Duke Ellington News

GABRIELLE STRAVELLI - the celebrated pop/jazz singer hailed for her "natural effervesce, undiluted joy and remarkable voice" by The New York Times - presents the second episode of her podcast "Big Modern Music with Gabrielle Stravelli," which features monthly interviews with stars of jazz, pop and beyond.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for August 17-23, featuring Joe Lovano, Barbara Carroll, Birdland Jazz Party, and more!

'Songs of the Harlem River: Forgotten one acts from the Harlem Renaissance' is a collection of one-acts written between 1920-1930 including works by Marita Bonner, Rafe M. Coleman, Georgia Douglas Johnson, Willis Richardson and Eulalie Spence as well as the poems of Sterling A. Brown, Langston Hughes and others. The evening is directed and choreographed by Shela Xoregos and will have its world premiere August 30 to September 6 in Theater for the New City's 2015 Dream Up Festival.

Metropolis and Michael Ingersoll present the electrifying musical event Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song starring jazz chanteuse Karen Marie Richardson tonight, August 6, 2015.

Hot House (New York's premier jazz guide since 1982) and the Metropolitan Room (voted New York's #1 Jazz Venue) are joining forces to honor producer/director Jack Kleinsinger and recognize NYC'S favorite jazz artists. Together, Hot House and the Metropolitan Room are asking jazz fans to nominate and vote for their favorite NYC's artists. The categories cover a wide array of styles: male vocalist, female vocalist, best ensemble, best new artist, and many more.

The highly acclaimed New York-based Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the world's most popular global modern dance companies, returns to South Africa in September after 17 years with 13 performances in Johannesburg at the Teatro at Montecasino from Thursday, 3 September to Sunday, 13 September 2015 and 7 shows in Cape Town at Artscape, from 16 to 20 September 2015. Tickets are on sale at Computicket.

August storms in to Phoenix with a blast of incredible jazz, as local and visiting artists fill the calendar at The Nash. BIRDSEED brings an all - Charlie Parker concert, the new funky band MR. PEOPLE hit the stage for First Friday, and PAPA DEFRANCESCO shows audiences where son Joey got his chops from.

With his unmistakable tenor voice, legendary songwriting skills and bass guitar chops to boot, Chicago frontman and solo star Peter Cetera defines an entire era of American rock music.

Pasadena Pops Conductor Michael Feinstein puts down the conducting baton and picks up the microphone for one night only to sing a full concert devoted to the legacy of Frank Sinatra.

American Dance Machine for the 21st Century (ADM21), for those who love the dance in Broadway musicals, will return to New York City's Joyce Theater (175 Eighth Avenue) after their sold out run last year, it was announced today by founder and producing artistic director Nikki Feirt Atkins.  Performances begin Tuesday, December 22nd and run through Sunday, January 3rd.  Tickets start at $10.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for August 10 - August 16, featuring Ben Allison Group, Barbara Carroll, Ken Peplowski Quartet, and more!

Theatre Under The Stars' (TUTS) Humphreys School of Musical Theatre (HSMT) proudly presents the inspiring, all-teen production of Rent September 18 & 19 at The Hobby Center.  Winner of the TONY Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Rent has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages. 

BroadwayWorld presents a first look at highlights of ZACH Theatre's Sophisticated Ladies, the Duke Ellington musical review starring Broadway's original Dreamgirl, Jennifer Holliday. ZACH Theatre Associate Artistic Director ABE REYBOLD will direct the musical in the Topfer Theatre on the Karen Kuykendall stage July 15, 2015 - August 23, 2015. A full onstage orchestra backs superb jazz vocalists, extraordinary tap dancers, dazzling deco costumes, and unforgettable torch singers who bring classics like 'Mood Indigo,' Take the A Train,' 'It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)' to vivid life in this grand Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. Check out a first look at the cast in action below!

Artists enrich Carnegie Hall's history every time they step out on stage, but the Hall's lore also comes from behind the scenes and from its audiences. Since Carnegie Hall opened on May 5, 1891, it has played host to millions of visitors looking to share an exceptional performing arts experience. Now, as it approaches its 125th anniversary during the 2015-2016 season, Carnegie Hall is looking to its audience and fans around the world to uncover those unique and personal stories that make the Hall what it is today.

Just in!  BroadwayWorld presents a first look at ZACH Theatre's Sophisticated Ladies, the Duke Ellington musical review starring Broadway's original Dreamgirl, Jennifer Holliday.

ZACH Theatre presents Sophisticated Ladies, the Duke Ellington musical review starring Broadway's original Dreamgirl, Jennifer Holliday. ZACH Theatre Associate Artistic Director ABE REYBOLD will direct the musical in the Topfer Theatre on the Karen Kuykendall stage July 15, 2015 - August 23, 2015. A full onstage orchestra backs superb jazz vocalists, extraordinary tap dancers, dazzling deco costumes, and unforgettable torch singers who bring classics like 'Mood Indigo,' Take the A Train,' 'It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)' to vivid life in this grand Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. Check out the video below of Jennifer Holliday discussing Duke Ellington's music!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for August 3-9, including Steve Kuhn Trio, Laura Osnes, Dave Stryker Organ Quartet CD Release Celebration, and more!

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, along with Beaver Productions, is proud to welcome acclaimed jazz singer Melody Gardot on Friday, October 9 at the Merriam Theater.  Tickets go on-sale Friday, July 24 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, or online at www.kimmelcenter.org, or at the Kimmel Center box office at Broad & Spruce Streets (open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).  Gardot is considered a jazz chanteuse who hails from the Greater Philadelphia area where she used to perform free concerts at the Kimmel Center before her career skyrocketed.             

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Raffael Pacitti in 'Body & Soul' tonight, July 22, 2015 at 9:30pm. Following his recent appearances at Etcetera Etcetera's Piano Room and the Metropolitan Room, Raffael debuts at 54 Below with Body & Soul, a Cabaret exploring the crazy lengths we'll go to to find physical contentment and spiritual bliss!

ZACH Theatre presents Sophisticated Ladies, the Duke Ellington musical review starring Broadway's original Dreamgirl, Jennifer Holliday. ZACH Theatre Associate Artistic Director ABE REYBOLD will direct the musical in the Topfer Theatre on the Karen Kuykendall stage July 15, 2015 - August 23, 2015. A full onstage orchestra backs superb jazz vocalists, extraordinary tap dancers, dazzling deco costumes, and unforgettable torch singers who bring classics like 'Mood Indigo,' Take the A Train,' 'It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)' to vivid life in this grand Tony Award-winning Broadway musical. Check out a sneak peek at the promotional images below!