Duke Ellington News

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, in collaboration with the Aspen Institute Arts Program, Citizen University, and the Annenberg Foundation and The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, presents the 2017 Kennedy Center Arts Summit: Activating Citizen Artists. Exploring JFK Ideals. Creating Cultural Moonshots. The Arts Summit will take place on Saturday, May 6, 2017 in the Kennedy Center Theater Lab and adjoining spaces.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, under the leadership of Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz Jason Moran, continues to celebrate the legacy of jazz artist Mary Lou Williams with the annual Mary Lou Williams Jazz Festival, May 4, 2017 at 8 p.m. in the Eisenhower Theater.

The American Tap Dance Foundation (ATDF), under the artistic direction of Tony Waag, presented its 5th yearly showcase Rhythm in Motion, March 29-April 2, 2017 at the Duke on 42nd Street. The series featured two distinct programs of fresh, groundbreaking tap dance choreography, with some strong and emotional statements. This is a very interesting time for tap dance as “the world has finally realized that tap dance and tap choreography can also test the audience, tell a story, be influenced by world issues and express anger, fear, sadness, and spirituality” said Mr. Waag, ATDF Artistic/Executive Director and curator of this show. The program featured some of the best and emerging tap dancers/choreographers of this time.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for April 17-April 23, featuring Ann Hampton Callaway in 'Ella Century,' Clint Holmes, Matt Baker and the Trio - The Live at Birdland DVD Release Party with Special Guest Veronica Swift, and more. Scroll down for details!

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College continues its 2016-17 season on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 8pm with GRAMMY Award-winning jazz singer Patti Austin performing Ella Now and Then: A Centennial Celebration of the First Lady of Song. This tribute concert marks the 100thbirthday of the great Ella Fitzgerald (born April 25, 1917) and will feature selections from Ms. Austin's soon-to-be-released album Ella: Now & Then.

Yvette Norwood-Tiger, vocalist, songwriter, vocal coach, and Recording Academy (GRAMMY) recording and voting member will perform with her band (Donnie Harrell-Piano, John Lenis-Contrabass, James Gibbs III-Trumpet, and Mauricio de Souza-Drums) will celebrate in a world tour concert the life and works of Ella Fitzgerald.

Yvette Norwood-Tiger, vocalist, songwriter, vocal coach, and Recording Academy (GRAMMY) recording and voting member will perform with her band (Donnie Harrell-Piano, John Lenis-Contrabass, James Gibbs III-Trumpet, and Mauricio de Souza-Drums) will celebrate in a world tour concert the life and works of Ella Fitzgerald.

The New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) inducted four arts luminaries into its Hall of Fame during its annual benefit on April 4 at 583 Park Avenue. BroadwayWorld has photos from the event below!

Portland Stage has announced its 2017-18 Mainstage Season!

Today's subject George Caldwell is currently living his theatre life as one of the composers and the onstage pianist for the creative dance troupe Urban Bush Women. The company performs Walking with'Trane this Friday and Saturday in the Eisenhower Theater at Kennedy Center.

Town Hall and (Le) Poisson Rouge are proud to present the Jazz Epistles, featuring Abdullah Ibrahim and Hugh Masekela live in New York City for the first time on South African Freedom Day, April 27th. Half a century after recording South Africa's landmark jazz album, Jazz Epistle, Verse 1, these original bebop legends reunite for their first North American performance at the Town Hall at 123 West 43rd Street in New York. 

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for April 10-April 16, featuring Kevin Eubanks Quartet, with Dave Holland, Nicholas Payton and Jeff Tain Watts, KT Sullivan, Geoffrey Keezer Trio, with Gillian Margot, and more. Scroll down for details!

The high-energy dance/variety show Rhythmic Circus: "Feet Don't Fail Me Now!" comes to Mayo Performing Arts Center on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 7:30 pm.

Join us on Friday, March 31 as two legendary National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master pianists, Toshiko Akiyoshi and Barry Harris, perform together in a piano duo of classic jazz standards and original arrangements. Drummer Leroy Williams and bassist Ray Drummond will perform with the pianists.

The National Symphony Orchestra's (NSO) Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke has always put together musical programs that are fun and classy. This Sophisticated Ladies: 100 Years of Ella and Company, which played this Kennedy Center's Concert Hall this past weekend, was no exception.

It's Broadway baby! Pacific Symphony Pops brings two award-winning Broadway superstars—Megan Hilty and Brian Stokes Mitchell—together on one stage to deliver an evening of unforgettable music from the Great White Way. With stunning voices and booming careers on Broadway, television and concert stages, Hilty and Mitchell join the 88-piece orchestra to bring fresh insight to a program of Broadway hits and memorable melodies that have become timeless standards, including music from Cole Porter, Duke Ellington and George Gershwin. Hilty dazzles with songs such as Gershwin's “Someone to Watch Over Me,” “They Just Keep Moving the Line” from the NBC-TV series “Smash” and “The Rainbow Connection” from her album “Live at the Cafe Carlyle.” Then, Mitchell takes the stage with masterpieces such as “Stars” from “Les Misérables,” “The Impossible Dream” from “Man of La Mancha,” “It Ain't Necessarily So” from “Porgy and Bess,” and the ultimate lounge tune, “Feeling Good.” 

Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College continues its 2016-17 season on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 8pm with GRAMMY® Award-winning jazz singer Patti Austin performing Ella Now and Then: A Centennial Celebration of the First Lady of Song. This tribute concert marks the 100th birthday of the great Ella Fitzgerald (born April 25, 1917) and will feature selections from Ms. Austin's 2002 album For Ella, including timeless standards such as 'How High the Moon,' 'Too Close for Comfort,' and 'The Man I Love.'Tickets range from $36 to $55 and can be purchased at BrooklynCenter.org or by calling 718-951-4500 (Tue-Sat, 1pm-6pm).

Birdland will kick-off their great week of programming with the following acts:

Following an incredibly successful 2016 run at The Watermill Theatre, Paul Hart's Romeo + Juliet will be performed in repertoire alongside a brand new production of Twelfth Night.  This exciting national tour celebrates the theatre's 50th anniversary. 

Vivian Reed - the two-time Tony Award-nominated Broadway star and concert artist - has announced her new album 'Standards and More.'