Porgy and Bess – Arranger, Orchestrator and Music Director

Posted by Kevin Toney - October 12, 2017 - Composer/Arranger - No Comments
Porty and Bess

Grammy–nominated Kevin Toney has adapted and re-orchestrated The Gershwin’s – Porgy and Bess Score from Diedre L. Murray version and has created a superb and visionary new score for a five piece jazz ensemble and cast. Kevin’s bold jazz interpretation of a great American classic was perform at the Ensemble Theater company in Santa Barbara, CA earlier this year with an outstanding cast of 14 actors. Kevin’s score received high praise for how it presented a full sound and a fresh and unique version of George Gershwin’s 1934 opera.

“With the 1930s plot moved to the roiling civil rights struggle of America’s 1960s, the tale of struggle, courage, failure, endurance and hope resounds with new passion under the direction of Ensemble’s artistic director Jonathan Fox and musical direction, arrangements and orchestration by pianist and jazz band leader Kevin Toney.”

– Rita Morgan – VC Star Review

“Ensemble Theater company (ETC) has got a certifiable hit on its hands with its first production of the New Year with a bold jazz interpretation of The Tony Award –winning musical The Gershwin’s’ Porgy and Bess”

– Montecito Journal

“The five member band, directed with intensity and stylish veracity by pianist Toney, will make most Gershwin fans forget, at least for the moment, the “Porgy” of huge orchestral backing and thunderous chorus.”

– VC Star Review

Music Audio:

  1. Summertime
  2. I Got Plenty Of Nothing
  3. It Ain’t Necessarily So
  4. What you Want With Bess
  5. The Storm Is approaching
  6. There’s A Boat Leaving For New York
  7. Bess, Oh Where My Bess