Duke Ellington News

THE BLACK BOX, downtown Franklin's theater, music, and event venue, presents a Big Band Brunch with the renowned Kenny Hadley Big Band on Sunday, November 13. The critically-acclaimed 16-piece ensemble, led by drummer Kenny Hadley, boasts masterful musicians with performance ties to Big Band legends Woody Herman, Count Basie, Stan Kenton, Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich and more. The Kenny Hadley Big Band has shared the stage with such notables as the Count Basie Orchestra and the Duke Ellington Orchestra and has hosted guest soloists including Clark Terry and Louie Bellson.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for October 24-30, featuring Kurt Elling, ShowBiz After Hours with Frank DiLella with Special Guests Ben Vereen and Charl Brown, David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band, and more!

Downstairs Cabaret Theatre has announced two performances only of From Tragedy to Transcendence: Bach, Casals, and the Six Suites for Cello Solo, featuring Steven Hancoff.

Students from the Colburn Community School of Performing Arts and the Colburn Conservatory of Music will join Michael Feinstein, founder of the Great American Songbook Foundation, for a benefit event in Zipper Hall on October 22, 2016 at 7:30 pm.

Artistic Director Mark Yonally and Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT) bring audiences live music, a touch of magic and boundless energy with the return of their annual Tidings of Tap!, a warm and wondrous celebration of tap dance and the winter holidays Sunday, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m. at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, 9501 Skokie Blvd., Skokie, IL.

The 27th Annual Cabaret Convention, presented by the Mabel Mercer Foundation, kicked off on October 18, putting forth performances by some of the most iconic cabaret artists which the arena has to offer, as well as introducing new but equally captivating talent of the art form. Hosted by KT Sullivan, a cabaret stalwart herself, the evening moved briskly through an impressive 19 performers, each of whom was accompanied by their very own pianist--- if they weren't accompanying themselves, that is.

The San Francisco Symphony's 2016 holiday season at Davies Symphony Hall offers a festive array of concerts for all ages, from its traditional Christmas classical concerts to classic pop vocalists Gladys Knight and Patti Austin performing with the Orchestra; favorite films like Singin' in the Rain, The Snowman, and a Rodgers and Hammerstein music and film night; family-friendly events like A Charlie Brown Christmas-Live!, the circus feats of Cirque de la Symphonie, and the Orchestra's annual Deck the Hall concerts for children.

Birdland will kick-off their exciting month of programming with the following acts:

Just announced at The Iridium: Prince's protege LIV WARFIELD on October 15 & 16!

Back by popular demand after last season's sold out performances at Playhouse Square, The Musical Theater Project and Cleveland Jazz Orchestra will co-produce "Curtain Up at The Cotton Club - An Encore Presentation" for two performances: Today, October 15 (3pm) at Lakeland Community College (Dr. Wayne L. Rodehorst Performing Arts Center) and Sunday, October 16 (2pm) at Lorain County Community College Stocker Arts Center, (Hoke Theater).

Ars Lyrica Houston, Da Camera, Houston Chamber Choir, Mercury, and River Oaks Chamber Orchestra collaborate in a five-concert subscription series designed to attract young professionals.

Downstairs Cabaret Theatre has announced two performances only of From Tragedy to Transcendence: Bach, Casals, and the Six Suites for Cello Solo, featuring Steven Hancoff.

For almost seven decades, Carmen de Lavallade has led an unparalleled career in dance, theater, film and television that began in her hometown of Los Angeles.  Now, Ms. de Lavallade returns to celebrate her 85th birthday onstage at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts with As I Remember It, an intimate portrait of the legendary artist told through dance, film, music and her own personal writings. This one-night-only performance will take place on Friday, October 28 at 8pm.

Miller Theatre at Columbia University School of the Arts continues its Jazz series with the Alicia Olatuja Sextet. Featuring: Alicia Olatuja, vocals; Rasul A-Salaam, vocals; Jon Cowherd, piano; David Rosenthal, guitar; Eric Wheeler, bass; John Davis, drums on Saturday, November 12, 2016, 8:00 p.m. at the Miller Theatre (2960 Broadway at 116th Street). Tickets: $20-$35 • Students with valid ID: $7-$21 www.millertheatre.com/events/alicia-olatuja-sextet

Husband-and-wife duo John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey make their annual fall pilgrimage toCafe Carlyle with an all-new show, The Arc of a Love Affair, November 22-December 1. They return following last year's universally acclaimed show My Generation. 

The Music Institute of Chicago collaborates with Dance Chicago to present a family concert, 'Duke It Out!,' Saturday, December 10 at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Nichols Concert Hall, 1490 Chicago Ave., Evanston.

The Ailey organization is launching a Young New York program in conjunction with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's annual holiday season at New York City Center (November 30 - December 31).

The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts continues its star-packed 25th anniversary season next month with 13 amazing productions from Broadway Tony winners to red hot rockers, from delightful children's shows to jazzy multimedia presentations.

 The nationally regarded Fulton Theatre opens its 2016/2017 Ellen Arnold Groff Studio Series with a chilling Victorian thriller in the Tell Studio Theatre. The Ira Levin mystery, Veronica's Room, runs through October 30, with two added performances on Sunday, October 23 and Sunday, October 30 at 6:30 pm.

Nightcap Cabaret joins forces with Players Club of Swarthmore for a one night only event Friday night October 14th at 8pm!