The holiday concert of “Sacred Music by Duke Ellington,” will be presented at 7:30pm on Saturday, December 28nd, 2013, at Town Hall Seattle (1119 Eighth Avenue, Seattle). This very special event, now celebrating its 25th anniversary, features the all-star Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra with guest vocalists Everett Greene and Nichol Venee Eskridge, the 30-voice Northwest Chamber Chorus, and tap-dancer Alex Dugdale.
The Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra is directed by Ellington scholar Michael Brockman, professor of saxophone at the University of Washington, and Clarence Acox, drummer and award-winning band director at Seattle’s Garfield high school. Many of Seattle’s favorite jazz artists are to be featured, including trumpeter Thomas Marriott, pianist Bill Anschell, saxophonists Mark Taylor, Bill Ramsay and Travis Ranney, bassist Phil Sparks, and many more. The SRJO’s double-album “Sacred Music of Duke Ellington” continues to be widely praised by the national media, including recognition as one of the “Best Recordings of 2006” by audiophileaudition.com.
For the fifth time, vocalist Everett Greene, a renowned Emmy Award winning vocalist and touring veteran with the Count Basie Orchestra, joins the cast. Returning for this year’s concert is vocalist Nichol Venee Eskridge (who is also featured on the SRJO’s Sacred Music of Duke Ellington CD), tap-dancer Alex Dugdale (a graduate of Roosevelt High School and the Eastman School of Music), and the Northwest Chamber Chorus under the direction of Mark Kloepper.
Duke Ellington is one of the great composers in American history. His engaging “Sacred Music,” both serious and swinging, premiered at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco in 1965 and was performed in programs around the world until his death in 1974. Embracing jazz heritage and diverse faiths, the concert celebrates Ellington’s Universalist philosophy that “Every man prays in his own language. There is no language God does not understand.” Full production includes big band, jazz vocals, choir, and tap dancer.
The Sacred Concerts are a long-standing holiday tradition presented by Earshot Jazz, Seattle’s nonprofit jazz organization.
Tickets for the concert are $28 general admission. Discounts available for Earshot members, senior citizens and students. Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets at brownpapertickets.com or 1-800-838-3006.
For more information, contact Earshot Jazz at 206-547-6763 or go online at earshot.org.