In-Person/Virtual Concert Tomorrow Night To Feature George Gershwin, J.S. Bach, Aaron Diehl And The Knights

Pianist Aaron Diehl’s dual brilliance in jazz and classical music makes him the ideal collaborator in a concert, both in person and virtual, tomorrow night with the Knights, a collective of adventurous musicians, at 92Y in New York that will probe the interconnectivity of these two sound worlds.

The program will feature Diehl and the Knights performing Gershwin’s iconic, irresistible Rhapsody in Blue and genre-crossing trailblazer Mary Lou Williams’ Zodiac Suite. It will also also feature the Knights’ joyful rendition of Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, closing with Stravinsky’s dazzling, color-drenched Firebird Suite.

The Knights are dedicated to transforming the orchestral experience and eliminating barriers between audiences and music. Driven by an open-minded spirit of camaraderie and exploration, they inspire listeners with vibrant programs rooted in the classical tradition and passion for artistic discovery. They are in residence this season at 92Y, its first large ensemble in residence since the Y Chamber Symphony was in residence under Gerard Schwarz from 1977 to 1986.

The Knights evolved from late-night chamber music-reading parties with friends at the Brooklyn home of violinist Colin Jacobsen and cellist Eric Jacobsen. The Jacobsen brothers together serve as artistic directors of the Knights, with Eric as conductor. The Knights are celebrated globally, appearing across the world’s most prestigious stages, including those at 92Y, Tanglewood Music Center, Ravinia Music Festival, the Kennedy Center, the Vienna Musikverein and Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie. The orchestra has collaborated with many renowned soloists including Yo-Yo Ma, Dawn Upshaw, Béla Fleck and Gil Shaham.

One of the premier pianists of his generation, Diehl has made an indelible mark on the jazz world in the last 15 years—as a soloist, as pianist of choice for vocal sensation Cécile McLorin Salvant and touring with Wynton  Marsalis. But he arrived in jazz as a classically trained Juilliard graduate.

The 92Y concert will be available for viewing online for 72 hours from the time of its broadcast.