The Players' Duke Ellington Birthday Concert and Cocktail Reception Set for Tonight, 4/29

The Duke Ellington Center For The Arts and The Players co-present a Benefit Cocktail Reception and Concert by the Duke Ellington Center Big Band at The Players, 16 Gramercy Park South, tonight, Sunday, April 29, 2012, – Duke Ellington's 113th Birthday. The concert will feature performances of Duke Ellington's most memorable musical pieces performed by the Duke Ellington Center Big Band, under the direction of Frank Owens, plus vocals by Antoinette Montague and Marion Cowings; a performance by The Mickey Davidson Swing Dancers; and the ballroom artistry of Michael Choi.

There will be a Cocktail Reception (Cash Bar) from 6:00 to 7:30 PM in the 2nd Floor Reception Area. The performance will be held in the 2nd Floor Great Hall where there will be a Music Charge of $35 per person. The venue will be set up cabaret-style with small cocktail tables filling the room. The Band and vocalists will be positioned on the stage and the dance performances will take place on a dance floor set up in front of the stage.

To purchase tickets, visit: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/3395093817/es2?srnk=2
Tickets may also be purchased at the door with cash or check. Seating is limited and reservations are strongly recommended by calling The Players at 212-475-6116.

During the evening, a Birthday Cake in honor of Duke's 113th will be brought on stage and people in the audience will raise a toast of Coca-Cola (Duke's favorite soft drink) to his memory while the Band, the performers and the audience sing Happy Birthday to Duke!

The event will be hosted by Mercedes Ellington, Duke's granddaughter, who is founder and President of the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts.

"Duke Ellington Week is one of the most exciting weeks of the year for me, all jazz lovers and for Duke Ellington aficionados," Mercedes says. "With more than 3,000 compositions, Ellington was the 20th century's most prolific composer in both volume and variety. His fame spread worldwide and he built a fantastic career as a musician, composer, songwriter, orchestra leader and innovator of American Music that began in the 1920's and continued non-stop until his death in 1974. His music is as popular today as it was during his lifetime. And it is one of the missions of the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts to support the inspiration of all people to become Ambassadors for Peace and Harmony through the magic of the Arts-one note at a time."

Earlier in the day, the Duke Ellington Center for the Performing Arts will host its annual Birthday Tribute to Duke in front of his statue at 5th Avenue and 110th Street in Harlem. There will be a band playing Ellington music as well as singers and dancers performing his unforgettable music. This is a Free Event!

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