tracks

George Gershwin and Chick Corea represent two different periods in American musical creativity but both have been involved as creators of music one might call Fusion, in the case of Gershwin a blend of Jazz and Classical ideas and with Corea the entwining of Jazz, Rock, and classical elements. The piano has been the creative voice for both men and composition an extension of the pianistic gift. It is very fitting that these two composers are sharing this recording since the one, Gershwin, helped to establish many of the musical ideas by which the other, Corea, has undoubtedly been influenced. Together their contributions cover an entire century. Doubtless what they have contributed will be considered in the future in the realm of serious art music. The Preludes of Gershwin are indicative of this composer's interest in writing in Classical forms. The two outer pieces are highly rhythmic and charged with great energy while the middle selection is an evocative Blues piece. The playing of these works requires an appreciation of the lyricism of the Blues, a standard American form of expression, and the highly rhythmic music popular in the urban areas of America in the early twentieth century. Leon Bates, born in Philadelphia Leon Bates took his first music lesson in piano and violin at the age of six. He studied under the late Irene Beck at the Settlement Music School and under Natalie Hinderas at Temple University. In his career he has won many awards and prizes and has performed with several of the leading world orchestras such as the Cleveland Orchestra and the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. His previous recordings for Orion records have met with critical acclaim.