All the kids in the band...

 

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Live: May 2025

It is advisable to book any event listed here in advance when possible and check with the promoter/ organiser to ensure any performance is going ahead as planned before travelling.

Wednesday 7- Sunday 11 May

Essentially Ellington 2025

Details here.

Thursday 8 May- Sunday 11 May 2025

Julliard Jazz Orchestra Plays Ellington: The Blanton-Webster Era

The Juilliard Jazz Orchestra takes the stage at Dizzy’s Club, showcasing the extraordinary talent fostered at one of the world’s most prestigious music institutions. These rising stars, already making waves in the jazz scene, are mentored by some of today’s most respected musicians. Known for their sold-out performances at the club, they return with a dynamic tribute to Duke Ellington, focusing on the iconic Jimmy Blanton and Ben Webster era (1940-1942). Experience the energy, passion, and precision that define Juilliard’s legacy and the bright future of jazz.

PERFORMANCE LINEUP

JJO 6A (May 8 & 10) 

Mejedi Owusu, lead trumpet 
Jack Towse, trumpet 
Nathaniel Williford, trumpet 
Miles Keingstein, trumpet 
Nick Mesler, lead trombone 
Grace Rock, trombone 
Luke Ramee, trombone 
Adam Stein, lead alto saxophone 
Kelvin Walters, alto saxophone 
Aidan McKeon, lead tenor saxophone 
Daniel Cohen, tenor saxophone 
Nicklas Caldwell, baritone saxophone 
Blake Slaughter, guitar 
Brandon Goldberg, piano 
Pedro Sequeira, vibraphone 
Allison Lee, bass 
Karl Seyer-Hansen, drums 
Ava Preston, vocals 

JJO 6B (May 9 & 11) 
Miles Keingstein, lead trumpet 
Mejedi Owusu, trumpet 
Preston Rupert, trumpet 
Ace Williams, trumpet 
Luciano Soriano, lead trombone 
Andre Perlman, trombone 
Grace Rock, trombone 
Sion Song, lead alto saxophone 
Miriam Goroff-Behel, alto saxophone 
Daniel Cohen, lead tenor saxophone 
Gustavo Cruz, tenor saxophone 
Veronica Leahy, baritone saxophone 
Edwin Corne, guitar 
José André Montaño, piano 
Lazlo Torok, vibraphone 
Logan Zaud, bass 
Jesse Parker, drums 
Kate Kortum, vocals 

Details here.

Saturday, 17 May, 16:30 (EST)

Ellington Pianiste with Philippe Milanta

Salle Ferrier - Site Duranti du Conservatoire Charles Munch, 7 rue Duranti 75011

WORKSHOP organisé par la Maison du Duke et Leïla Olivesi avec les CMA 11 et CMA 20

"Ellington, pianiste" avec Philippe Milanta

Samedi 17 mai à 16h30 - Conservatoire Charles Munch CMA 11 - 7 rue Duranti - 75011 - Salle Ferrier

Philippe Milanta est un pianiste exceptionnel et protéiforme. Lauréat du prix Sidney Bechet et du Prix Jazz Classique de l'Académie du Jazz, il excelle aussi dans le domaine du jazz moderne comme en attestent ses deux derniers albums : WASH en solo et 1,2,3,4 en quartet. Il a collaboré avec des artistes variés tels que André Villéger, Claude Bolling, Glenn Ferris ou Stan Laferrière pour n'en citer que quelques uns. Pianiste du Duke Orchestra de Laurent Mignard, Philippe est maître dans l'art ellingtonien et il joue cette musique d'une façon moderne et créative.

Le workshop sur la musique d'Ellington donnera lieu à une masterclasse et un petit concert de restitution des élèves et de Philippe Milanta.

Details here.

Sunday, 18 May 15:00 (EDT)

Ellington Effect Workshop #51: Sepia Panorama

with David Berger

Can't make the live call?  Your ticket includes access to the video recording forever.
Each presentation will last around 2 hours, followed by a Q & A.
Joining any workshop also gets you access to the private Ellington Effect Facebook group, where lively discussions continue after the workshops finish.

About Sepia Panorama

This piece is one in a long line that mixes the blues form with other forms like Birmingham Breakdown, Black And Tan Fantasy, The Mooche, Merry Go-Round, Jack The Bear and many more to come, like The Blues from Black, Brown, And Beige, Happy Go-Lucky Local and, of course, Harlem.

Normally, Ellington gave Strayhorn credit for his compositions and arrangements, but as in the case here and numerous other pieces where Strayhorn only contributed a few bars or even as much as a chorus or two, Ellington receives full credit. This is an early example where Ellington lifted eight bars of ensemble from Strayhorn’s unrecorded arrangement of Tuxedo Junction. Ellington’s instructions to Tizol (the copyist) said, “To TJ”. This section occurs twice accompanying Carney’s solos. The rest of the piece is Ellington.

Part of Ellington’s genius is his ability to integrate other’s contributions into his concept. In this case, Strayhorn’s aggressive 8-bar phrase is the perfect foil to the relaxed, understanded surrounding sections. Its relationship to the opening and closing chorus forms a palindromic rondo—ABCDCBA, which in European Classical music is a common form but rare in jazz.

