Duke Ellington Center's 2014 RING DEM BELLS Holiday Party and Concert Set for Dec 8

The year was 1930 and the recently formed Duke Ellington Orchestra had just recorded its first hit record on October 15 featuring "Mood Indigo" on Side A and a holiday song "Ring Dem Bells" (which he composed for the Amos 'n Andy movie musical "Check and Double Check") on Side B. Although both songs became big hits, no one could have predicted that "Ring Dem Bells" - a jazz song -- would become one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time!

Mercedes Ellington, artistic director of the non-profit Duke Ellington Center for the Arts which she created in 2004 to further the legacy of her grandfather's music and achievements, has since presented an annual holiday party and concert - called "Ring Dem Bells" -- as a fund raiser toward the endowment of the Center's education fund. This year's "Ring Dem Bells" holiday party will take place on Monday evening, December 8, 2014, at Landmark On the Park, a popular event venue at 160 Central Park West (at 76th Street).

The event, hosted by Ms. Ellington, will begin at 5:30 PM with a Special VIP-Only Champagne Reception, followed by a Social Hour from 6:30 to 7:30, and the Holiday Concert from 7:45 to 9:30 PM. The concert will be highlighted by a performance of Duke Ellington's renowned Nutcracker featuring Bobby Sanabria and his Multi-Grammy-nominated Multiverse Big Band with Ballroom dancers Michael Choi and Partner and tap dancers Evan Ruggiero, Alex Cowings and Karen Callaway Williams.

There will be a special tribute to NEA Jazz Master Candido Camero featuring a performance of the Afro-Cuban Jazz Suite for Ellington by Bobby Sanabria and his band.

Also performing will be Broadway, Jazz and Cabaret stars Steve Ross, Lee Roy Reams, Stacy Sullivan, Larry Marshall, Antoinette Montague, Walter Willison, Karen Wyman, E Rose and winners of the recently held Duke Ellington Center Vocal Competition - Charles Turner, Noel Simone Wippler and Kathryn Holtkamp. They will be backed on a keyboard by theatre and cabaret Music Director Eugene Gwozdz. The performances will be directed by Pamela Hunt.

Catering is provided by Spoonbread, Di Palo Fine Foods, Grotta Azzurra Ristorante, Radeburger Beer and more.

Tickets are $65 per person or $100 per couple. The VIP Package ($100 per person or $175 per couple) includes the CHAMPAGNE VIP Reception with entertainment, priority concert seating, a program listing and a Goody Bag! There will also be silent and live auctions for valuable prizes.

A portion of the proceeds are earmarked toward the endowment of the Center's Education Fund. (The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts is a 501(c) 3 Non Profit.) Your ticket purchases and donations are tax deductible. One of the Center's missions is to ensure that the global legacy of Duke Ellington, America's most prolific composer of the 20th century, continues to be celebrated in performance and through a variety of educational initiatives.

Tickets may be purchased in advance (before December 1, 2014) by sending your checks, made payable to The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts, at: The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts, 211 Duke Ellington Boulevard, Suite #7A, New York, NY 10025. Or online at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/917451.

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