Duke Ellington Extravaganza - Big Band and 14 Grand Pianos in Central Park

June 28, 2009

The series of events marking the 110th Anniversary of Duke Ellington continues: On Wednesday, July 1 at 6:30 p.m., The Duke Ellington Center for the Arts will host a spectacular and unprecedented event in Central Park featuring their Duke Ellington Big Band and 14 grand pianos on the Great Mall. Mercedes Ellington, granddaughter of the Duke and the show's producer, will pay personal tribute to Bobby Short, the famous pianist-who, 14 years ago on the same date, unveiled the Duke Ellington Statue at Fifth Avenue and 110th Street. The lead sponsor for the event is the island nation of Grenada-Bobby Short's favorite overseas destination.