Jazz and the Philharmonic

Jazz and the Philharmonic is a pioneering and mesmerizing concept in the world of music, realized and executed splendidly on screen in 2014. Presented in a beautifully filmed concert captured live and in stunning high definition at The New World Center, Miami Beach, Florida, this concert cum feature movie features a unique amalgamation of jazz and classical music coming together to form a sensational musical extravaganza like no other.

The cast list is adorned by the names of some of the most respected and legendary musicians in the global music scene. Shelly Berg, a truly celebrated figure in contemporary jazz, known for his unmatched skill and talent as a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and producer. He is a multiple Grammy-nominee and Dean of the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. His presence enlivens the otherwise fierce edge of the event, rendering it a soft, glowing hue of soothing melodies.

Alongside Berg, is Grammy-winning trumpet player, composer, and music educator, Terence Blanchard, whose jazz prowess and captivating personality adds depth and gravity to the overall performance. His intense rhythm and riveting tunes cast a spell of enchantment over the audience, while his improvisational skills provide a magnetic spontaneity to the show.

Chick Corea, the world-renowned American jazz composer, keyboardist, and bandleader forms another feather in the cap of this delightful movie. Corea, celebrated for his contributions to both jazz and jazz fusion synergizes his improvisational prowess with a keen understanding of classical sensibilities to create a distinctive soundstage that’s as emotive as it is virtuosic.

Amidst such musical masters, stands the University of Miami's Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra. A world-class ensemble of highly-gifted music students, every single one of them bright, brilliant, and bubbling over with creative talent. This youthful yet magnificent ensemble of skilled musicians plays an integral role in the success of the concert, as they perfectly complement the jazz trio's performances.

The feature takes its audience on an exploration of music, blending seemingly disparate genres to find the common heart beating within them. It traverses the realms of improvisation and formal structure, melodic freedom, and harmonic constraint, developing a rich tapestry of layers where one can find elements ranging from Mozart to Coltrane.

Jazz and the Philharmonic is not just a mere movie but a musical journey that fosters a dialogue between different musical traditions and styles. It brings the wild passion of jazz in a musical conversation with the formal finesse of classical orchestration. It offers the audience the opportunity to experience a performance where famous jazz tunes are being reconfigured within the classical structure.

The breakthrough moment in this movie is when one observes a blurring of boundaries, the faint emerging melodies at the horizon where jazz melts into classical or classical seeping into jazz. It’s a world of musical fluidity where styles respond to each other, techniques emulate one other, and masters learn from their juniors. It’s a world where the melody of a song is not forsaken in the name of improvisation, where the purity of a chord is not lost in complex harmonies.

Jazz and the Philharmonic express a mature, interpretive dance between genres, a delightfully-tuned dialogue between forms, and a heartwarming fusion of styles. It is an odyssey that invites the audience in, making them a part of the confluence of musical identities, coaxing them into the center of the whirlpool of rhythms, tempos, and tones.

Through riveting solos, dynamic duets, and powerful full-orchestra soundscapes, the audience is guided through an audible world constructed by the masters of music. Rigorously rehearsed, yet full of improvisational freedom, the playing exhibits an exuberant spontaneity within disciplined structures. It is a testament to the chops, creativity, and charisma of the stellar line up of musicians involved.

This film is a must-watch not just for those who are passionate about music but for anyone who wishes to witness an extraordinary display of talent, creativity, and musical excellence. Jazz and the Philharmonic pull down the walls between genres and in the process, transcends into a realm of pure, elemental music that speaks directly to the heart. It is a space where the soul of jazz intertwines with the spirit of classical, creating a universal language that resounds with the true essence of music.