Strings and jazz: a rocky marriage. Traditionally when strings are integrated into the world of swing jazz, the results are mixed at best. Sometimes the criticism is that the resultant sound is "too sweet", and other times the music fails to "swing". These are daunting challenges for jazz arrangers and composers who wish to expand their orchestrational palette.

These string quartet (and clarinet) arrangements of classic Gershwin melodies attempt to mitigate some of these challenges by carefully limiting traditional jazz triplet passages, allowing the clarinet to carry the burden of making the music swing, and by utilizing string techniques and gestures associated with Ravel and Debussy. The music is difficult, both technically and musically, but ultimately gratifying. ###

Cliff Colnot

Titles:

Someone To Watch Over Me/ 
'S Wonderful
The Half Of It, 
Dearie, 
Blues
The Man I Love
Let's Call The Whole Thing Off
It Ain't Necessarily So

For more information or to request a free sample contact:

Midwest String Rentals
(847) 530-3003