Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington was a jazz pianist, composer, and band leader. From his early days in Washington DC, he rose to international stardom dazzling audiences from the Cotton Club to Carnegie Hall, and from Melbourne to Moscow, shattering stereotypes and racial barriers along the way. His creative imagination pushed the boundaries of song styles, concert music, religious music, musicals and film scoring. We will listen to such classics as “Sophisticated Ladies”  and “Mood Indigo” as well as “Black, Tan and Beige,” “the Sacred Concerts,” “Jump for Joy,” a musical, and "Anatomy of a Murder,”  the film score. No musical knowledge is necessary for the enjoyment of this class.
Continuing Education Units (CEU) : 2

You'll walk away with

• Familiarity with the history of jazz
• An understanding of the role of music in the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights Movement, and the Cold War
• An appreciation for the artistry of the Duke Ellington Orchestra
• Knowledge about the contributions of African-American artists to American culture

Ideal for

• Music lovers
• All members of the community—working, retired, and in-between