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This Saturday morning, June 14 at 9 a.m., Classic 107 is diving headfirst into the world where classical music and jazz groove together. Why? Because the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival is just around the corner!
Kicking off June 17 and running through June 22, this year’s Jazz Fest promises a week of rhythm, soul, and unforgettable performances by global stars and local legends alike. From the virtuosic banjo of Béla Fleck to the Afro-jazz stylings of Richard Bona, it’s a celebration of genre-bending creativity. So we thought we’d get in the swing of things early with a specially curated playlist that blurs the lines between the concert hall and the jazz club.
Here’s what you’ll hear during our Saturday morning “classical with a twist” hour — plus a little background on each track to get you in the groove:
9:00 – A Kiss to Build a Dream On – Louis Armstrong
We open with a classic. Louis Armstrong’s warm, gravelly voice and unmistakable trumpet usher in the hour with this dreamy 1935 ballad. Originally composed by Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby, and Oscar Hammerstein II, the tune became an Armstrong signature — a timeless standard filled with heart and swing.
9:03 – Rhapsody in Blue by George Gershwin – Leonard Bernstein & the New York Philharmonic
Few pieces capture the fusion of classical and jazz as perfectly as Rhapsody in Blue. Gershwin’s 1924 masterpiece bridged the two genres with its bluesy harmonies, sweeping melodies, and big city bravado. In this recording, Leonard Bernstein pulls double duty as pianist and conductor — a performance as electric as the New York skyline.
9:21 – Konzert Jazz Suite by Leopold Mittmann – Gottlieb Wallisch, piano
A lesser-known but utterly delightful work, Mittmann’s Jazz Suite is a modern homage to the syncopated rhythms and playful spirit of jazz. Austrian pianist Gottlieb Wallisch brings a classical touch to a suite that dances between eras and styles, giving us a fresh perspective on jazz’s classical potential.
9:27 – Concerto for Clarinet by Artie Shaw – John Bruce Yeh & DePaul University Jazz Ensemble
Swing-era bandleader Artie Shaw was not just a jazz icon — he also wrote this incredible clarinet concerto that shows off both virtuosity and vibe. Played here by John Bruce Yeh (assistant principal clarinetist of the Chicago Symphony), this performance is a high-energy mix of classical form and big band firepower.
9:35 – Sentimentale by Claude Bolling – Jean-Pierre Rampal & Claude Bolling
French composer Claude Bolling was a pioneer of classical-jazz crossover, and Sentimentale is one of his best. Flutist Jean-Pierre Rampal floats elegantly over Bolling’s jazz piano, creating a duet that’s equal parts charm, sentiment, and swing.
9:41 – A Jazz Symphony by George Antheil – Oregon Symphony, Carlos Kalmar
Avant-garde and unapologetically bold, George Antheil’s A Jazz Symphony premiered in 1925 and raised eyebrows for its radical blend of jazz idioms with orchestral textures. The Oregon Symphony captures its spirit — brassy, brash, and boundary-breaking.
9:51 – Piano Concerto in G, 3rd movement by Maurice Ravel – Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G is infused with jazz — no surprise given his fascination with the genre after visiting the U.S. in the 1920s. The third movement is fast, flashy, and full of rhythmic surprises. The Montreal Symphony delivers a sparkling performance, closing out the concerto with flair.
9:55 – It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) – Django Reinhardt & Stéphane Grappelli
What better way to end our hour than with this Ellington classic? Performed by the legendary Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli, this recording oozes swing and charm. It’s the perfect send-off — and a reminder that no matter the genre, rhythm is everything.
So tune in this Saturday at 9 a.m. on Classic 107 to celebrate the best of both musical worlds — where concert hall elegance meets the cool confidence of the jazz club. And don’t forget: the TD Winnipeg International Jazz Festival kicks off Tuesday, June 17, with shows across the city until June 22. It’s going to be one unforgettable week of musical magic — and we’re just getting started.