The UCSB Jazz Ensemble presents its first of the year Fall concert celebrating “The Identity of Ellington”. Edward “Duke” Ellington is widely considered as the preeminent and possibly the most prolific American composer of any genre, and his influence, and that of his band and collaborators, continues to guide the teaching, composing, and performing of “America’s classical music”, Jazz, to this day. The UCSB Jazz Ensemble celebrates Duke’s legacy through performances of classic Ellington compositions such as Koko, Rocking’ in Rhythm, and Cottontail, as well as more contemporary arrangements of famous compositions such In a Mellowtone, Caravan, and Sophisticated Lady.

Anchoring the concert will be the UCSB Jazz Ensembles “A Band” performing the sprawling three part/nine movement work “Black, Brown, and Beige”, which in Ellington’s own words is “a parallel to the history of the American Negro, and tells a long story.” Our “B Band” also performs from the Ellington canon, as they accompany featured winners of our first ever Jazz Solo Vocal Competition. Also featured will be DMA Viola Candidate Besnik Yseiri in a solo violin performance as part of “Black, Movement 2, Come Sunday”. Other featured soloists are new piano prodigy Megan Etzel, a product of the Orange County High School for the Arts and recent participant in Jazz at Lincoln Center’s annual “Essentially Ellington” competition, and Erik Beahrs, playing tenor saxophone and clarinet. The UCSB Jazz Ensemble directed by Dr. Jonathan Nathan, currently consists of more than 60 students in eight different ensembles including 2 big bands and 8 chamber music oriented “combos”.

We are also proud to be collaborating with UCSB’s Chamber Choir, directed by Brent Wilson, on a November 20th concert “Winter Morning Walks”, a nine movement song cycle by grammy winning composer Maria Schneider for choir, vocal soloists, and jazz combo.

General ($10); Senior/Military/Non-UCSB students with ID ($7); UCSB students with ID and children under 12 (FREE)

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