NEW YORK (AP) — Eric Clapton fulfilled his childhood fantasy as he took a turn on the jazz side, collaborating with Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for a little bit of swing at the orchestra's annual gala benefit.
"I've never done anything like this in my life
before," said Clapton during Thursday's concert, which saw the Rock and
Hall of Famer use his guitar skills to play jazz classics like "Joe
Turner's Blues," ''Corrine, Corrina" and "Ice Cream."
An admittedly nervous Clapton revealed that his
love of jazz music went back to his childhood.
"I wanted to be in a jazz band as a kid, but
the guitar took me away," he told the audience.
But for one night, at least, he was the star of
one, running through songs he'd selected — and one that he didn't.
"Here's a song that I didn't really want to
do," said Clapton. "I said the only way I'll do it is if Wynton would
make it sound like it came out of New Orleans."
Clapton and company then launched into a sultry,
jazzed-up version of his classic "Layla," complete with trumpets, a
trombone and a clarinet.
Marsalis praised Clapton for not only donating his
time for the event, which raised $3.6 million, but also for his deep knowledge
of the genre.
"The depth of respect I have for this
man...," said Marsalis as he lauded Clapton, adding that it was an honor
to play with the rock god.
"So much is not what it's said to be,"
Marsalis said. "This man is for real."
The concert also featured a guest appearance from
musical great Taj Mahal.
Copyright
2011 The Associated Press.
(AP
Photo/Julie Skarratt)
