Duke Ellington Celebration

Praised for “lush sonorities and a saxophonic blend worthy of Ellington’s finest reed sections” (Jazz Times),  the venerable Aardvark Jazz Orchestra, has a long tradition of Ellington Celebration Concerts.  The band, led by founder and music director Mark Harvey, will open its historic 49th season with classic Ellingtonia like Satin Doll and I’m Beginning to See the Light, as well as joyful selections from the Ellington Sacred Concerts, including the lyrical Come Sunday and the jubliant It’s Freedom.

With worldwide distribution of 16 CDs and performances in festivals, churches, concert halls, colleges and universities, Aardvark has been a major force in the international jazz scene for almost 50 years.  The band has premiered more than 175 works for jazz orchestra and has garnered critical acclaim around the globe.  Of the band’s 16 CDs, ten are on Leo Records, one of the world’s leading adventurous music labels.  Aardvark guest artists have included luminaries like Sheila Jordan, Ricky Ford, Geri Allen, Jaki Byard, Jimmy Giuffre, and others.   Aardvark is: Arni Cheatham, Peter H. Bloom, Phil Scarff, Chris Rakowski, Dan Zupan/saxes and woodwinds; Mike Peipman, Jeanne Snodgrass/trumpets; Bob Pilkington, Jay Keyser/trombones; Jeff Marsanskis, Bill Lowe/bass trombones, tuba; Rick McLaughlin/string bass; Richard Nelson/guitar; Harry Wellott/drums; Grace Hughes, vocalist; and Mark Harvey, arranger/music director.