Photo Coverage: Friars Club Celebrates The April Birthdays of Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Tito Puente
By: Stephen Sorokoff Apr. 26, 2016
Last night Mercedes Ellington, granddaughter of Duke Ellington and president and founder of The Duke Ellington Center For The Arts, along with co-producer Judi Marks hosted a Triple Threat musical celebration at the legendary Friars Club. It was a special evening that featured performances of the music of the three giants of Jazz and BroadwayWorld was there.
Frank Owens was musical director of the small but effective Ellington Band and the entertainers for the evening were: Andrea Frierson, Dezhon Fields, Loni Ackerman, Alex Cowings, Kathy Conry, Judi Mark and Larry Marshall. Ron Abel was music director for Andrea Frierson. The Friars certainly can't say they "Don't Get Around Much Anymore"
Photo Credit: Stephen Sorokoff
Loni Ackerman, Dezhon Fields, Andrea Frierson, Judi Mark, Larry Marshall, Mercedes Ellington, Kathy Conry, Alex Cowings
Mercedes Ellington & Judi Mark
Mercedes Ellington, Andrea Frierson, Ron Abel
Judi Mark
James Zollar, Patience Higgins, Dave Gibson, Frank Owens, Wilbur Bascomb
Frank Owens, Musical Director
Ron Abel, Music Director for Andrea Frierson
Dezhon Fields
Dezhon Fields
Alex Cowings
Alex Cowings
Mercedes Ellington & Kathy Conry
Judi Mark
The Cast
Bob Spiotto, Director of Programs
Frank Sinatra Dining Room
Lucille Ball Room
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