SYMPHONIC BLUES

San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
Seiji Ozawa conducting

Composed 1975 Recorded 1976
Russo’s Street Music: Guest Soloist: Corky Siegel

Composed 1967 Recorded 1973
Russo’s Three Pieces …: Guest Soloists: Siegel-Schwall Band

SYMPHONIC BLUES CDs "While Siegel-Schwall (head-over-heals in love with the blues) was in residency with the masters, like Howlin Wolf, Muddy Waters, and Willie Dixon, in the iconic blues clubs of the 1960's, I was also mentored at the same time by Maestro Seiji Ozawa and composer William Russo. My heart was suffused with classical music. In 1968 we all performed together with the Chicago Symphony in the very first 'symphonic blues' experience. I wouldn't be exaggerating to say that both of the two huge selling DG recording projects with Seiji Ozawa and the Sanfrancisco Symphony are historic."  Both of those pieces are together on this one album available for download at Deutsche Grammophon. - Corky Siegel  

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Symphonic Blues No. 6 (listen free)

“One of the thrills of attending the world premiere of a major composition is the possibility that it will go on to become an international hit. This may be the case with Siegel’s [Symphonic Blues No. 6]. We heard an artist of the highest caliber lead the orchestra in an extraordinary piece of music ..”– Lancaster News – 2007

Of the 6 symphonic composition commissions I have been awarded, Symphonic Blues No. 6, is the most popular and performed all around the world. The work is a community project funded by the fans.