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Duke Ellington News

Date of Death: May 24, 1974 (75)

Birth Place: Washington, DC, USA

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Chicago Tap Theatre to Premiere CIRCO TAP, 6/27
by Tyler Peterson - May 12, 2015


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., Saturday, 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.

Pacific Symphony to Celebrate André Previn as Part of 15th American Composers Festival, 5/28
by Matt Smith - May 12, 2015


Orange County, Calif.-May 11, 2015-One of America's most versatile and prolific living composers, Andre Previn, joins Pacific Symphony as the honored guest and focus of the 15th American Composers Festival (ACF). Previn, who has been called one of America's least easily categorized musicians, began his remarkable career as a Hollywood "wunderkind" and a best-selling jazz pianist. Now 86, Previn has received four Academy Awards for his work in film, 10 Grammy Awards for his recordings (plus one more for his Lifetime Achievement), and he is also an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He's held a series of major conducting posts, including the L.A. Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra, but now exclusively composes. The concert is led by Music Director Carl St.Clair, whose great admiration for the legend shaped this year's ACF to reveal the scope of Previn's prowess as a composer. 

Opera Philadelphia Presents Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD, 6/5-14
by BWW News Desk - May 12, 2015


Legendary jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker (1920-1955) was “a genius who lived fast and died young, revolutionizing an art form in a few short years” (NPR). The Grammy Award-winning bebop legend is the subject of Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD, the first world premiere in almost four decades for Opera Philadelphia, recognized by Opera News as “one of the leading instigators of new work in the country.” The new chamber opera was created for American tenor Lawrence Brownlee, a nominee for the 2015 International Opera Male Singer of the Year Award, by composer Daniel Schnyder, whose “thrilling classical-tinged jazz blend…constantly pushes the envelope” (Jazz Times), to a libretto by award-winning poet and playwright Bridgette Wimberly. Directed by Ron Daniels under the leadership of Music Director Corrado Rovaris, Charlie Parker's YARDBIRD premieres in Opera Philadelphia's Aurora Series for Chamber Opera, crowning the company's 40th Anniversary Season with a five-performance run in the Kimmel Center's intimate Perelman Theater (June 5–14). Tickets are available from Ticket Philadelphia at 215.893.1018 or operaphila.org.

Birdland to Present APOLLO LINK, Formerly #SpideyBoys, Next Week
by BWW News Desk - May 8, 2015


The Broadway at Birdland concert series is proud to present APOLLO LINK, Monday, May 11th at 7pm.

Diane Schuur, Lorin Cohen and More Set for Birdland, Week of May 18
by BWW News Desk - May 8, 2015


Birdland Jazz Club has announced its performances for May 18 - May 24, featuring Diane Schuur, Lorin Cohen, Natalie Douglas, and more. Scroll down for details!

Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia Pays Tribute to Billy Strayhorn at Kimmel Center Tonight
by BWW News Desk - May 9, 2015


Legendary jazz composer Billy Strayhorn's music takes center stage when the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia (JOP) plays tribute in the Perelman Theater tonight, May 9 at 8p.m. Presented by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and under the artistic direction of renowned Philadelphia trumpeter Terell Stafford, the performance celebrates Strayhorn's 100th birthday with a special program including 'Take the 'A' Train,' 'Satin Doll,' and Strayhorn's most famous ballad, 'Lush Life.'

Singer-Songwriter Dessy Di Lauro to Play the Blue Note Jazz Fest, 6/5
by BWW News Desk - May 7, 2015


Singer-songwriter, neo-ragtime vocalist Dessy Di Lauro is playing The Blue Note Jazz Fest on Friday, June 5 at Midnight.

Ibla Foundation to Present Competition Winners in Concert
by Tyler Peterson - May 7, 2015


The Ibla Foundation of New York and Dr. Salvatore Moltisanti will present their International Grand Prize Competition Winners in concert on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 - 7 PM at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, 154 West 57th Street in Manhattan.

