Meilemer Jazznächte: Ellington Extravaganza
A Duke Ellington best-of program
In recent years, the Zurich Jazz Orchestra has specialized in the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn and performed the original arrangements of the albums “Far East Suite”, “Such Sweet Thunder”, “The Nutcracker” and “And His Mother Called Him Bill”.
Now the time has come and we present a “best of” our exploration of Duke Ellington’s music, an evening full of highlights from these recordings and masterpieces created for eternity.
The late 1950s and early 1960s were some of the most fertile years in Ellington’s creative life, and both he and Billy Strayhorn were writing at the height of their powers. The Ellington orchestra of this period was also one of the best the maestro ever had, with talented newcomers and seasoned veterans combining to form a tight, swinging ensemble with exciting solo fireworks.
The music is sophisticated and swinging, and the ZJO’s outstanding soloists will provide a thrilling complement to the orchestra’s great ensemble playing.