Duke Ellington News

On December 12 singer Frank Sinatra Jr. will perform a 100th Birthday Celebration of his father Frank Sinatra's music at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills at 9 pm. In our talk he describes the concert in detail. He also talks about his mentors and what music he prefers to listen to nowadays. When and how did this celebration concert come about? When Frank Sinatra died back in 1998 I engineered a celebrational show which I intended to run for eighteen months to two years, to celebrate his life and his career. The show at that time was called Sinatra Sings Sinatra. As it turned out, the audiences and the people who hired our program wanted very much to keep Sinatra Sings Sinatra going long after two years had passed. By now we were getting close to going into the 21st century, and it has been so ever since. Now we come to December the 12th forthcoming here which will have been his 100th birthday. OK! Two years ago I discussed with my family and the people that we work with the importance of organizing a special series of events to commemorate his 100th year. I was wondering whether or not  this was a little bit of overkill at the time, but I have been told such things happen for people like Duke Wayne, Bing Crosby and people of that situation that they have these big festivals, recapitulations, tributes, you name it. In 2013 I started writing a show for the end of 2015. That show debuted in May this year.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for November 9-15, 2015, including Poncho Sanchez, Sally Mayes and Jeff Harnar, The Ray Marchica and Nina Hennessy Group, and more!

Tony Award nominated actress Jonelle Allen will star in BLACKBIRD, The Story of Broadway Legend Florence Mills, this weekend, October 30th and October 31st at 7:30 p.m. at Saddleback College's Studio Theatre.

On the heels of a successful run of their first cabaret act, Look Who's in Love, distinguished entertainers Christine Reisner-Rebic (an international cabaret chanteuse and dancer) and Don Rebic (Broadway and cabaret musical director, jazz pianist and composer) took their cabaret act into the recording studio.

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 tonight, October 29, 2015 at 8:00pm with her production of Tehorah.

With the wonder and glory of the Holiday Season right around the corner, celebrate it with some of the nation's best performers and local homegrown favorites at the PACE Center in Parker.

Dr. Barbara Ann Teer's NATIONAL BLACK THEATRE, the oldest continually operating black theater in New York, will present the New York City Premiere of DEAD AND BREATHING by GLAAD Media Award winner Chisa Hutchinson (She Like Girls). Directed by Obie winner Jonathan McCrory, previews begin tonight, October 28 with press opening set for November 5.

THE BLACK BOX, downtown Franklin's new theater, music and event venue, presents a wide-ranging lineup of live music entertainment this November. Events are slated to feature concerts in genres ranging from classical, jazz and pop to Southern rock, cabaret and children's programming.

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.

Sippin On Fire will be presented at Stage 72 at 158 West 72nd Street (bet Broadway-Columbus Ave) Friday, November 13th at 9:00 p.m. Sippin' On Fire is a hot cabaret of five handsome, talented, versatile NYC-based performers --Ryan K. Bailer, Francesc Esteve, Matt Maretz, Conor McGee and Ryan Mulgrew.  They give the audience a feast for the ears and eyes. With piano, bass, drums and guitar accompaniment, the show has been conceived by with musical direction by Phil Hall.  This is a show based on pop music with some Broadway thrown as well as many songs, familiar--which gives each of the five guys to showcase their unique style and talent as well as sexiest interpretation to the stage.

After successful shows at Judy's Chelsea and Don't Tell Mama, Jennifer Roberts is back to celebrate her love for Manhattan with her show at New York hotspot Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th St., New York, NY) on November 20, 2015 at 7 p.m.

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.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for November 2 - 8, featuring Benny Green Trio, Michael Urie and Celia Keenan-Bolger Host A Concert to Benefit the American Cancer Society, Bill O'Connell and The Latin Jazz All-Stars, and more. Scroll down for details!

The National Endowment for the Arts will honor four jazz leaders – three musicians and an advocate – with the 2016 NEA Jazz Masters award for their significant accomplishments in the field. This year's honorees range from fiery saxophonists who cut their teeth with the legendary John Coltrane, to a vibraphonist who reshaped the direction of jazz by introducing rock elements, to one who has dedicated her life to assisting jazz musicians in need.

Four outstanding works by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, one of the world's leading modern dance companies, will come to the big screen tonight, October 22 at 7:00 pm (local time) as the second installment of Lincoln Center at the Movies: Great American Dance.

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 Monday, December 21st and run through Sunday, January 3rd. Tickets start at $10.

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.

Last Friday, October 9, noted orchestrator and conductor Fred Barton presented the music of Broadway and the American Songbook to the Schimmel Center at Pace University, in AMERICAN SHOWSTOPPERS: AN EVENING OF JOHNNY MERCER. In his seventh concert at Pace, Fred Barton brings the power of Mercer's music and lyrics front and center, with a 14-piece orchestra and a cast of 16 Broadway singers and dancers, with direction and choreography by Scott Thompson. The cast was headlined by Damon Kirsche, Tony nominee Lee Roy Reams, two time Tony nominee Vivian Reed, Nick Spangler, Tony Nominee Lauren Worsham, and Tony Award winner Karen Ziemba. The cast also featured Jesse Luttrell, Sean McGibbon and Molly Pope. Scroll down for photos from the concert!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its lineup for October 26-November 1, featuring Ron Carter Nonet, "Showbiz After Hours' With Frank DiLella, Barbara Carroll, and more. Scroll down for details!

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its November 2015 schedule, featuring Django Reinhardt Festival Allstars, Benny Green Trio, The Birdland Big Band, Lesli Margherita, Christine Ebersole & Billy Stritch, Poncho Sanchez, Jim Caruso's Cast Party and more. Scroll down for details!