Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (1899 – 1974) composed over three thousand jazz pieces, often collaborating with other artists, from East St. Louis Toodle-OO with trumpet player Bubber Miley (recorded in 1927) to many that have become jazz standards, like Mood Indigo with Barney Bigard, and It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing) both with lyrics by Irving Mills, I Got It Bad (and That Ain’t Good) with lyrics by Paul Francis Webster; and Don’t Get Around Much Anymore with lyrics by Bob Russell. He performed, recorded, and made famous compositions by other artists, like Billy Strayhorn’s Take the A Train, which became one of the Duke Ellington Orchestra’s signature pieces.
He led the Duke Ellington Orchestra from 1923 until his death in 1974, and the orchestra was also a major influence on compositions, for Ellington sought out musicians with a distinctive playing style, and composed with them in mind – and the Duke Ellington Orchestra still plays on!
The Duke Ellington Orchestra keeps the legacy alive, performing Ellington’s “American Music” as he liked to call it, not just the standards and popular hits, but also re-introducing contemporary audiences to some of the lesser known songs. The 15 member Duke Ellington Orchestra is under the artistic direction of Ellington’s grandson Paul Ellington and Allen Lichtenstein, with Charlie Young conducting.
Performances
Saturday, May 14th at Beit HaAm, Heichal HaTarbut Rehovot, 21:30. To order tickets call: 08-9232200.
Sunday, May 15th at Heichal HaTarbut Tel Aviv, 20:30. Tickets may be ordered online via this link.
Monday, May 16th at Congress Center Haifa, 20:00. To order tickets call 04-8629959.
Ticket prices range from 200 NIS – 400 NIS.
