Event

Novel Jazz Septet

CELEBRATING THE JAZZ OF BILLY STRAYHORN AND DUKE ELLINGTON

This year, in honor of the centennial of Billy Strayhorn's birth, the Novel Jazz Septet is highlighting Strayhorn's contributions to the creative output of the Ellington Orchestra. As the author, David Hajdu, wrote it in his book, Lushlife, "Billy Strayhorn was one of the greatest composers in the history of American music, the creator of a body of work that includes such standards as "Take the 'A' Train". Yet all his life Strayhorn was overshadowed by his friend and collaborator Duke Ellington, with whom he worked for three decades as the Ellington Orchestra's ace songwriter." The Novel Jazz Septet will feature both composers but the program will follow the parallel (and sometimes independent) evolution of Strayhorn's and Ellington's music. They'll feature some rarely-heard Strayhorn pieces, too, songs unearthed during visits to the Smithsonian. This year, the NJS shows are being listed as part of the official international Strayhorn Centennial Celebration events, based out of Chicago (http://www.billystrayhorn.com/). The band is also celebrating the release of their latest CD, "Novel and Novelle". Admission is $18/$20 day of show. Come celebrate the Strayhorn centennial as Novel Jazz Septet keeps jazz alive and swinging!