Ellington

Curriculum Connections: Social Studies, U.S. History, African American History, Arts Education
Grade: 3-6

Targeting young audiences in grades 3-6, ELLINGTON! is a highly engaging, interactive live multi-media educational program that aims to illuminate the rich, vital legacy of the great American composer, pianist and bandleader, Duke Ellington.

One of the most prolific, celebrated musicians in music history, Duke Ellington's canon comprises a timeless, highly personal aural account of both, the human condition and African-American experience of the 20th century. Through the creative integration of live music, captivating video projections, live narration and numerous audience-particiation segments, JazzReach's ELLINGTON! introduces new generations to a wide variety of Duke's broad array of musical achievements, from hit songs to blues riffs to extended suites and scores for stage and screen.

ELLINGTON! was commissioned by and successfully premiered at the Robert Ferst Center for Performing Arts in February, 2011.