Seventy-five years ago, George Gershwin played the Ravinia Festival, drawing capacity crowds for a program that included his "Rhapsody in Blue," "Cuban Overture" and "An American in Paris."
Tragically, a year later Gershwin was dead at age 38, the victim of a brain tumor.
Gershwin's death amounted to what must be considered the single greatest loss to American music. Certainly no other American composer, then or now, penned an opera as globally revered as "Porgy and Bess," a piano-orchestral fantasy as frequently performed as "Rhapsody in Blue" or a songbook as indelible as Gershwin's. Gone were the concertos, operas, Broadway shows and chamber music that Gershwin still planned to write. Had he lived, the course of American music would have flowed differently — and better.
Moreover, Gershwin also happened to be a sterling pianist, particularly in performing his own work. Recordings and film clips document the man's brilliance at the keyboard, and he was not shy about displaying it, typically planting himself at the keyboard and regaling listeners with his genius during late-night soirees in Manhattan. That tendency prompted Gershwin protégé Oscar Levant to famously quip that, "An evening with Gershwin is a Gershwin evening," meaning the composer tended to place himself the center of all musical attention.
Still, we'll never again hear a jazz-tinged, Broadway-savvy piano virtuoso to match Gershwin. But Chicagoan Kevin Cole comes closer than anyone working today. Gershwin's contemporaries said he made "the piano laugh," meaning it fairly crackled under his touch, and Cole alone among pianists achieves a similar effect in Gershwin's music.
He'll be the soloist for Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra led by James Conlon, in "By George! The Great Gershwin Gala," a benefit concert for Ravinia's "Reach*Teach*Play education programs. Also on the program: vocalists Sylvia McNair, Kelli O'Hara and Brian Stokes Mitchell.
"For me, Gershwin just has been a theme running through my life for about as long as I can remember," Cole once told me, in explaining his uncanny affinity for this music. His playing proves the point.
The late Edward Jablonski, who wrote the definitive "Gershwin: A Biography," concurred, telling me years ago that Cole "just has an innate feeling for the way this music ought to sound. … There was always this element of imagination in Gershwin's playing, and humor — that's one of the things that you find in Gershwin's rhythms, and Kevin brings that out."
Also worth hearing
Willie Pickens Quintet: He turned 80 three months ago, but Chicagoan Pickens remains a leonine presence at the keyboard. Better still, his pianism bristles with a spirit of invention and daring, which is made possible – in part – by a formidable technique. Pickens sounds impressive in all settings, but here he'll lead a larger ensemble than usual. His quintet will be staffed by several first-rate Chicago musicians: trumpeter Victor Garcia, reedist Ron Dewar, bassist Stewart Miller and drummer Robert Shy. 9 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Green Mill Jazz Club, 4802 N. Broadway; $12; 773-878-5552 or greenmilljazz.com
Neal Alger's Blue Note Quartet: The Chicago guitarist is best known for his work with vocalist-pianist Patricia Barber and, after that, his partnership with Chicago singer Typhanie Monique. But Alger fronts his own groups, as well, and lately he has focused a significant part of his attention on his Blue Note Quartet, which explores rarefied repertoire from the Blue Note Records oeuvre of 1955 to 1970. This includes music of Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Hutcherson, Jackie McLean, Horace Silver and Andrew Hill. When Alger unveiled the group, two years ago, it sounded tentative but promising, at least in its willingness to shine a spotlight on music well worth re-examining. Saxophonist Scott Burns and drummer George Fludas continue their work on this project with Alger, who has now recruited John Tate as bassist. 8 and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 4, 8 and 10 p.m. Sunday; at the Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Ct.; $20; 312-360-0234 or jazzshowcase.com
Corey Wilkes Group: When the energetic Chicago trumpeter is in town, he tends to blanket the scene, stepping up to practically every microphone within reach. This time he'll branch out from club settings and into the concert hall. Considering that the venue is the acoustically pristine Mayne Stage, this should be an ideal place to hear Wilkes, whose tonal sheen and technical finesse withstand close scrutiny. Expect hard-driving music with a touch of funk and a hint of the avant-garde. 9 p.m. Friday at the Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave.; 773-381-4554 or maynestage.com
Las Guitarras de Espana: The incendiary Chicago ensemble weds classic flamenco music with jazz, blues, Afro-Cuban, South American and other not-so-unrelated idioms. Since March, Las Guitarras de Espana (The Guitars of Spain) has been presenting its "Flamenco Collaborations Series," with a rotating lineup of guest artists. For this performance, the Chiara Mangiameli ensemble will share the stage. 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse Ave.; 773-381-4554 or maynestage.com
Hilary Ann Feldman: Chicago cabaret singer Feldman presents her show "Hollywood & Broadway: A Fine Romance," which explores classic American song repertory. She'll be joined by pianist and musical director Beckie Menzie, who has few peers in cabaret in Chicago – or anywhere else. 8 p.m. Saturday at Davenport's, 1383 N. Milwaukee Ave.; $15 plus two-drink minimum; 773-278-1830 or davenportspianobar.com
Jarrard Harris: In addition to appearing in the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, saxophonist Harris has been a busy sideman, collaborating with Nicholas Payton, Slide Hampton, Jimmy Heath, Joe Lovano, Claudia Acuna and many more. He doesn't step into the spotlight often enough, but he will on this occasion, playing the weekly show presented by the non-profit Hyde Park Jazz Society. 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Sunday at L26 Restaurant & Lounge in the Chicago South Loop Hotel, 11 W. 26th St.; $5-$10; hydeparkjazzsociety.com
Sunday Transmission Series: Curated by Mike Reed and Josh Berman, the series is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. This weekend's double-bill will open with the Anton Hatwich Trio, staffed by bassist Hatwich, trumpeter Jaimie Branch and drummer Frank Rosaly; followed by the Christoph Erb Quintet, led by reedist Erb and featuring cornetist Berman, cellist Fred Lonberg-Holm, bassist Jason Roebke and drummer Rosaly. 10 p.m. Sunday at the Hungry Brain, 2319 W. Belmont Ave.; $10; 773-935-2118 or umbrellamusic.org
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'By George! The Great Gershwin Gala'
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Ravinia Festival, near Lake-Cook and Green Bay Roads, Highland Park
Tickets: $70-$100 reserved; $15 lawn; 847-266-5100 or ravinia.org