Duke Ellington News

Actress and singer Vanessa Williams, accompanied by a 17-piece orchestra, performed the jazz standard "Stormy Weather" from the new Broadway show AFTER MIDNIGHT

The talented actress and singer stops by this morning's TODAY on NBC and tells hosts Kathie Lee and Hoda that she is thankful her music-teacher parents encouraged her to pursue the arts.

On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of Youth America Grand Prix, known to all as YAGP, the international competition founded by former Bolshoi principals Larissa and Gennadi Saveliev offered a three-evening celebration at the Koch from April 9th to 11th 2014 that completely converted this former naysayer into a diehard fan. All of my complaints from 2012 and 2013 have been addressed.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for April 21 - April 27, featuring James Carter Organ Trio, Donna Vivino in 'Beautiful Dreamer,' David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band, Karen Oberlin in Secret Love: A Tribute to Doris Day, and more.

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, as well as the all-female, nine-piece big band, The Diva Jazz Orchestra.

The United States Air Force Band of the Golden West's Jazz Ensemble, The Commanders, will perform a free concert as part of Mesa Arts Center's Performing Live series, Wednesday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Ikeda Theater. Free tickets can be reserved through the Mesa Arts Center Box Office at MesaArtsCenter.com or by calling 480-644-6500.

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

Gleaming with glamour and virtuosity, Sarah Chang, one of the world's foremost violinists, returns to Pacific Symphony to perform Jean Sibelius' Violin Concerto, which takes full advantage of the violin's expressive range, from the rippling high chords to the growling alto notes. With an international career that spans more than two decades, Chang enthralls once again-this time alongside guest conductor Tito Muñoz, who recently served as music director of two esteemed organizations in Lorraine, France. Muñoz leads the orchestra in Dvo?ak's Symphony No. 8, optimistic and bright, filled with folk music and Bohemian dances. Opening the concert and having its West Coast premiere is a sensuous work by Adam Schoenberg, 'Finding Rothko' (2006). Inspired by four bold paintings by American Abstract Impressionist painter Mark Rothko, the work is a musical depiction of the emotions Schoenberg felt embodied in each of the paintings.

Gleaming with glamour and virtuosity, Sarah Chang, one of the world's foremost violinists, returns to Pacific Symphony to perform Jean Sibelius' Violin Concerto, which takes full advantage of the violin's expressive range, from the rippling high chords to the growling alto notes. With an international career that spans more than two decades, Chang, the “thrill seeker” who made Mendelssohn “sizzle” (Orange County Register) when she opened the Symphony's 2011-12 season enthralls once again—this time alongside guest conductor Tito Muñoz, who recently served as music director of two esteemed organizations in Lorraine, France. Muñoz leads the orchestra in Dvo?ák's Symphony No. 8, optimistic and bright, filled with folk music and Bohemian dances. Opening the concert and having its West Coast premiere is a sensuous work by Adam Schoenberg, “Finding Rothko” (2006). Inspired by four bold paintings by American Abstract Impressionist painter Mark Rothko, the work is a musical depiction of the emotions Schoenberg felt embodied in each of the paintings.

Pacific Symphony's critically-acclaimed American Composers Festival (ACF) continues for the 14th year with "From Screen to Score: New Concert Music by Famous Film Composers"-who happen to be four of today's biggest Hollywood heavy-hitters: John Williams ("Star Wars," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "E.T., the Extra Terrestrial"), Howard Shore ("Lord of the Rings," "The Hobbit," "Hugo"), James Horner ("Titanic," "Star Trek," "Apollo 13") and Elliot Goldenthal ("Alien 3," "Batman Forever" and "Batman and Robin"). Together, these iconic composers boast 11 Oscars and countless billions of box office dollars. They also hold the ironic position of simultaneously being the most-heard orchestral composers ever (the soundtrack for "Titanic" sold 30 million copies), yet their music is the least performed.

