Actor Morgan Freeman was in Dublin last night to MC a special performance by the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, entitled The Delta Blues Project.
The project sees the orchestra play with leading jazz and blues musicians, including trumpeter Jeremy Pelt in conjunction with conductor and arranger David O'Rourke.
Mr Freeman is a well-known blues fan and also the co-owner of the Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Speaking to RTÉ, he described blues music as "a lament" and said the collaboration with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra sees the music come "full circle".
Mr Freeman's partner in the club, Eric Meier, said the blues have inspired rock, jazz, hip hop and R&B but as a genre it has not really merged with classical music.
However, he said this project brings together work from two different environments to make beautiful music.
General Manager of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra Joe Csibi said renowned Irish jazz musician David O'Rourke "joined the languages" of jazz and orchestral music to create the world premiere, which takes place as part of the UCD festival.
The orchestra will also be recording with Mr O'Rourke next week for a commercial release.
