Duke Ellington Center for the Arts to Present Jazz Showcases, 7/31-8/17

The Duke Ellington Center of the Arts (DECFA) will present "Ellington, New York and the Essence of Jazz," a discussion led by composer and jazz scholar Edward Green on July 31 at 6pm, and "Summer Serenade with Bobby Sanabria," a concert by Sanabria on August 17 at 2:30pm.

The events will be hosted by Mercedes Ellington, the Duke's dancer/choreographer granddaughter, and Founder/President of DECFA.

The first event - "Ellington, New York & the Essence of Jazz" - is a dynamic talk with images and music that will be presented on Thursday, July 31, 6 to 8 PM, at the Friars Club, 57 East 55th Street in Manhattan, by noted composer and jazz scholar Edward Green, a professor at the Manhattan School of Music. Prof. Green will lead a discussion about New York's jazz scene over the decades and the musicians who led the New York Jazz Renaissance. The presentation will include rarely seen film footage featuring performances by some of the giant jazz figures of the 50th century.

There will be a Meet & Greet with light refreshments as well as Q and A session at the end of the talk. There is a suggested tax deductible donation of $25. Interested patrons must register for the event at www.thedukeellingtoncenter.org, or simply mail a check made payable to The Duke Ellington Center to The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts, 211 Duke Ellington Blvd, NY, NY 10025.

The second event is a "Summer Serenade with Bobby Sanabria" concert at The Woodlawn Cemetery's Woolworth Chapel in the Bronx on Sunday, August 17, 2:30 to 4:00 PM. Sanabria, an awardwinning Latin percussionist and faculty member at the Manhattan School of Music, will be supported by a group of Latin jazz musicians, singers and dancers in a performance titled Ellington Goes Latin: A Salute to the Music of Juan Tizol, Paul Gonsalves and more! Immediately following the concert, Mercedes Ellington will lead the audience on a tour of Woodlawn Cemetery's famous "Jazz Corner" where many jazz greats are buried, among them Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Illinois Jacquet and Lionel Hampton. The suggested donation is $25 at the door or $20 for those who register in advance by visiting the Support Us Page on the Duke Ellington Center web site and using Pay Pal, or by sending a check in advance to the Duke Ellington Center. The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts was founded to further knowledge about this American icon and composer, lyricist, bandleader, performer, artist, and writer.

The mission of the Center is to further Duke Ellington's creative legacy and his philosophy of human harmony "beyond category." The Center mounts performances marrying Ellington's music with other art forms, especially dance; and also sponsors a variety of educational initiatives. As funding for the Arts and Arts Education continues to diminish, the Center's commitment to these areas strengthens. The Center also strives to keep a historically accurate record of all things Ellington for the benefit of future generations. The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts seeks to inspire all people to become Ambassadors for Peace and Harmony through the magic of the Arts, one note at a time.

For more information, go to www.thedukeellingtoncenter.org.