Renowned tenor and international conductor Placido Domingo was awarded an honorary doctor of music degree by Berklee College of Music at its campus in Valencia, Spain on Friday. The event took place at the Teatro Martin i Soler of the Palau de les Arts and was attended by local government officials and dignitaries and Berklee's Valencia campus leadership.

Nick Ziobro, the 17 year-old pop/jazz vocal sensation, will release his debut album A Lot of Livin' to Do on Tuesday, May 20. The new disc, produced by Michael Feinstein - the two-time Emmy and five-time Grammy Award-nominated vocalist, pianist and musicologist - and available through Titanium Entertainment, will be available in stores and digital outlets such as iTunes and Amazon.com. The album's debut single 'This Guy's In Love with You' is now available on iTunes.

According to Out.com, music legend Patti LaBelle just attended a performance of Broadway's After Midnight, and will be the next star to join the guest lineup at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Current guest star Vanessa Williams will end her limited run on May 11, and will be followed by Fantasia, who returns on May 13.

Salon/Sanctuary Concerts presents Exodus: Dreams of the Promised Land in Antebellum America featuring The Western Wind Vocal Ensemble with guest actors Rosalyn Coleman Williams and Jennifer Rau. The Script and Stage Direction is by Erica Gould and Jessica Gould did the program concept and dramaturgy.

REG E. CATHEY (House of Cards, The Wire) joins the cast of EXODUS: DREAMS OF THE PROMISED LAND IN ANTEBELLUM AMERICA, playing multiple roles including Solomon Northrup (Twelve Years a Slave) and the Abolitionist Frederick Douglass. The cast also includes ROSALYN COLEMAN WILLIAMS (The Mountaintop, Seven Guitars, The Piano Lesson) in multiple roles including Elizabeth Keckley (familiar to audiences from the movie Lincoln), JENNIFER RAU as Abolitionist Angelina Grimke, and the noted vocal ensemble THE WESTERN WIND. Conceived by Salon/Sanctuary's Founding Artistic Director Jessica Gould to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, EXODUS was originally presented last year in a sold-out performance staged at the historic Fraunces Tavern, the oldest structure in Manhattan.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its great line-up of talent for April 14 - April 20, including: Pat Martino Organ Quartet, Amanda Green's Spring Trunk Show With Jenn Colella, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Greg Naughton, Kathleen Monteleone, Ryann Redmond & Janet Krupin, David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band, and more. Details below!

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater May 1-4 Thursday | 7:30pm Friday | 8pm Saturday | 2pm & 8pm Sunday | 3pm Citi Wang Theatre: 270 Tremont St., Boston, MA Tickets: $35 and up Phone: 866-348-9738 MBTA: Green line to Boylston

The Cabaret celebrates jazz history with the son of the legendary entertainer Mel Tormé on May 15 & 16 at 8:00pm. James Tormé brings classic jazz to a new generation, infusing older classics with contemporary influences, and haunting newer songs with his timeless throwback renditions.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world's most popular dance companies,will return to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts with four different programs for a two-week 15-performance engagement at the David H. Koch Theater June 11 - 22, 2014. Today, Artistic Director Robert Battle announced repertory for the season, highlighted by a world premiere from Robert Moses - a first-time collaboration with the Company - new productions of Hans van Manen's Polish Pieces and David Parsons' signature work Caught, along with the company premiere of Asadata Dafora's groundbreaking 1932 solo Awassa Astrige/Ostrich. Ailey's acclaimed dancers will perform in diverse repertory including encore performances of 2013-14 season premieres and new productions such as Wayne McGregor's Chroma and an "Ailey/Ellington" program, as well as favorites like Alvin Ailey's American masterpiece Revelations.

BroadwayWorld has confirmed that Christopher Jackson (In the Heights, Memphis, Bronx Bombers) will join the cast of After Midnight from April 5-20. He will replace Everett Bradley, who will depart to be the band leader on the Meredith Vieira Show. Jackson starred in the Encores! version of the show in 2012, when it was titled Cotton Club Parade.