“Ritz Chamber Players Celebrate Black Music Month, as featured in Ebony Magazine, by offering FREE DOWNLOADS of our live performances from our website. African-American musicians, singers, and composers have contributed immensely to our cultural history. The Ritz Chamber Players are proud to continue this great heritage and tradition.” Works include Mozart's Epistle Sonatas, Nos. 1-4, performed by Tai Murray and Mellasenah Edwards – Violins, Troy Stuart – Cello and Marvin Mills – Organ.
February 24
Posted by Luís Antunes in Music
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was born 1899 in Washington, D.C. (1899 - 1974). By the time of his passing, he was considered amongst the world’s greatest composers and musicians.
Ellington called his style and sound "American Music" rather than jazz, and liked to describe those who impressed him as "beyond category", including many of the musicians who served with his orchestra, some of whom were themselves considered among the giants of jazz and remained with Ellington's orchestra for decades. While many were noteworthy in their own right, it was Ellington that melded them into one of the most well-known orchestral units in the history of jazz.
Some of Ellington’s greatest works include “Rockin’ in Rhythm,” “Satin Doll,” “New Orleans,” “A Drum is a Women,” “Take the 'A' Train,” “Happy-Go-Lucky Local,” “The Mooche,” and “Crescendo in Blue.” Duke Ellington wrote and recorded hundreds of musical compositions, all of which will continue to have a lasting effect upon people worldwide for a long time to come. [Duke Ellington is profiled at AfriClassical.com]
The Myrtle Hart Society eNewsletter for February notes the 60th anniversary of the Southeast Symphony of Los Angeles, http://www.SoutheastSymphony.org:
“The Southeast Symphony, a community orchestra in Los Angeles made up of primarily African-American musicians, is celebrating their 60th anniversary! Under the baton of Music Director Charles Dickerson, the ensemble "aspires to remove perceived barriers from participation in, and appreciation for classical repertoire by presenting concerts in areas where access to live classical music is limited, and by offering and providing music instruction to young people in these areas." If you are in the LA area, attend this Annual Black History Concert featuring 17-year-old pianist Nicholas King.
Program also includes the Cuban Overture by George Gershwin, Symphony No. 1 (Afro-American Symphony) by William Grant Still, and the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2. Sunday, February 10 at 3:00 PM, Trinity Baptist Church, 2040 West Jefferson Blvd. Los Angeles, CA.”
[William Grant Still is one of 52 composers and musicians of African descent who are profiled at AfriClassical.com, where over 100 audio samples of their music can be heard.]
