Duke Ellington and American Popular Culture

FAIN: BH-50600-13

Fairfield University (Fairfield, CT 06824-5195)
Laura R. Nash (Project Director: March 2013 to May 2015)

Two one-week Landmarks workshops for eighty school teachers on Duke Ellington and his world.

Two one-week Landmarks workshops for eighty school teachers on Duke Ellington and his world. This workshop illuminates the life and music of Duke Ellington (1899-1974) in cultural and historical context, using eight compositions (including "Mood Indigo" and "Take the 'A' Train") as "anchor works" for the week's study. Under the direction of music professor Laura Nash, participants engage with Ellington's work and his world through lectures, discussions, hands-on musical participation, and two all-day visits to historic and cultural sites in New York City. Taking the A train to Harlem, participants visit the Sugar Hill Historic District, where Ellington lived, and are guided on a private tour of the National Jazz Museum by Executive Director Loren Schoenberg. The second day trip to New York features the resources of Jazz at Lincoln Center with curator Phil Schaap. Participants explore the role of Ellington's radio and television broadcasts at the Paley Media Center with Jim Shanahan (Boston University) and learn about Ellington's long form music at Carnegie Hall, where "Black, Brown, and Beige" premiered in 1943. A jazz show at Birdland Jazz Club and a performance of swing dance music conclude the day visits to New York. In Fairfield, historian and director of Black Studies Yohuru Williams provides relevant grounding in twentieth-century African-American history and addresses intersections of race and popular culture. During the days on campus, music professor and bassist Brian Torff leads a specially assembled live big band in presentations and performances to give participants direct experience with the anchor works and with improvisation, as well as opportunities for discussion with band members. Workshop guest faculty include jazz critic and journalist Gary Giddins; educator and composer David Berger (Juilliard), who transcribed and edited the majority of Ellington's works; and Monsignor John Sanders, trombonist and librarian for the Ellington Orchestra, who shares his first-hand knowledge of playing, working, and traveling with Ellington, and of developing the Ellington archives. Prior to and during the workshop, participants read Ellington's Music is My Mistress; Harvey Cohen's Duke Ellington's America; John Edward Hasse's Beyond Category: The Life and Genius of Duke Ellington; and Mark Tucker's The Duke Ellington Reader. They also have access to a password-protected website with Ellington recordings, sheet music, and video clips.

Media Coverage

part 1 - In Search of the Melody, New Duke - Duke Ellington (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Paul K. DiCostanzo
Publication: The Good News Review
Date: 11/22/2015
Abstract: Today’s Edition of Sunday Brunch kicks off the first part of a four part interview with professional Jazz Bassist, Professor of Music and Jazz at Fairfield University, author of the book “In Love With Voices: A Jazz Memoir,” creator of such albums as “Life In East Bumblepuck” and “Workin’ On A Baseline,” and longtime ambassador of Jazz, Brian Torff. Mr. Torff met with TGNR‘s Paul K. DiCostanzo to discuss as Director, his ongoing musical ensemble, “New Duke.” A project that is bringing the work of Duke Ellington to the 21st century, and doing so by using Ellington’s championed approach of constant experimentation with compositions of his music. Mr. Torff will discuss the legend Duke Ellington himself, as well as the soul of Jazz in the 21st century.
URL: https://tgnreview.com/2015/11/22/in-search-of-the-melody-new-duke-duke-ellington-a-brian-q-torff-interview-part-i/

part 2 - In Search of the Melody (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Paul K. DiCostanzo
Publication: The Good News Review
Date: 11/30/2015
Abstract: Today TGNR presents the second part of our four-part interview with Jazz bassist, Professor of Music and Jazz at Fairfield University, and ambassador of Jazz Brian Q. Torff. Mr. Torff is the Director of the ensemble “New Duke,” a collection of dedicated musicians that are bringing the work of Duke Ellington to the 21st century, using Ellington’s method of creating new-sound with revolutionary experimentation of his countless compositions
URL: https://tgnreview.com/2015/11/30/in-search-of-the-melody-a-brian-q-torff-interview-part-ii/

part 4 - In Search of the Melody (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Paul K. DiCostanzo
Publication: The Good News Review
Date: 1/12/2016
Abstract: Following part one, two, and three, this is the final installment of TGNR’s interview with acclaimed Jazz bassist, authority in American music, and ambassador of Jazz, Brian Q. Torff. In part four Mr. Torff speaks about his work with Fairfield University, the need for greater inclusion and education in American music in K-12 education, as well as the unique power of Jazz. Mr. Torff provides incredible insight to American music today, the deep need to provide greater recognition of American culture, and a re-evaluation of the amazing accomplishments of the American cultural voice. Additonally, Darryl Tookes shares his fondest memory of the late Don Mulvaney, master Jazz drummer, and member of New Duke.
URL: https://tgnreview.com/2016/01/12/in-search-of-the-melody-a-brian-q-torff-interview-part-iv/

part 3 - In Search of the Melody (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Paul K. DiCostanzo
Publication: The Good News Review
Date: 12/13/2015
Abstract: As a preeminent ambassador of Jazz, Mr. Torff has been the Director of such endeavors as the Django Reinhardt New York Festival, and served as the Co-Chairperson on the Music Advisory Board for the National Endowment for the Humanities. Currently, Mr. Torff is the Director and composer of the masterful ensemble “New Duke.” New Duke is taking Duke Ellington’s immense legacy to the 21st century, and doing so by invoking Ellington’s passion for constant and never ending pursuit of new sound.
URL: https://tgnreview.com/2015/12/13/in-search-of-the-melody-a-brian-q-torff-interview-part-iii/

