Earshot Jazz Presents 15th Concert Of Ellington Sacred Music

Earshot Jazz is proud to present its popular Holiday concert of “Sacred Music by Duke Ellington," featuring the Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra with guest vocalist Dee Daniels. This year's concert, featuring a special focus on Ellington's choral work, will be presented at 7:30pm on Saturday, Dec. 20th, 2003 in the University Christian Church, 4731 15th NE, at 50th St, in Seattle's University District.

The concert features the all-star Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, which is directed by Ellington scholar Michael Brockman, professor of saxophone at the University of Washington, and Clarence Acox, drummer and award-winning band director at Seattle's Garfield high school. Many of Seattle's favorite jazz artists are featured on this special concert, including saxophonists Hadley Caliman and Bill Ramsay, trumpeter Floyd Standifer, pianist Larry Fuller, bassist Phil Sparks, vocalist James Cadell, and more. This year's event includes the renowned, 60-voice, Oregon Repertory Singers, under the direction of Gil Seeley, performing Ellington choral works. Tim Hickey returns to dance the popular “David Danced Before the Lord."

The astounding vocalist Dee Daniels joins the SRJO as a special guest soloist. Rooted in Gospel and practiced in R&B, Daniels is best known for her silky jazz vocals and dynamic, four-octave range. She has toured and recorded extensively in the U. S. and Europe with many of the biggest names in jazz, including the WDR Big Band in Germany and the Metropole Orchestra in Holland.

Duke Ellington is the most famous composer in the history of jazz. His “Sacred Music," both serious and swinging, was premiered at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco in 1965 and performed in hundreds of programs around the world until his death in 1974. Embracing the jazz heritage and all religions, the concert celebrates Ellington's famous quote: “Every man prays in his own language." This 2003 concert is the fifteenth annual presentation of Ellington's sacred music in Seattle. The concerts are a long-standing holiday tradition of Earshot Jazz, Seattle's nonprofit jazz presenting and education organization.

Tickets for the concert are $26. preferred seating section, $21 general admission, and $19 for Earshot members, students and seniors. They are available at Earshot Jazz (206) 547-6763, Bud's Jazz Records, all TicketMaster outlets and (206) 628-0888.

For more information, contact Earshot Jazz at 206-547-6763.

December 20, 2003
Duke Ellington's Sacred Music
Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra
Dee Daniels
James Caddell
Oregon Repertory Singers
7:30pm University Christian Church