Alex Cowings

BWW Review: Jazz Legends DUKE ELLINGTON and ELLA FITZGERALD Are Celebrated By Performing TRIPLE THREATS In Classy Style at the Friars Club

The spirit of jazz legends Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald (with a little Tito Puente) was palpable in the Milton Berle room at New York's Friars Club on April 25 for the second-annual production of Triple Threats. Broadway veterans (including Duke's granddaughter, Mercedes Ellington, who also co-produced the show) joined some of America's most accomplished jazz musicians to celebrate the April birthdays of the music greats and to honor those performers who sing, dance, and act at the highest levels.

Photo Coverage: Friars Club Celebrates The April Birthdays of Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Tito Puente

Last night Mercedes Ellington granddaughter of Duke Ellington and president and founder of The Duke Ellington Center For The Arts along with co-producer Judi Marks hosted a Triple Threat musical celebration at the legendary Friars Club.  It was a special evening that featured performances of the music of the three giants of Jazz and BroadwayWorld was there.

Candido to Receive Ellington Center's 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award

The legendary Latin and Jazz percussionist Candido, now 103 years young, will be presented with the Duke Ellington Center's 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award, at DECFA's annual “Ring Dem Bells” holiday party and concert Monday, December 8 (5:30 to 9:30 PM) at the Landmark on the Park, 160 Central Park West (at 76th Street), it was announced by Mercedes Ellington, the noted dancer/choreographer, who is Duke Ellington's granddaughter and founder and artistic director of DECFA.

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

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).

Duke Ellington's 115th Birthday Celebration Event Schedule Is Finalized for 4/27 & 4/29

The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts will commemorate the Duke's 115th birthday with an outdoor ceremony and concert on Sunday, April 27th at 1 PM in front of Duke Ellington's statue at 5th Avenue and 110th street. Additionally Duke Ellington's 115th Birthday Bash, a musical birthday Party and show will be celebrated on Duke's actual birthday two days later (Tuesday, April 29, from 7 to 9 PM) at Ballroom off Fifth on 37th St between 5th and 6th Avenues.

The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts Will Commemorate The Duke's 115th Birthday With Outdoor Ceremony & Concert, 4/27-29

Although the legendary Duke Ellington passed away on May 24, 1974, nearly 40 years ago, his fame and stature continue to grow and blossom. Just this past year alone, After Midnight, a big band musical featuring all-Ellington music in a tribute to Harlem's famous Cotton Club, opened on Broadway and is one of the favorites for winning a TONY Award this year; an SRO audience cheered the hundreds of students who participated in Arranging Ellington, concert of Ellington's sacred music, at Carnegie Hall this past March 23; and the Duke Ellington Center Big Band is finalizing plans for concert tours of France and the US during the upcoming year.

Duke Ellington Center For The Arts Celebrates Duke Ellington's 114th Birthday, 4/28-29

Mercedes Ellington, President of The Duke Ellington Center For The Arts, has announced that the 114th Birthday of her grandfather Duke Ellington will be celebrated with two events this year -- today, April 28, and Monday, April 29 (the Duke's actual birthday).

Duke Ellington Center For The Arts to Celebrate Duke Ellington's 114th Birthday, 4/28-29

Mercedes Ellington, President of The Duke Ellington Center For The Arts, has announced that the 114th Birthday of her grandfather Duke Ellington will be celebrated with two events this year -- on Sunday, April 28, and Monday, April 29 (the Duke's actual birthday).

Bob Stewart Tuba Competition Set for Duke Ellington Center for the Arts Today, 10/20

The 1st Annual Bob Stewart Tuba Competition, created by The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts, will be held today, October 20, 2012 from 12 Noon to 5 PM as part of The 37th Annual 52nd Street Duke Ellington Jazz Festival. The competition has been created to provide enhanced exposure to the many dynamic tuba players who perform in improvisational music ensembles in and around the New York area. The five groups chosen for the competition perform in a wide range of genres from traditional and contemporary Jazz to Blues, hip-hop, funk rock and world music.