Taking Subway Directions, Literally, From a Song of the City

clipped from www.nytimes.com Taking Subway Directions, Literally, From a Song of the City In honor of the 110th anniversary of Duke Ellington’s birth, the orchestra that bears his name, directed by his grandson, played “Take the A Train” on Wednesday. More Photos > By JAMES BARRON “Somebody said they want us to do ‘A Train’ again,” Paul Mercer Ellington, the musical director of the Duke Ellington Orchestra, reported just before 11 a.m. on Wednesday. And why not? A full 27 minutes had passed since the orchestra’s last performance of his grandfather’s signature song, a song some Ellington fans cannot hear too often. Wednesday was, after all, the 110th anniversary of Duke Ellington’s birth, and the orchestra was ready to celebrate.

READ FULL ARTICLE @ http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/30/nyregion/30ellington.html

“Chico” Hamilton at Borders

Date: Thursday, April 30th
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Borders Bookstore (Time Warner Building, 10
Columbus Circle)
Cost: Free

87-year old band leader/percussionist Foreststorn “Chico” Hamilton premieres multi-genre works off of his latest album Twelve Tones of Love (released 04.14.2009). Chico is considered one of the most important living jazz artists and composers. Known for representing jazz in its purest form, Hamiltonia is “jazz at its finest.” Today he gives a free, in-store performance and album signing.