Mercedes Ellington News

Lydia Harrell, a Michigan native currently living in Boston, and actress Rhianna Radick, who was born in Philadelphia and has lived in New York City for the past two years, were winners of the Second Annual Duke Ellington Jazz Vocal Competition held Saturday, October 24, at the 41st Annual 52nd Street Duke Ellington/Americana Jazz Festival in Manhattan.

The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts (DECFA) will present its 2nd Annual Jazz Vocalists Competition at the 41st Annual Duke Ellington 52nd Street Jazz Festival today, October 24, from 1 to 4 PM, on the Festival Performance Stage at the Southeast Corner of 52nd Street and Avenue of Americas in Manhattan.

The Actors' Equity Association presents 'PASS IT ON: Thriving Artists Reflect on a Life in the Theatre', moderated by Ira Mont and featuring Victoria Clark, Mercedes Ellington, Dana Ivey and Jeff Williams, on Monday, October 26, 2015 at Actors' Equity Association - NYC (165 West 46th Street, 14th Floor Council Room).

The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts (DECFA) will present its 2nd Annual Jazz Vocalists Competition at the 41st Annual Duke Ellington 52nd Street Jazz Festival on Saturday, October 24, from 1 to 4 PM, on the Festival Performance Stage at the Southeast Corner of 52nd Street and Avenue of Americas in Manhattan.

 Juilliard Dance will receive the 64th Annual Capezio Dance Awardfrom the Capezio Ballet Makers Dance Foundation at a ceremony on Sunday,November 22, 2015 at 6pm at The Juilliard School in the Willson Theater.  Artistic Director Lawrence Rhodes will accept the award on behalf of the school. 

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.

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to host the return of pianist/singer Steve Ross in "An Evening With Steve Ross" on Monday, May 25 at 7pm. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

The Shubert Organization and Career Transition For Dancers along with the host committee: Andy Blankenbuehler, Graciela Daniele, Mercedes Ellington, Donna McKechnie, Jerry Mitchell, & Chita Rivera welcomed The Broadway Dance Community for a Buffet Dinner & Between-Shows-Get-Together at Sardi's, Eugenia Room (234 West 44th Street) on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 (5:00pm-7:00pm).  This event is generously underwritten by The Shubert Organization.  Past client Andy Blankenbuehler (award-winning choreographer of the hit musical 'Hamilton') addressed the group on his relation with the organziation and how beneficial they have been for him and thousands of others.

The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts (DECFA), headed by renowned dancer/choreographer Mercedes Ellington, the Duke's granddaughter, will celebrate Ellington's 116th birthday this year today, April 25, with a musical tribute to five other legendary jazz performers from 1 to 3 PM in front of the towering Duke Ellington Statue in the Plaza at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 110th Street.

The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts (DECFA), headed by renowned dancer/choreographer Mercedes Ellington, the Duke's granddaughter, will celebrate Ellington's 116th birthday this year on Saturday, April 25, with a musical tribute to five other legendary jazz performers from 1 to 3 PM in front of the towering Duke Ellington Statue in the Plaza at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 110th Street.

Juilliard Dances Repertory presents masterworks by acclaimed choreographers Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham. Juilliard dancers perform Martha Graham's Dark Meadow and Merce Cunningham's BIPED. Aaron Sherber will conduct the Juilliard musicians performing the music live with the dancers for Dark Meadow.

Legacy 36, LLC in association with The Ziegfeld Society of New York City will present ON TAP!: From Broadway To The Silver Screen, a song and dance show celebrating tap dancing stars, styles and traditions starring The Legacy Dancers: A Line of Former Rockettes with guest stars Mercedes Ellington and Lee Roy Reams tonight, March 14th. ON TAP! is co-produced, directed and choreographed by Mary Six Rupert and Karyn Tomczak.

Legacy 36, LLC in association with The Ziegfeld Society of New York City will present ON TAP!: From Broadway To The Silver Screen, a song and dance show celebrating tap dancing stars, styles and traditions starring The Legacy Dancers: A Line of Former Rockettes with guest stars Mercedes Ellington and Lee Roy Reams on Saturday, March 14th. ON TAP! is co-produced, directed and choreographed by Mary Six Rupert and Karyn Tomczak.

Next month Juilliard Dances Repertory presents masterworks by acclaimed choreographers Martha Graham and Merce Cunningham. Juilliard dancers perform Martha Graham's Dark Meadow and Merce Cunningham's BIPED. Aaron Sherber will conduct the Juilliard musicians performing the music live with the dancers for Dark Meadow.

The legendary Latin and Jazz percussionist Candido, now 103 years young, will be presented with the Duke Ellington Center's 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award, at DECFA's annual “Ring Dem Bells” holiday party and concert Monday, December 8 (5:30 to 9:30 PM) at the Landmark on the Park, 160 Central Park West (at 76th Street), it was announced by Mercedes Ellington, the noted dancer/choreographer, who is Duke Ellington's granddaughter and founder and artistic director of DECFA.

This year's "Ring Dem Bells" holiday party will take place on Monday evening, December 8, 2014, at Landmark On the Park, a popular event venue at 160 Central Park West (at 76th Street).

Noted composer/lyricist/arranger and two-time Grammy Award nominee Larry Kerchner will be celebrated on Sunday, November 30, 2014, at 7 PM at Stage 72 at The Triad, 158 West 72nd Street, in Manhattan. More than a dozen stellar music performers from New York's theatre, cabaret and jazz stages will perform songs with melodies, lyrics and/or arrangements created by Kerchner, at this third annual tribute performance, titled "Hidden Treasures III: More Songs of Larry Kerchner."

'Hidden Treasures III - More Songs of Larry Kerchner' is set for Sunday, November 30 at 7pm at the Triad Theater (158 West 72 St.).

The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts (DECFA) launched its 1st Jazz Vocal Competition at New York City's 40th Annual 52nd Street Duke Ellington Jazz Festival on Saturday, October 25, 2014. Performing under sunny skies on a beautiful fall afternoon in New York City, the 23 competing singers demonstrated their unique vocal talents in front of an appreciative crowd who cheered them on with great enthusiasm. In the end, the three winners were:

The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts (DECFA) will introduce its 1st Jazz Vocal Competition at New York City's 40th Annual 52nd Street Duke Ellington Jazz Festival today, October 25, 2014, it was announced by renowned dancer/choreographer Mercedes Ellington, founder and artistic director of DECFA.