How do you say “Happy 115th Birthday” to a legend? You throw a Birthday Bash Party and Show (April 29, from 7:30 PM until 10 PM at Ballroom Off Fifth (37 West 37th Street between 5th and 6th Avenues). Duke Ellington’s granddaughter, renowned dancer and choreographer Mercedes Ellington, who is  Artistic Director of the Duke Ellington Center, hosts the festivities, with wine, cake,snacks and soft drinks. Music is by the Eli Yamin Trio. Performing talents include tap dancer Alex Cowings, Ballroom dancers Michael Choi and partner, and Singers Marion Cowings, Antoinette Montague, Viktoria Tocca, Adrienne Haan, Kent Drake and a selected Open Mike. (Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/655165) Pre-party festivities included the annual free jazz concert with dancing in Central Park in front of the Duke Ellington Statue overlooking the Gateway to Harlem — the corner of Fifth Avenue and 110th Street in Manhattan. This year’s concert showcased outstanding musical and dance talents. Artists included The Middle School Jazz Academy (MSJA), The Youth Workshop Band from Jazz  At Lincoln Center (JALC), the LaGuardia High School Senior Jazz Band, and the multi-Latin Grammy nominated Afro-Cuban Orchestra, conducted by percussionist and Latin bandleader Bobby Sanabria, two swing dance couples and one jazz tap dancer. Renowned jazz vocalist Antoinette Montague roused the crowd in a gold lame “she-ro” cape and flew us on a musical journey to the jazz greats (Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and of course, the Duke.) Tony Ponella, an up-and-coming singer and finalist in Michael Feinstein contest, contributed his rich vocals and boyish charm. Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington was the 20th century’s most prolific composer, with over 3,000 compositions – which he called American Music -and he took his band all over the globe. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon. In 1999, Duke Ellington was honored with a Pulitzer Prize. Duke believed that racial integration was just a stepping stone to a much more important goal: “Human harmony beyond dignity.” Duke’s April 29 Birthday Bash is a celebration of the life and legacy of real American royalty! Let’s toast the Duke in champagne, birthday cake, and good fellowship! Let freedom ring – and swing! Creative Living: Celebrate great music – sing, dance, or just tap your feet in the audience.  Socialize with positive people. Learn about our great, diverse heritage of popular culture – and don’t forget to have fun! (Photographer/Editor: Jay Berman)

Susan (“Dr. Sue”) Horowitz, Ph.D.

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