Helen Crayford
presents
Rags to Riches
"Crayford's playing took on the joyous assertiveness of the great stride pianists" Independent
Wearing appropriate costumes from the years 1890-1940, Helen Crayford performs virtuoso, syncopated piano solos by composers ranging from Scott Joplin and Jelly Roll Morton to 'Fats' Waller and Billy Mayerl. Be entertained and illuminated by the stories behind the music, as Helen traces the story of Ragtime and its transformation into the 'Riches' of early Jazz.
Rags To Riches was awarded a grant from the Arts Council's A4Express, with which Helen mounted her Gershwin centenary celebration, 'Lady, Be Good!' in the Purcell Room on 6th April 1998. As well as works by Gershwin himself, she performed pieces by his immediate predecessors and contemporaries, showing the context of his musical language. The concert built to an exciting climax with the performance of a newly-commissioned work by Richard Michael, which included allusions to George Gershwin.
Choose from six programmes:
Maple Leaf Centenary
Celebrating the centenary of Maple Leaf Rag in 1999, Helen traces the Rag from its origins as a slave dance, through its heyday in the early 1900s, to Tin Pan Alley and the Novelty Rag of the 20s, culminating in pieces commissioned by Helen herself.
Lady, Be Good!
A show to mark Gershwin’s centenary (1998) and celebrate his genius as a pianist. Hear the music that inspired young George in pre-First World War New York. Then follow the meteoric career of the song-plugger turned theatrical composer, through Rhapsody in Blue to his masterpiece Porgy and Bess in a 'stride' version by Scottish composer Richard Michael.
Stridin' thro' Harlem
Be transported to the rent-shout parties of 1920s Harlem and meet the 'Father of Stride', James P Johnson, as he competes with the likes of 'Eubie' Blake, Willie 'The Lion' Smith, 'Luckey' Roberts and the irrepressible 'Fats' Waller.
Fascinating Rhythms
A whistle-stop tour through the history of syncopated music, featuring Jelly Roll Morton, George Gershwin and 'Fats' Waller, all of whom took Ragtime as a starting point and fused it with Blues and Jazz to forge their own impressive styles.
Americans in London
Dixieland Jazz arrives in London! The show features visiting American performer-composers such as George Gershwin, 'Eubie' Blake, Nacio Herb Brown and 'Fats' Waller. Special attention is given to the music of our own 'English Gershwin' - Billy Mayerl.
Cakewalks to Concert Halls
A fascinating exploration of the influence that Ragtime and Jazz had on classical composers from 1850 to the present day, particularly those living in New York and Paris at the beginning of the 20th century. Featured composers include Gottschalk, Debussy, Grainger, Stravinsky and Gershwin.
For further information on 'Rags to Riches'
Helen Crayford: Diary Highlights | The Crayford Duo
Helen Crayford biography | Marcia Crayford biography