CENTURY JAZZ ORCHESTRA: Tribute to Duke Ellington

This concert will include Duke Ellington classics like “Take The A Train,” “Such Sweet Thunder” and “Lush Life”, along with a full performance of his Nutcracker Suite. Recorded in 1960 for Columbia Records, Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite features jazz interpretations of Tchaikovsky’s 1892 ballet "The Nutcracker”. This was Duke’s first full length album dedicated to the music of another composer.

Duke Ellington is widely considered one of the most influential figures of 20th century music. He preferred to call his music "American Music" rather than jazz and is recognized as one of the greatest bandleaders and composers of all time. Having penned over 3,000 compositions, Ellington started his career in Washington D.C., but soon moved to New York City during the height of the Harlem Renaissance and began his fabled residency at the Cotton Club with his Orchestra. In the 1930s he started his nearly three decade collaboration with Billy Strayhorn. Asked how he kept a band together for 50 years he said, “You simply have to have a gimmick, and the gimmick I use is to pay them money!” He died in 1974 at the age of 75.

The 17-piece Century Jazz Orchestra (CJO) is an intergenerational ensemble that fosters community with students, teachers and professionals performing alongside each other. Inspired by the Village Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, the CJO performs classic big band repertoire every Monday night at the Century Room! The ensemble is a project of the Sonora Arts & Music Initiative 501(c)3 and is helping keep big band music alive in the 21st Century!