Susanne Wiedmann und George Bailey - Biographisches Gespräch mit Musik

In the organizer's words:

For over 40 years, pianist George Bailey accompanied the training and rehearsals of the Stuttgart Ballet. With his playing, he saved the dancers through long, hard days and preferred to play jazz instead of classical music. In 1972, the legendary choreographer John Cranko brought him into his company, Bailey became their favorite, world-famous choreographers such as John Neumeier and Maurice Béjart only wanted to work with him as a pianist. In her biography, author Susanne Wiedmann tells Bailey's extraordinary, even dazzling life story, describing his everyday life in the ballet hall and behind the scenes of the theater - and his penchant for exquisite fashion.
Together they will create an evening of readings, talks and live music. George Bailey plays from his rich repertoire on the piano.

George Bailey was born into a family of musicians in Denver in 1944. His grandfather was a violinist and composer. His house was a meeting place for famous jazz musicians such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie. However, Bailey's grandfather was unable to realize his dream of playing classical violin in a symphony orchestra until his death. "His career could have been different if he hadn't been a man of color," says George Bailey. And he has never forgotten what his mother said to him when he was a boy. "George, not a day will go by that you won't be reminded of the color of your skin."

George Bailey received piano lessons from her, a trained pianist, before studying art and music at the University of Denver. He narrowly escaped the Vietnam War and came to Heidelberg for military service. He met John Cranko at a party thrown by a dentist in Stuttgart. Former prima ballerina Marcia Haydée says of him: "George didn't just play the piano, he understood us. He gave us strength."