Also integrated are the personalities of the soloists (Blanton, Tizol, Williams, Carney, a duet between the piano player and Blanton, and Webster) into the ensemble writing. In live performance (such as the Fargo recording in November), the two interior solo blues chorus were each repeated. Both Ellington and Webster stayed close to their recorded solos for the first chorus. The time restraints of the 78-rpm phonograph record forced the soloist to be more succinct and pithier. As in the case of other Ellington and Basie condensed recorded versions, this sometimes made for more focused forms.

Sepia Panorama served as the band’s radio opening theme until the ASCAP/BMI war (Warm Valley was the closing radio theme). Ellington, being an ASCAP composer could not have his compositions played on the radio, which BMI controlled. The remedy was to use a piece composed by Billy Strayhorn to begin and end each radio broadcast. Take The 'A' Train took over in January 1941 and became the band’s theme for all performances henceforth, replacing Sepia Panorama on the radio, and the more evocative East St. Louis Toodle-oo on live performances.

Details here.

Sunday 18 May, 17:30 (PDT) 

Francesco Crosara Ellington Tribute

Cellar Cat, 11253 NE State Hwy 104 Kingston, WA

Details here.

Thursday, 22 May, 2025, 19:00 (EDT)

National Jazz Museum in Harlem Celebrates Lawrence Brown

Nick Mesler and Quartet

Join trombonist, arranger, composer, and bandleader Nick Mesler for an evening celebrating the life and legacy of the great trombonist Lawrence Brown, whose trombone NJMH currently has on permanent display. Nick will perform this concert on Brown’s horn, a King Liberty 2B from 1950, and will be accompanied by a rhythm section (TBA) of other young lions steeped in the jazz idiom.

Musical selections will include compositions Brown wrote (or co-wrote with Duke Ellington and others), as well as premieres of rare original works; the evening will also include conversation and expert discussion of Brown’s life and legacy with NJMH Senior Scholar Loren Schoenberg. Enjoy hearing Nick’s signature, beautiful sound on Brown’s horn, which has been played very little since he passed. This will be a true night to remember!

Lawrence Brown, one of the forefathers of the trombone and a pioneer in melodic playing across the jazz idiom, is under-appreciated in the modern day. Born in 1907, Brown influenced nearly every notable trombonist of his era and beyond, from balladeers Tommy Dorsey and Jack Jenny (who copied his intense, melodic style and embellishments) to J.J. Johnson, Curtis Fuller, and beyond. Not only was his soloing studied and emulated, but his lead playing in Duke Ellington’s Orchestra from 1932-1950 and again from 1960-70 solidified him as a true musician’s musician; reliable, emotive, and responsible for much of the trombone section stylings heard in big bands from the 1930s to the present.

Nick Mesler was born and raised in Seattle, WA, where he quickly established himself as a preeminent jazz trombonist, composer, and scholar during his formative years. After moving to NYC in 2021, he quickly immersed himself in the scene as a passionate young musician dedicated to embodying and furthering the jazz idiom.

Nick is currently earning both his Bachelor’ and Master’s degrees in jazz studies from the Juilliard School via their five-year program, and has performed at venues across the world. He has played/collaborated with many luminaries of the music, including the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis, Rufus Reid, Melissa Aldana, Ingrid Jensen, Russell Malone, Warren Wolf, Elio Villafranca, Loren Schoenberg, and many others.

An accomplished composer and arranger, Nick leads his own big band, which recently premiered his first long-form suite, Alone in the Dark. Additionally, he has become a specialist on Duke Ellington, his legacy, and his band through both a musical and historical lens by transcribing many rare Duke Ellington/Billy Strayhorn works.

This event is FREE. RSVP here.

Essentially Ellington 2025

Essentially Ellington 2025, the thirtieth anniversary of Jazz At Lincoln Center's annual band competition begins in a week's time.

The entire festivities may be watched for free here.

From the website:

JOIN US FOR THE 30TH ANNUAL ESSENTIALLY ELLINGTON FESTIVAL!

We’re thrilled to welcome 30 outstanding high school jazz bands to New York City for the 30th Annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival, taking place May 7–11, 2025. This milestone year features five days of workshops, performances, and community building, culminating in a spectacular final concert at the Metropolitan Opera House. Tickets for select competition events and the final concert are on sale now.

All competition events leading up to the final will stream for free on Jazz Live, and tickets for the final concert featuring the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis and top-placing student big bands are on sale now. We can’t wait to celebrate the future of jazz with this incredible community.

The 2025 finalist bands are listed in the video below—each one set to take part in a week of music, mentorship, and celebration. Keep exploring to see the full lineup and this year’s exciting festival schedule.

MAY 11

FINAL CONCERT AT THE METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE

Don’t miss a rare opportunity to see the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) with Wynton Marsalis in concert at the iconic Metropolitan Opera House. This landmark event, taking place May 11, 2025, is the culmination of the 30th annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival, Jazz at Lincoln Center’s premier education initiative, which brings together top high school jazz ensembles from across the globe for rehearsals, jam sessions, master classes, performances, and community-building. Alongside the JLCO’s headlining set, the afternoon will feature top-placing student big bands, making this a powerful tribute to the future of jazz and an unforgettable experience at one of New York City’s most storied venues.

BUY TICKETS

And don't forget - to celebrate thirty years of Essentially Ellington, Blue Engine Records has released the equivalent of over a dozen CDs of recordings by the Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra: Essentially Ellington: The JLC Recordings 1999-2025