Duke Ellington News

The Wallis Center for the Performing Arts presents Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life for 19 performances only from May 9 - 24, 2014 in the Bram Goldsmith Theater. Maurice Hines, a Tony Award nominee, is a celebrated dancer, choreographer, director, and singer, whose impressive career spans over 40 years. Directed by Tony Award nominee Jeff Calhoun (Broadway's Newsies and Grey Gardens), Maurice Hines is Tappin' Thru Life features D.C.'s dynamic tap-dancing duo, the Manzari Brothers, 11-year old tapping phenomenon Luke Spring, as well as the all-female, nine-piece big band, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra.

Will Friedwald's 'Clip Joint: A Video Music Mixtape' will premiere on Tuesday, April 29 at 7 PM at Stage 72 / The Triad (Green Room.

Tap Soul Productions presents the Off-Broadway world premiere of the new unique tap dance musical "Show me the TAP! Show me the SOUL!" a one night only concert featuring the musical styling of vocal and upright bassist duo Acute Inflections at the Helen Mills Theatre (137 W 26th Street) Sunday, May 25th at 7PM.

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts will feature many exciting events as part of its April-June calendar.

RADiUS-TWC proudly announced today that it has acquired worldwide rights as well as remake rights for the documentary KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON

The Muny announced principal casting for the second show of its amazing 96th season, Tarzan, directed by John Tartaglia, choreographed by Chris Bailey, with musical direction by Rick Bertone. Tarzan is sponsored by U. S. Bank.

Trinity Rep announced today that Jeffrey Osborne will be honored with the 2014 New England Pell Award for Artistic Excellence, acknowledging his artistic achievements and philanthropic work throughout Rhode Island.

The Jazz Foundation of America will host the 23rd Annual Jazz Loft Party 'Cirque du Jazz' tonight, April 26, 2014 from 7:00 pm - Midnight at Hudson Studios in New York City.

The Critically Acclaimed Hit New Musical 'BUGLE BOY' exploring the life and work of legendary band leader Glenn Miller is set to tour the country again after its highly successful 2011; 2012 & 2013 UK Tours; including a full house standing ovation in the West End Garrick Theatre receiving terrific reviews from both critics and audiences alike and hailed a Triumph.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for May 5 - 11, including Jason Graae '49½ Shades of Graae,' Sheila Jordan, Maria Schneider Orchestra, Eric Comstock & Barbara Fasano Quartet 'Sunday in New York,' and more!

The show has not yet recorded a cast album, but BroadwayWorld has stumbled open the official live recording of the new musical- which has recently been falling into the hands of Tony nominators and voters. Below, check out a first listen to six hot tracks from the production; 'Zaz Zuh Zaz', 'Opening/Daybreak Express,' 'I Can't Give You Anything But Love,' 'Women Be Wise,' 'Diga Diga Doo,' and 'Cotton Club Stomp.'

Time Square Arts, in partnership with Allied Partners and Brickman Real Estate, will present Jim Findlay's Dream of the Red Chamber, a performance for a sleeping audience, produced by Collapsable Giraffe and 3-Legged Dog.

After Midnight, Broadway's smash hit Cotton Club musical, and recent 5-time Outer Critic Circle 2014 nominee, will celebrate Duke Ellington's birthday (April 29) and Jazz Appreciation Month with a week of special activities throughout the city. Directed and choreographed by Warren Carlyle and featuring the big-band sounds of nine-time Grammy Award-winner Wynton Marsalis' Jazz at Lincoln Center All-Stars, After Midnight performs at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th Street).

The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts will commemorate the Duke's 115th birthday with an outdoor ceremony and concert on Sunday, April 27th at 1 PM in front of Duke Ellington's statue at 5th Avenue and 110th street. Additionally Duke Ellington's 115th Birthday Bash, a musical birthday Party and show will be celebrated on Duke's actual birthday two days later (Tuesday, April 29, from 7 to 9 PM) at Ballroom off Fifth on 37th St between 5th and 6th Avenues.

Gary Naylor sees a show filled with songs from some of the last century's greatest singers - given full due by some of the West End's finest vocalists.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for April 28 - May 4, featuring the Steve Kuhn Trio, Broadway Sings Their Favorites - Celebrating the Tenth Season of Broadway Artists Alliance, David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more!

CHERRY HILL, N.J., April 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank and First Book a nonprofit organization that provides new books to children in underserved communities have partnered to provide children in kindergarten to second grade access to age-appropriate books at home and in their schools through a new program, Banking On Books. First Book works collectively with publishers and schools across the United States to support the 'National Campaign for Grade Level Reading.' TD Bank has committed to supporting this program by providing a $125,000 donation to the nonprofit.

The Celebrity Series of Boston announced its 2014-2015 season today, marking 76 years of bringing the world's greatest performing artists to Boston. The season opens on Sunday, October 5, 2014 with Italian pianist Maurizio Pollini in recital. In total, the 2014-2015 season will include 46 music, dance and entertainment engagements. The 2014-15 season is sponsored by Amy and Joshua Boger.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its May 2014 schedule, featuring Steve Kuhn Trio, Joey DeFrancesco Organ Quartet, Karrin Allyson, BOSSABRASIL Festival, and more.

Although the legendary Duke Ellington passed away on May 24, 1974, nearly 40 years ago, his fame and stature continue to grow and blossom. Just this past year alone, After Midnight, a big band musical featuring all-Ellington music in a tribute to Harlem's famous Cotton Club, opened on Broadway and is one of the favorites for winning a TONY Award this year; an SRO audience cheered the hundreds of students who participated in Arranging Ellington, concert of Ellington's sacred music, at Carnegie Hall this past March 23; and the Duke Ellington Center Big Band is finalizing plans for concert tours of France and the US during the upcoming year.