Mercedes Ellington News

?He's going to put a smile on your face and song in your heart.

Join Mercedes Ellington as we celebrate the publication of her book, 'Duke Ellington: An American Composer and Icon,' co-authored by Steven Brower, published by Rizzoli.

The 24th International Duke Ellington Study Group Conference will be presented by the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts (DECFA) in New York City starting tomorrow (Thursday, May 19) Duke Ellington and continuing through Sunday, May 22, 2016.

The spirit of jazz legends Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald (with a little Tito Puente) was palpable in the Milton Berle room at New York's Friars Club on April 25 for the second-annual production of Triple Threats. Broadway veterans (including Duke's granddaughter, Mercedes Ellington, who also co-produced the show) joined some of America's most accomplished jazz musicians to celebrate the April birthdays of the music greats and to honor those performers who sing, dance, and act at the highest levels.

The 24th International Duke Ellington Study Group Conference will be presented by the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts (DECFA) in New York City from Thursday, May 19, through Sunday, May 22, 2016, it was announced today by acclaimed dancer/choreographer Mercedes Ellington, Founder and President of the New York based arts organization created in 2004 to further the legacy of her grandfather, the legendary composer/Jazz musician/Orchestra leader, Duke Ellington.

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.

On March 8th, Boys' & Girls' Towns of Italy (BGTI) hosted a kick-off reception at The Doubles Club for their annual New York Spring Ball on April 5th.

Hines has created a charismatic confection that incorporates vintage photos, bittersweet memories, enthusiastic tap dancing and a mega-talented all-female band.

MAURICE HINES TAPPIN' THRU LIFE is a swinging, song and dance musical that celebrates the astonishing showmanship of one of the last great tap dancers of a by-gone era still working today and whose collaborators were a jaw-dropping, who's who of theatre, music, film and television. Co-starring the fierce tap dancing Manzari brothers and the all female vivacious Diva Jazz Orchestra, the show is directed by Jeff Calhoun (Newsies, Deaf West's Big River, Grease). Performances began December 23rd at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street), and opening night is tonight, January 11th.

Centenary Stage Company hits the ground running in the New Year with an array of musical guests primed to heat up the Lackland Center for the January THAW Music Festival.  The festival launches on Saturday, January 16 at 2pm with The Duke Ellington Center Big Band under the direction of Mercedes Ellington and their exciting, hand-clapping, finger-snapping, dynamic musical journey from the Jazz clubs of Harlem and the Apollo Theater, to the downtown night clubs and Broadway stages, with 'Duke Ellington:  Composer Beyond Category' . 

He's going to put a smile on your face and song in your heart.

'Duke Ellington: Composer Beyond Category' is an exciting, hand-clapping, finger-snapping, dynamic musical journey from the Jazz clubs of Harlem and the Apollo Theater, to the downtown night clubs and Broadway stages, with The Duke Ellington Center Big Band under the direction of Mercedes Ellington. The performance will be held in the Sitnik Theater of Centenary Stage Company's Lackland Center on Saturday, January 16 at 2pm.

Music permeates Centenary Stage Company's Lackland Center during the month of January with the January THAW Music Festival. Featuring the music of legends and some of New York's hottest artists this year's festival includes; 'Duke Ellington: Composer Beyond Category' by The Duke Ellington Center Big Band under the direction of Mercedes Ellington, the Bria Skonberg Quintet and 'An Oscar Moment' with the Matt Baker Quartet.

Juilliard Dance, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes, opens its 2015-16 season this month with 'New Dances: Edition 2015' featuring four world-premiere dances by innovative choreographers Helen Simoneau (First-Year Dancers); Aszure Barton (Second-Year Dancers); Zvi Gotheiner (Third-Year Dancers); and Kyle Abraham(Fourth-Year Dancers).

He's going to put a smile on your face and song in your heart.

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.

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).