BWW Reviews: The 2015 Kennedy Center Spring Gala - 'It Don't Mean a Thing...A Celebration of Swing' Performance
by Benjamin Reiser - May 4, 2015


In its 23rd incarnation, the Kennedy Center Spring Gala was a triumph. This year's edition of the Gala — titled “It Don't Mean a Thing…” — paid homage to the big-band music, extraordinary tunes, and iconic dancing of the Swing Era.

James Monroe Iglehart, Robin De Jesus & More Set for 54 Below This Week
by Tyler Peterson - May 4, 2015


Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

ZACH Theatre Casts Broadway's Original Dreamgirl, Jennifer Holliday in Sophisticated Ladies
by Sally Henry Fuller - May 3, 2015


With much excitement, ZACH Theatre announces that Broadway's Original Dreamgirl, Grammy and Tony award-winning JENNIFER HOLLIDAY will star in this summer's Duke Ellington musical revue Sophisticated Ladies. For its premiere production in Austin, the show will play on the Topfer Stage from July 15 - August 23, 2015 under the direction of ABE REYBOLD.

Stooges Brass Band, Plena Libre, Nebraska Jazz Orchestra and More Set for JAZZ ON THE GREEN 2015
by BWW News Desk - May 1, 2015


Omaha Performing Arts again presents Jazz on the Green at Midtown Crossing this summer. The free outdoor concert series runs six consecutive Thursdays, from July 9 to August 13, 2015, in Turner Park at Midtown Crossing. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. on the permanent stage of The Pavilion at Turner Park. The lawn is open beginning at 5:00 p.m. every Thursday. This is the fifth year Omaha Performing Arts has presented the popular series.

Barbara Carroll, Freddy Cole Quartet & More Set for Birdland, Week of 5/11
by Tyler Peterson - May 1, 2015


Birdland Jazz Club has announced its schedule for May 11- May 17, featuring Freddy Cole Quartet with Special Guest Saxophonist Houston Person, Apollo Link, Barbara Carroll and more!

Roslyn Kind, JOHN & JEN Album Release, James Monroe Iglehart and More Set for May/June Lineup at 54 Below
by BWW News Desk - Apr 30, 2015


This May and June, 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.

Count Basie Orchestra, Diane Schuur and More Among Birdland's May 2015 Lineup
by BWW News Desk - May 1, 2015


Birdland Jazz Club has announced its May 2015 schedule, featuring The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra, BossaBrasil, Diane Schuur, Freddy Cole Quartet, Barbara Carroll, Jim Caruso's Cast Party and more! Scroll down for details.

Photo Coverage: Jennifer Sheehan Brings STARDUST: A NIGHT IN THE COSMOS to 54 Below
by Stephen Sorokoff - May 1, 2015


Multiple award-winning performer Jennifer Sheehan and her stellar quartet celebrated the beauty, wonder and romance of the night sky in a song-studded 54 Below evening featuring songs as dazzling and diverse as the stars above - It included music from Pink Martini, Duke Ellington, Sergio Mendes, Melody Gardot, David Bowie, Joni Mitchell and Kurt Weill, just to name a few! It's a celebration of the many ways we come to love the night sky - as wide-eyed children who look up in wonderment, as young lovers who fall under its enchantment, and as star-gazers of all ages who contemplate love and life on this small blue dot in the universe. And, of course, the stars spark our imagination about what lies beyond… so the show also features some fascinating stories about new discoveries about our star-studded cosmos! One might say it's a show that goes where no show has gone before!

Harlem School of the Arts and Jazzmobile Join Forces for their 50th Anniversaries
by Caryn Robbins - Apr 30, 2015


Harlem School of the Arts (HSA) and Jazzmobile will join forces to present an inaugural event on Monday, May 4, 2015

Jazz at Lincoln Center's 2015 Annual Gala 'The World of Duke Ellington' Set for Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Apr 29, 2015


Jazz at Lincoln Center's 2015 Gala, entitled 'The World of Duke Ellington,' will celebrate the indomitable spirit of swing and legacy of Duke Ellington, the most influential figure in American music.

Roslyn Kind, Marilyn Maye, Jennifer Sheehan & More Set for 54 Below This Week
by Tyler Peterson - Apr 27, 2015


Coming up this week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club, presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz and beyond. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.54Below.com or call (646) 476-3551.

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