Associated Products

The Importance of Personal Identity (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: The Importance of Personal Identity
Author: Valerie Cypert, Keely Jackson, Chantea Wright
Abstract: Three middle school teachers from three different parts of the country - California, Texas, and Virginia - will teach a unit on The Importance of Personal Identity. This is an interdisciplinary unit that includes standards from Language Arts, Social Studies, and Music.
Year: 2014
Audience: K - 12

Music with "no words" (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Music with "no words"
Author: Roxanne Rose
Abstract: Ms. Rose teaches first grade at Citizens of the World charter school in Los Angeles. Her school's focus is "mindfulness" and thus her unit allows students to connect Ellington's music to feelings, movement, art, visualizing, and personal expression. Given the rich cultural diversity of her students, Ms. Rose will teach how jazz is American music because it includes influences from so many other cultures and unifies people across the globe. Her students will explore the question "why do we listen to music." They will dance, identify instruments, and watch videos.
Year: 2014
Primary URL: http://citizensoftheworld.org/
Audience: K - 12

Jazz as a Conceptual Framework for American Studies (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Jazz as a Conceptual Framework for American Studies
Author: Matthew Pavia
Abstract: Matt teaches at Darien HS in Darien, CT. American Studies is an 11th grade interdisciplinary course co-taught with a literature and history teacher and integrates history, literature, art, architecture, music, and media in order to provide students with a broader, more rich understanding of American culture in all of its complexity. Students spend two back-to-back periods in this course on a daily basis. It is almost exclusively taught using primary sources. The General Objective of this framework is for students to use jazz - its musical features, evolution, politics - as a central metaphor for the American story, and to continue to draw upon this analogy throughout the year as they deepen their understanding of key American themes and patterns of conflict: race, the tension between the status quo and change, the fear ofg the "other", synthesis and syncretism, and innovation.
Year: 2014
Primary URL: http://www.darienps.org
Audience: K - 12

Historically Annotated Performance of Ellington's Music (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Historically Annotated Performance of Ellington's Music
Author: Jill Whiteman
Abstract: Ms. Whiteman teaches band and chorus at the Baker Public Schools in Baker, Montana (112 students in grades 9-12). As part of the community-wide concert, this event also included student-made visual art work, powerpoint presentations, and introductions to the music researched and written by the students. Montana's Office of Public Instruction has an Indian Education for All which requires integrating Indian education into rigorous standards-based instruction. For this unit, students will compare and contrast Native American flute music with examples from Ellington's music. this Unit was so successful that the principal is going to have a district wide focus around music or a musician every year!
Year: 2014
Primary URL: http://www.baker.k12.mt.us/index.html
Audience: K - 12

Rhapsody in Black: Visualizing the Harlem Renaissaince in the 1920s and 1930s (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Rhapsody in Black: Visualizing the Harlem Renaissaince in the 1920s and 1930s
Author: Tiffany "Mama Talibah" Mance
Abstract: Ms. Mance teaches 4th grade at the Betty Shabazz International Charter School in Chicago, IL. In this unit the students will analyze and create art, poems, and songs that reflect the arts of the Harlem Renaissance. Beginning with a brief history of the blues, the students will learn to listen to music, analyze primary sources, and create a final project that will be features in the end-of-unit performance. Will include Romare Bearden and the Great Migration.
Year: 2014
Primary URL: http://www.bsics.org/
Audience: K - 12

Writing Across the Curriculum through Duke Ellington and jazz (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Writing Across the Curriculum through Duke Ellington and jazz
Author: Cindy Christian
Abstract: Ms. Christian teaches writing at Northwest Rankin High School in Flowood, MS, a suburb of Jackson. Students will be asked to develop six expository essays throughout the semester, focusing on jazz and Duke Ellington. The theme of jazz as a metaphor for writing/life and the significance of music in our culture will be emphasized throughout the semester and culminate in a Jazz, Poetry, and Art Night for students and members of the community, which will be a fundraiser for the school. The Jazz Band will perform, student artwork based on or inspired by jazz will be featured, and poems will be read aloud.
Year: 2014
Primary URL: http://www.rcsd.ms/Domain/23
Audience: K - 12

Music as Metaphor (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Music as Metaphor
Author: Katherine Byers
Abstract: Ms. Byers teachers 8th grade English at Midlothian Middle School in Midlothian, VA. Through four mini lessons spread through out the year, students will use musical vocabulary to talk about writing, use the metaphor of music for writing and analyzing other works, and will build their understanding of metaphor and their vocabulary.
Year: 2014
Primary URL: http://www.midlothianms.mychesterfieldschools.com/pages/Midlothian_Middle
Audience: K - 12

