MODA Entertainment Announces Ellington on Ellington At Borders Honoring Duke Ellington's 110th

PR Log (Press Release) – Apr 25, 2009 – Borders Columbus Circle (in the Time Warner Center) in association with Legacy Recordings, ICON Collectibles and MODA Entertainment, is proud to present Ellington on Ellington on April 29th at 7PM in honor of Duke Ellington’s 110th Birthday. Ellington’s grandchildren Paul and Mercedes Ellington will speak and host a Q & A about the legendary musician and cultural icon’s career, life and music. Following there will be tribute performances of Duke Ellington music by special guests and members of the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

Newly released DUKE ELLINGTON Fine Art Prints by ICON Collectibles from the Sony Music Entertainment Archives will be on display and available for purchase.

WHEN:            April 29th, 7-9PM
WHERE:          Borders Columbus Circle (in the Time Warner Center)

Newly released DUKE ELLINGTON Fine Art Prints by ICON Collectibles from the Sony Music Entertainment Archives will be on display and available for purchase.

DUKE ELLINGTON DAY - TAKE THE A TRAIN:
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has declared April 29 Duke Ellington Day in honor of the 110th
anniversary of the jazz legend’s birth.  To commemorate his life, The Islands Of The Bahamas is sponsoring an April 29th, special run of the last surviving 1939 ‘A’ Train, made famous by Duke Ellington’s signature tune Take the A Train. Paul Ellington and the world famous Duke Ellington Orchestra will perform the iconic song on the mezzanine at 125th Street and St. Nicholas at 10AM. All musicians will then board and perform on the historic train as it travels out on regular service.

ABOUT DUKE ELLINGTON:
Duke Ellington, one of the 20th century's most renowned musicians, is among the signature figures in the history of jazz. Whether as composer or band leader, Ellington transcended musical and racial boundaries. When asked what inspired him to write, Ellington replied, "My men and my race are the inspiration of my work. I try to catch the character and mood and feeling of my people."

In his fifty-year career, Ellington played over 20,000 performances worldwide.

Duke Ellington received 13 Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement. He also was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the French Legion of Honor and the Pulitzer Prize. His image appeared on a US stamp in 1986. Ellington is the first African-American to solo on a U.S. coin. The Duke Ellington quarter was released in January of this year.

Ellington died on May 24, 1974, a month after his 75th birthday. He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in NYC. His funeral at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine was attended by over 12,000 people.

Ella Fitzgerald nailed it for the world: "A genius has passed."

SPONSORS:
Borders Columbus Circle, The Islands Of The Bahamas, MODA Entertainment, Inc., Legacy Recordings, ICON Collectibles