Duke Ellington News

Opening Tuesday night with a four show run at the Metropolitan Room, Nancy Harms masterfully sang the luxurious, the lonely, and the seductive songs of the great jazz master, Duke Ellington. With classic cameo good looks and dressed in a black cocktail dress embellished with dangling rhinestone earrings, necklace, and bracelet, the statuesque Harms takes immediate charge of the night counting off her opening tune “I'm Beginning to See the Light” (Ellington/Hodges/George/James), her voice soft and sensual to the ear before subtly reaching a crescendo to the sound of a purring sultry feline. Jeremy Siskind on piano further elevates the mood as nimble fingers literally dance across the keyboard. Danton Boller on bass responds as if engaged in conversation, while drummer Williard Dyson maintains a steady driving force for all to follow. The room literally transforms to royal blue as singer and musicians take off to the spontaneous cheers of an appreciative audience. Ellington aficionados will greatly appreciate this gifted singer and her amazing trio of musicians. 

Broadway's 40 theatres aren't the only places to catch performances from your favorite stars! Well after Broadway orchestras begin their overtures, ensemble members take their dance breaks, and performers belt out their eleven o'clock numbers, the party continues at various cabaret venues throughout New York City. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you some cabaret highlights for this week as picked by our theatre editors, including: Darius de Haas: 'Something to Live For: Celebrating Strayhorn & More;' Linda Lavin: Starting Over; Carter Calvert at 54 Below; Nicholas Guest: Finding Nick; and Madeline Kahn Tribute.

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University announces the programming for THE BILLY STRAYHORN FESTIVAL, September 4 - November 21, celebrating the 100th birthday of the late Billy Strayhorn. The Festival begins with the Chicago Jazz Festival, today, Sept. 4 in Millennium Park, continues at various jazz clubs and locations throughout Chicago and culminates on the Auditorium Theatre's landmark stage Saturday, Nov. 21 with Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn. 

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for September 14-20, 2015, featuring The Royal Bopsters Project, Christina Bianco, Birdland Big Band, and more!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for the first week of September 2015, featuring Cyrus Chestnut Trio, Birdland Jazz Party, Barbara Carroll, and more. Scroll down for details!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its September 2015 schedule, featuring Cyrus Chestnut Trio, Arturo O'Farrill, The Birdland Big Band, Darius de Haas, Coltrane Revisited, The Royal Bopsters Project, Jim Caruso's Cast Party and more!

Recently returned from a seven city European concert tour, New York guitarist David Burgess will perform some of Brazil's finest solo guitar music on Saturday, September 26 at 8pm in the Lackland Center.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for September 7-13, 2015, including Arturo O'Farrill, Darius de Haas, Birdland Jazz Party, and more. Scroll down for details!

The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University announces the programming for THE BILLY STRAYHORN FESTIVAL, September 4 - November 21, celebrating the 100th birthday of the late Billy Strayhorn. The Festival begins with the Chicago Jazz Festival, Friday, Sept. 4 in Millennium Park, continues at various jazz clubs and locations throughout Chicago and culminates on the Auditorium Theatre's landmark stage Saturday, Nov. 21 with Lush Life: The Music of Billy Strayhorn. 

Savoy Jazz will reissue their Grammy nominated collection of jazz pioneer Charlie Parker's seminal recordings from the 1940's, 'CHARLIE PARKER: THE COMPLETE SAVOY AND DIAL STUDIO RECORDINGS 19441948' on 180 gram vinyl in a 10 LP set.

Columbia Records is proud to announce the release ofThe Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, a new album from American musical legend Tony Bennett and acclaimed jazz pianist Bill Charlap, arriving Friday, September 25, 2015.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for the first week of September 2015, featuring Cyrus Chestnut Trio, Birdland Jazz Party, Barbara Carroll, and more. Scroll down for details!

International Chanteuse Adrienne Haan, one of Europe's and America's most electrifying concert and cabaret stars, will make her Carnegie Hall debut at Weill Recital Hall on October 29, 2015 at 8:00pm with her production of Tehorah. The concert is in celebration of the 50th anniversary of German-Israeli diplomatic relations. Patrons of the event include the German and Israeli Ambassadors to the United Nations, and Rabbi Arthur Schneier.

Sporting a name that may raise an eyebrow or two, 'Jazz is Dead Reunion- a jazz exploration of the Grateful Dead' comes to the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) tonight, August 20 at 7:30pm to the delight of jazz aficionados who are fans of The Grateful Dead.

The Jewish Community Center of San Francisco (JCCSF) Chief Executive Officer Marci Glazer announced the outstanding thinkers, writers and entertainers that will comprise the diverse lineup for the 2015-16 Arts & Ideas season.

Over the course of 30 years, Harlem Stage has become one of the nation's leading arts organizations, achieving this distinction by commissioning, developing, producing and presenting innovative works by visionary artists of color. Their Fall 2015 season offers a variety of events, including free neighborhood concerts and ticketed headlining events, as well as lectures and roundtable discussions that advance deeper engagement with Harlem Stage's audience. All will take place in the state-of-the art flexible performance space, the Harlem Stage Gatehouse.

nternational song stylist Iris Williams returns to the cabaret scene in a rare New York appearance, a one night only solo performance - her debut at Birdland, the landmark jazz club located in the heart of New York's theater district. During Ms. Williams' set, themed 'I Wish You Love,' she will interpret classic American standards featuring composers Gershwin, Harold Arlen, Duke Ellington, Burton Lane, and more. Music Director Art Weiss will be on piano, with Tom Hubbard on bass and Jeff Brillinger on drums on October 19 at 7pm.www.birdlandjazz.com.

Sporting a name that may raise an eyebrow or two, "Jazz is Dead Reunion- a jazz exploration of the Grateful Dead" comes to the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) on Thursday, August 20 at 7:30pm to the delight of jazz aficionados who are fans of The Grateful Dead.

Harold Lomax Ousley, born January 23, 1929 in Chicago, Ill., passed away yesterday, August 13, 2015.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its September 2015 schedule, featuring Cyrus Chestnut Trio, Arturo O'Farrill, The Birdland Big Band, Darius de Haas, Coltrane Revisited, The Royal Bopsters Project, Jim Caruso's Cast Party and more!