Siegel Schwall Band - Three Pieces For Blues Band And Orchestra (1973)

"It was during one of his first Chicago performances that Siegel was introduced to a musician whom he would later credit with changing the direction of his musical career. The introduction came through former Sun Times music critic David Noble, who insisted his friend Seiji Ozawa, then summer guest conductor of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra come see the band's performance at a club in Old Town." (Editor's note: David Prescott was a Chicago Tribune music critic)

"Ozawa walked into Old Town night life two seasons ago; in a week which he and the Chicago Symphony were presenting the local premiere of Charles Ives' Fourth Symphony. The Siegel-Schwall Blues Band (Corky Siegel and Jim Schwall), the first band he heard on Wells, became his favorite.
He wasn't recognized when he first appeared at Big John's, the bar where they were playing. And, because he didn't have any identity cards to prove his age, he wasn't allowed inside the door.

Ozawa took a taxi back to his hotel, picked up passport (which proves he's 31, even though he doesn't look it), returned, was admitted, and listened and talked until closing time. He came back each time guest conductor duties brought him to Chicago. In the summer, after the start of the Ravinia season, he became a regular. He traded musical ideas with the Siegel-Schwall group and urged them to make a record. (They did). Someday, he says, "Someone will write an orchestral piece for a group like this." (Editor's Note: The above story was written in July of 1967)

"Ozawa was impressed, he returned for many performances and suggested a blues classical collaboration. Siegel worked closely with Russo who then began composing and orchestrating "Three Pieces for Blues Band and Symphony Orchestra." The 1968 premier of the composition featuring the Siegel-Schwall Band and the Chicago Symphony was met with a standing ovation and critical acclaim."

"Three Pieces for Blues Band and Symphony Orchestra was commissioned, composed, and finally played with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to Ozawa's delight; 'It was a success. Some people think that this is a totally different side of music, but I see it as a convergence in the future. They (Siegel-Schwall) are fantastic.'" - Seiji Ozawa interview 1968 - Airline Magazine

Shelly Plotkin (drums)
Al Radford (bass)
Jim Schwall (guitar)
Corky Siegel (harmonica)

Seji Ozawa (conductor)
San Francisco Symphony Orchestra




Street Music op 65, - A Blues Concerto - composed by William Russo (total time: 31.18)

01. 1st Movement 8.16
02. 2nd Movement 5.18
03. 3rd Movement 8.52
04. 4th Movement 8.53

Three Pieces For Blues Band And Symphony Orchestra op. 50, composed by William Russo (total time: 24.17)

05. 1st Part 8.08
06. 2nd Part 8.58
07. 3rd Part 7.11

08. An American In Paris (Gershwin) 18.03

(Artwork included)

This posting is dedicated to
William Russo
June 25, 1928- January 11, 2003

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