Morning Song

Only a few short years ago, jazz and classical music were considered separate and mutually exclusive worlds. No musician, it was believed, could operate in both. But in the last 2 decades, a new breed of musician, at ease and adept in both, has emerged. And one of the most respected – by fellow musicians and listeners alike – is a Bostonian named Roger Kellaway. He is considered one of the major jazz pianists of our time; critic Leonard Feather, who does not use the word lightly, has used the term “genius”. Kellaway received an Academy Award nomination for his score to Barbara Streisand’s film “A Star is Born”. In 1970 he composed a ballet, “Pamigg”, for George Balanchine and the New York City Ballet Company. As pianist or arranger, he has recorded well over 100 albums, working with artists such as Carmen Mc Rae, Melanie, George Harrison and Ben Webster. In the jazz world, with Clark Terry, Bob Brookmeyer, Oliver Nelson, Kenny Burrell, Gerry Mulligan, Sonny Rollins, Wes Montgomery, John Klemmer and many others. He was at one time the late Bobby Darin’s music director and accompanist. The Roger Kellaway Cello Quartet, which recorded 3 albums in the early 70’s has taken on an almost legendary status in the music world. Brazilian pianist Sergio Mendes has said that if he had to select five albums to take to a desert island for the rest of his life, a Cello Quartet album would be among them. Roger Kellaway’s range of musical styles within which he works is astonishing.The Morning Song arranged for tuba & brass band by Pascal Favre The Morning Song for Tuba and Piano (written for tubist Roger Bobo and recorded for Crystal Records CD396, with composer Roger Kellaway on piano) has been a staple of the tuba repertoire for decades. it is an elegantly bouncing work - between jazz and classic - and since the publication in 1979 of the orginial version for tuba & piano worldwide successful.