Tuesday, February 21, 2012

MDTheatreGuide.com: 'Ellington: A Sacred Concert at The Music Center at Strathmore'


[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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