From Staff Reports 

UNC Asheville’s Music Department will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the debut of George Gershwin’s American classic, “Rhapsody in Blue,” with a concert titled “Rhapsody 100 (The Experiment Continues)” at 3 p.m. Feb. 4 in UNC Asheville’s Lipinsky Auditorium.

The event, billed as “the  crown jewel” of the 2023-2024 UNCA Loves Piano concert series, will feature a full orchestra, a jazz combo and distinguished soloists and conductors.

The first set will reprise, note-for-note, several concert pieces played at the Feb. 12, 1924, concert at Aeolian Hall in New York called “An Experiment In Modern Music” — the concert in which George Gershwin’s immortal “Rhapsody In Blue” made its debut.

 These selections will be directed by Russ Wilson — billed in a UNCA press release as Asheville’s ”Godfather of Jazz”  — with the “Rhapsody” piano part played by Dr. Hwa-Jin Kim.

The second set will include new and original works and arrangements from pianist/composer Dr. William Bares, trumpeter/composer Justin Ray and pianist/composer Richard Shulman, with Dr. Emily Eng conducting.

For tickets, which will be $35 in advance or $40 at the door for the general public — and $5 for UNCA students, staff and faculty, visit online at www.unca.edu.