Duke Ellington News

Omaha Performing Arts again presents Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing this summer. The free outdoor concert series runs six consecutive Thursdays, from today, July 9 to August 13, 2015, in Turner Park at Midtown Crossing.

Virginia's Signature Theatre opens its air-conditioned doors once again for the annual Sizzlin' Summer Nights Series. Two and a half weeks of live music and performances by Signature favorites, DC area stars, and some of New York's most exciting Broadway performers. The cabaret series runs tonight, July 8, through July 25, with a different performance each night.

On July 5, Carole J. Bufford erupted onto the stage at Birdland for her first Sunday evening as hostess of the club's weekly Jazz Party (which had been helmed most recently by Natalie Douglas and Jane Monheit). The formidable vocalist, glamorous in clingy red, was aided and abetted by a top-notch (also well dressed—Bravo!) quartet featuring Joel Frahm on sax, Ray Marchia on drums, Tom Hubbard on bass, and Musical Director Ian Herman on piano. Special guests for Bufford's inaugural session were Janelle Velasquez and Lianne Marie Dobbs. With Bufford's audacious performance, smart choices, and attention to detail, Sundays promise to be a great deal more fun in midtown Manhattan.

Metropolis and Michael Ingersoll present the electrifying musical event Ella Fitzgerald: First Lady of Song starring jazz chanteuse Karen Marie Richardson on August 6, 2015.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for July 13-19, featuring The Birdland Big Band, Aaron Lazar, Jazz Party with Carole Bufford, and more!

The Jewish Community Center of San Francisco (JCCSF) Chief Executive Officer Marci Glazer announced the outstanding thinkers, writers and entertainers that will comprise the diverse lineup for the 2015-16 Arts & Ideas season.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its July 2015 schedule, featuring Ravi Coltrane Quartet, John Scofield Trio, The Birdland Big Band, Stacey Kent, John Pizzarelli sings Paul McCartney, The Broadway cast of Phantom of the Opera, Birdland Jazz Party with Carole Bufford, Jim Caruso's Cast Party, and more. Scroll down for details!

This July and August, 54 BELOW presents an exciting lineup of the brightest talent from Broadway and beyond. Located just below the legendary Studio 54 at 254 West 54th Street. For a detailed schedule of upcoming performances at 54 Below and to purchase tickets, visit www.54Below.com.

Terry Teachout, drama critic for The Wall Street Journal, playwright, librettist, and biographer, will add another title to his impressive list of accomplishments when he makes his directorial debut next season with Palm Beach Dramaworks' production of his acclaimed play, Satchmo at the Waldorf. The piece, in which Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong reminisces about his life and career just months before his death, closes out PBD's 2015 - 2016 season.

Following a several month absence from the LA scene, (mostly)musicals will make its long-awaited return on Monday, July 6 at the E Spot Lounge with The Heat Is ON! This will be the company's 12th production in a series of themed cabarets. 'We are so excited to be returning to the LA calendar, and to be back in Studio City in the beautiful new E Spot Lounge,' explains producer amy francis schott.

Chicago Tap Theatre (CTT) will present the world premiere production of Circo Tap, choreographed by CTT Artistic Director Mark Yonally with music direction by CTT Music Director Kurt Schewitz, playing at the Athenaeum Theatre, 2936 N. Southport Ave., tonight, June 27 at 8 p.m. A press preview is Sunday, June 21 at 3 p.m. at the Joel Hall Dance Center, 5965 N. Clark. Tickets are $35 for adults, $27 for seniors (65 years or older) and $22 for students and dancers. Group discounts are also available. Purchase tickets at www.athenaeumtheatre.org or 773.935.6875. For more information go to www.chicagotaptheatre.com or call the Chicago Tap Theatre office at 773.655.1175.

Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for July 6-12, featuring John Scofield Trio, the Broadway Cast of Phantom of the Opera, Rotem Sivan Trio and more!

THE BLACK BOX, downtown Franklin's new theater, music, and event venue, presents two evenings of great jazz to kick off the first annual Summer Concert Series.

America's Oldest Continuing Summer Chamber Music Festival, Music Mountain, continues its 86th anniversary season on Sunday, July 19th (3pm) with Enso String Quartet and Soyeon Kate Lee, piano performing Moravec, Schumann, and Dohnanyi. Also, the weekend welcomes The New Black Eagle Jazz Band on Saturday, July 18th (6:30pm) plus a pre-show dinner at The Falls Village Inn (5pm). The summer of chamber music, country, jazz, and folk concerts, plus salutes to Broadway and opera continues thru September 27th.

On Thursday, June 25, Fulton Theatre named Lancaster Mennonite High School as the 2015 Beth Bash Award recipient for their production of William Shakespeare's 'The Tempest.'  Play director Danielle Hofstetter will accept the award plaque prior to the evening performance of "The Wizard of Oz".  The student actors and crew were awarded complimentary tickets to the performance, and will be recognized and hailed with praise. 

?GABRIELLE STRAVELLI - the celebrated pop/jazz vocalist called an "outstanding singer" by The Wall Street Journal and "hotter than the equator" by The Village Voice, will debut at The Cornelia Street Cafe (29 Cornelia Street in New York) on Monday, July 13 at 8:30 PM.

 Michael Ingersoll and Metropolis present the next season of Artists Lounge Live at Metropolis, featuring top Broadway and Broadway in Chicago stars in solo concerts.

54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents Raffael Pacitti in "Body & Soul" on Wed, July 22, 2015 at 9:30pm. Following his recent appearances at Etcetera Etcetera's Piano Room and the Metropolitan Room, Raffael debuts at 54 Below with Body & Soul, a Cabaret exploring the crazy lengths we'll go to to find physical contentment and spiritual bliss!

?Ghostlight Records will expand their special single from stage and screen star Melissa Errico with the third song, "Walking Happy." The digital exclusive is available today, June 23, 2015, on iTunes here.

Orange County, Calif.-June 18, 2015-Inspired by the creative minds and unique backgrounds of its musicians, Pacific Symphony and its Board of Directors awarded four orchestra members with a "Musician Innovation Grant" totaling $20,000 to fund new artistic projects. The grant's purpose is to give musicians the opportunity for original expression, creativity and experimentation, with the goal of serving new communities and developing new or deeper interest in classical music. These four chamber music performances explore such diverse themes as obsession, synesthesia, suppressed musical treasures of the 20th century, as well as classical and Broadway music. Taking place from June through next season, each of the events is free or low-cost to attend and features a chamber ensemble of Symphony musicians and outside artistic collaborators. For more about these projects and Pacific Symphony, call (714) 755-5799 or visit www.PacificSymphony.org.