Jazz meets the symphony this October when acclaimed Atlanta-born jazz pianist Sullivan Fortner joins the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for a special performance of George Gershwin’s iconic Rhapsody in Blue.
Fortner will take the stage at Atlanta Symphony Hall on Thursday, October 22, and Saturday, October 24, as part of a dynamic program led by Estonian conductor Kristiina Poska.
A recipient of the 2026 Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Award, Fortner is one of today’s most exciting jazz pianists. Known for his expressive playing and versatility, he makes a rare symphonic appearance as soloist for Gershwin’s celebrated work—one of the defining compositions at the intersection of jazz and classical music.
The evening begins with the music of George Gershwin, featuring Catfish Row: Suite from Porgy and Bess. Inspired by Gershwin’s groundbreaking opera, the suite brings together folk-inspired melodies, banjo and familiar themes including “Summertime.”
The second half of the program features Carl Nielsen’s powerful Symphony No. 4, The Inextinguishable. Written following the devastation of World War I, the work celebrates what Nielsen called the “elemental will to live,” with dramatic timpani, soaring winds and triumphant brass.
For Atlanta jazz fans, however, the opportunity to hear Sullivan Fortner perform Rhapsody in Blue with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is a special one. Fortner’s appearance highlights the continuing connection between jazz and orchestral music while celebrating the enduring genius of George Gershwin.
Experience the music of Gershwin, Nielsen and Sullivan Fortner in an unforgettable evening where jazz and the symphony meet.
Jazz 91.9 WCLK — The Jazz of the City.
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