[Morgan
State University Choir]
Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington (1899-1974) is featured at
AfriClassical.com as a composer of both jazz and classical music.
Paragraph 9 of the Ellington page discusses his Sacred Concerts. Eric
Conway, D.M.A., Fine
and Performing Arts Department, Chairperson, Morgan
State University, www.msuchoir.org, forwards a link to a review of the Feb. 19 performance:
By Jane Coyne -
February 21, 2012
"On Sunday, February 19, 2012, The Music Center
at Strathmore presented the final concert in its three week long
Discovering
Ellington Festival.
I cannot imagine a more fitting tribute to Edward Kennedy Ellington,
considered by many to be the greatest jazz musician who has ever
lived, than this festival. Thank you, Strathmore, for this wonderful
gift.
"Ellington: A
Sacred Concert
was one extraordinary concert. Throughout the afternoon, with
refreshingly youthful energy and spirit, the Morgan State University
Choir, directed by Eric Conway, filled the concert hall with a
glorious vocal sound that was perfect for this sacred celebration.
Their performance in 'Hallelujah' and 'It’s Freedom' were
particularly inspired.
"On the instrumental
side, barring the return of Duke Ellington and the incredible
musicians of his own orchestra, I cannot fathom a better group of
musicians performing this concert than the Smithsonian Jazz
Masterworks Orchestra, directed by David Baker. A national treasure,
their talent runs deep and wide, and their command of the many styles
of music broadly classified as jazz is impressive. I love them.
Featured guest artists for this concert included Allan Harris and
Kehembe Eichelberger on vocals and the return of the fast tapping
Manzari Brothers, who also performed in an earlier festival concert
alongside the one and only Brian Stokes Mitchell."
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