Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra brings a series of bold tributes to Duke Ellington’s great bond with the African continent. Led by legendary trumpeter Wynton Marsalis these performances connect Harlem, Dakar and Lincoln Center through works like Afro-Bossa (1963), the Grammy award-winning Togo Brava Suite (1971), alongside other compositions by Marsalis.
Almost 60 years after Ellington’s performance in Dakar, this three-concert cycle unfolds at the home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, the iconic Frederick P. Rose Hall. It is one of the world’s most renowned jazz venues, having hosted some of the biggest names in jazz, from Ella Fitzgerald and Dizzy Gillespie to Herbie Hancock.
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Ellington’s deep connection to Africa
Duke Ellington’s bond with Africa was deep and evolving. Not only did he have the continent in mind when composing songs like “Jungle Style”, he also fulfilled a lifelong dream and toured a number of countries under the U.S. State Department in the ’60s.
The show that really left a mark across audiences was his performance in Dakar, Senegal in 1966. He performed “La Plus Belle Africaine” as a featured guest at the first Festival Mondial des Arts Nègres (World Festival of Negro Arts) hosted by President Léopold Sédar Senghor, captivating guests with jazz, swing and “jungle music” and his signature big smile.
Duke in Africa: Tickets and tour details
With co-musical directors Chris Lewis and Alexa Tarantino, the series arrives just after the JLCO’s own and highly successful three-week tour of Africa. You can still get tickets online at the Jazz at Lincoln Center website. Following the NYC shows, the orchestra will take the program across the States, sharing Duke Ellington’s legacy and African-inspired music to new generations.
📆 January 15-17
🕑 7:30PM
🎟️ Tickets start at $42
ℹ️ There will be a pre-concert lecture before the show at 6:30PM
More jazz shows in January
The Blue Note is hosting Michael League with Nate Smith and James Francies on January 13 and 14 for a mix of original music from all three artists. The Jazz Room is taking music lovers back to the genre’s roots on January 18 at Sony Hall, paying tributes to the likes of Louis Armstrong. What’s more, Luther S. Allison leads a dynamic dectet for another Ellington-inspired series of the composer’s most personal works, taking place on January 30 and 31.