A concert celebrating Duke Ellington’s 120th birthday, as part of the Off Minor Jazz Series.

Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn

Ellington elevated the perception of jazz to an art form on a par with other more traditional musical genres. During his five-decade career, he wrote more than one thousand compositions, making his extensive body of work the largest recorded personal jazz legacy, with many of his works becoming standards. His mark on American music is indelible.

In this tribute concert, the Alphabet City All-Stars—featuring James Moore(trumpet), Paul Cosentino (reeds), Jeff Bush (trombone), Alton Merrell (piano), Paul Thompson (bass),and Thomas Wendt (drums)—will play both well-known and lesser known selections from Ellington‘s jazz repertoire.

Alphabet City/City of Asylum, North Side

Paul Cosentino, Jeff Bush, Paul Thompson, Thomas Wendt, Alton Merrell, Jeff Bush