In collaboration with Fondazione La Società dei Concerti
An original production by Musicamorfosi, Rhapsody & Blues is, as the title suggests, a rhapsodic performance featuring the very best of young Mediterranean musical talent: Menorca-born pianist and composer Marco Mezquida with his trio, Badrya Razem, an Italian singer of Algerian origin based in Bari, and the Canova Chamber Orchestra, conducted by its 31-year-old founder Enrico Pagano and composed of some of Italy’s finest young professionals.
The concert opens with Marco Mezquida’s unique, original rendition of George Gershwin’s masterpiece, specially arranged for jazz trio and orchestra. Mezquida stands out as one of the most brilliant, versatile, and distinctive voices on the Spanish music scene, possessing a personal style that transcends genres to seamlessly span jazz, classical, improvisation, folk, flamenco, fado, contemporary music, and pop. Rhapsody & Blues continues by intertwining classic Dave Brubeck pieces with Gershwin’s famous ballads and iconic hits by Queen, the legendary rock band led by Freddie Mercury. Blue Rondo à la Turk, Bohemian Rhapsody, Blue Shadows On The Street, Summertime, Love Of My Life, and the lesser-known yet equally breathtaking You Take My Breath Away weave together with surprising ease and convincing fluid power. Much of this magic belongs to the crystalline, magnetic voice of Badrya Razem—a singer trained in both Jazz and Classical Vocal Performance who moves effortlessly across soul, jazz, pop, songcraft, and beyond.
Line up
Badrya Razem – vocals
Marco Mezquida – piano
Marko Lohikari – bass
David Xirgu – drums
Canova Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Enrico Pagano
