The No, that's not the Brian Lareshell theme music. That's Laura Downs, reimagining George Gershwin's

Rhapsody in Blue. By now you've probably heard that WNY is celebrating its centennial

this year, well it's also the centennial of that groundbreaking piece of

music and here's where I tell you about something cool to add to your calendar a celebration of both these

centenials.

Next Saturday, July 27th at 6 p.m. W.nyc. and St. Anne's warehouse will present Rhapsody for this land, the American Odyssey and

Music, a free concert in Brooklyn Bridge Park that celebrates a century of hope, protest, and

change, as expressed through American music.

We'll also broadcast it live on the station next Saturday at 6.

It'll be anchored by classical pianist Laura Downs, one of the best known classical pianists of her generation,

performing Rhapsody in Blue Reimagine. There will also be performances by Christian

McBride, Rose Ann Cash, Arturo O'Farrell, and others.

And we are so privileged to have Laura Downs,

pianist, arts activist, and host of NPR's Amplify

with us now.

Laura, welcome back to WNYC, so great to have you with us.

Good morning, Brian, it's great to be here.

Do you want to introduce Gershwin and Rhapsody in Blue?

Maybe it needs no introduction, but what made the composer

and the composition so groundbreaking

and so relevant 100 years ago?

Yeah, I mean, I guess it depends if you fly United Airlines. If you do, then you know the piece.

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