Join us to celebrate Jazz Appreciation Month, family-style. Led by brothers John & Jeff Clayton [bass and alto sax], this group’s blend of blues, bop, ballads and swing embody all there is to love about jazz.
This celebration of one of the most important, prolific, and highly revered American composers includes the following activities over two days of live music, education and outreach:
— a day-long educational symposium and master classes for middle school, high school and collegiate level students, including a panel discussion with Ellington specialist, trumpeter and arranger Barrie Hall and NEA Jazz Masters Clark Terry and Dan Morgenstern;
— an Ellington exhibit of photos and artifacts, and the unveiling of a new Ellington bust by Sacramento-based artist Howard Lazar;
— a public outreach presentation on Ellington by ewnowned jazz scholar and NEA Jazz Master Dan Morgenstern;
— a showcase performance of Ellington music featuring invited student ensembles and a specially formed professional Kansas City All-Star Ellington Orchestra.
NEA Jazz Master Clark Terry, an iconic trumpeter and veteran of Duke Ellington’s bands, will also be presented with the American Jazz Museum Lifetime Achievement Award. Tribute concert will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2010.
*The Duke Ellington Tribute is supported by NEA Jazz Masters Live, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. For more information on this initiative, visit www.nea.gov/national/jazz.
Closing out the season "KC-style" is our town's very own 18th & Vine Big Band, led by Palmetto Recording Artist, renowned saxophonist and UMKC Director of Jazz Studies Bobby Watson. The Big Band, which features a rotating cast of some of Kansas City's best jazz musicians, will be augmented by the rich, bluesy baritone of special guest vocalist Ernie Andrews.
