On Sunday, September 19th, 2021, the free and open to the public attended the Duke Ellington Concert at The Duke Ellington Statue (at 110th Street and 5th Avenue) in Harlem, NY.
The event was sponsored and organized by Mercedes Ellington granddaughter of Duke Ellington, this fantastic annual concert was suspended because of covid-19.
This event not only provided entertainment but healing through the music of Duke Ellington. Mercedes also brought some different dance styles and different cultures together like Shakespeare in promoting different ways of expressing the music.
The Man
Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington, April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974, was an American composer, pianist, and leader.
Ellington and his Orchestra are perhaps the greatest of all Jazz bands. The group stayed together for over fifty years and recorded and wrote some of America’s greatest music.
The band started in New York City under name of the Washingtonians in 1923, they then briefly became known as Duke Ellington and his Kentucky Club Orchestra, then as Duke Ellington and his Cotton Club Orchestra from 1927 to 1930.
It was through weekly radio broadcasts from the Cotton Club that the orchestra gained nationwide exposure and became famous. After 1931 the band was billed as Duke Ellington and his Orchestra.
Here’s Dukes Take the A Train in Harlem for your musical peasure:
We can’t wait for next year!
Photo credit: 1-16) Seitu Oronder. 17) Youtube.
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