Walking with Duke - Bringing Harlem to Utah (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Walking with Duke - Bringing Harlem to Utah
Author: Ms. Cassie Cox
Abstract: Ms. Cox teaches at Two Rivers High School in Ogden, UT which is an alternative high school for students with attendance, academic, or disciplinary issues. During January/February of 2015, students at Two Rivers will collaborate with students/faculty at Weber State University, engaging in a multi-school, whole-community study of the legacy of Duke Ellington. Using jazz and the life of Ellington, we will embark on a journey to uncover and understand Ellington's lasing legacy while considering our own. (What will our life say to others? How weill we be remembered? How do others see us now? How would we like the world to see us?) In our journey through the life of Ellington (and the Harlem Renaissance), students will read literature and poetry, listen to music, respond in writing to both literature and music, create artwork, learn dances, "taste" Harlem, explore Harlem and Duke through images and documentaries, examine the economic, social and political contexts (ESP), while considering our own. Loren Schonberg from the National Jazz Museum in Harlem will visit our school to celebrate and extend our study of Ellington.
Year: 2014
Primary URL: http://www.trhs.weber.k12.ut.us/
Audience: K - 12

Jazz dance through music and history - a choreography project (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Jazz dance through music and history - a choreography project
Author: Mamawa Fofana
Abstract: Ms. Fofana teaches dance at the Brownsville Academy High School in Brooklyn, NY. Students will be able to identify and familiarize themselves with Jazz dance, its origin, and learn jazz choreography, including improvisation. Choreography and movement will be grounded in historical evidence. Students will connect to ELA through "building knowledge through content-rich non-fiction and informational text" and to Math by "requiring fluency, application, and deep understanding." In addition, personal competencies 1-8 will be applied: self management, planning and responsibility, problem solving, integrity, reflection and evaluation, cooperation, conflict resolution, and cultural competence.
Year: 2014
Primary URL: http://schools.nyc.gov/schoolportals/17/k568/default.htm
Audience: K - 12

Ellington in Europe (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Ellington in Europe
Author: James Miller
Abstract: Mr. Miller teaches at the Department of Defense elementary school in Aviano, Italy, grades 4 and 5. Students will participate in various forms of musical expression, demonstrate an understanding of musical concepts, display an awareness of the interrelationship between music and society, and display an understanding and appreciation of music as an art form. My unit will follow our week of learning at the NEH workshop, including using "Sir Duke" by Stevie Wonder to introduce Ellington, I will teach scat singing and improv as we were taught by Loren Schonberg at the National Jazz Museum, do ring shouts as Brian Torff taught us, do the LIndy Hop because not only do you feel the music, it provides wonderful social skills for out students. At Midsummer Nights Swing, 100% of the people were smiling, laughing, and enjoying each other's company. Yohuru Williams historical analysis using ESP (economic, social and political contexts) will be applied, as well. In addition, I work with the Dept of Defense Dependents Schools European Jazz Seminar and we teach and perform Ellington pieces once every four years. I can now take a leadership role in this and help the teachers convey to their students the importance of Ellington. Third, I perform in a big band with Italian musicians and can teach them about Ellington and Ellington's music, as well.
Year: 2014
Primary URL: http://www.dodea.edu/Europe/Mediterranean/Aviano/AvianoES/index.cfm/
Audience: K - 12

Why Duke? (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Why Duke?
Author: Scott Pragoff
Abstract: Mr. Pragoff teachers 8th grade social studies at Highland School in Warrenton, VA. The essential question is in what ways did Duke Ellington use music to promote a sense of political, social and economic awareness for the Black community during his lifetime? Students will analyze primary sources, political cartoons, and music. They will synthesize the narrative of Ellington's life, this will create a webpage that highlights Ellington's impact socially, politically, and economically.
Year: 2014
Primary URL: http://www.highlandschool.org/
Audience: K - 12

The Civil Rights Movement as seen through the Lens of Duke ELlington's Music (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: The Civil Rights Movement as seen through the Lens of Duke ELlington's Music
Author: Mr. Randy Cummings
Abstract: Mr. Cummings teaches the K-5 gifted program in the Boulder Unified District, Colorado. In this unit students will learn about the contributions of African-American visual artists and musicians in the decades preceding the 1960s. They will understand the importance of Ellington and how his music was a significant catalyst for change in creating a new paradigm of race relations. They will read visual images of African-American artists as a text t the African-American experience in America.
Year: 2014
Primary URL: http://bvsd.org/tag/Pages/default.aspx
Audience: K - 12

The Ellington-Gatsby Mixtape Project (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: The Ellington-Gatsby Mixtape Project
Author: David Wooley
Abstract: Mr. Wooley teaches high school English at Westhill HS in Stamford, CT and is an active hip-hop artist. For this project, students will create a playlist of at list 10 songs from Ellington's catalog in order to create a musical counterpoint for specific scenes from Gatsby. The music should complement the literary elements on which you decide to focus. Your portfolio will have a quote from the book in relation to each song and you will create cover art for your project that reflects both Gatsby and Ellington.
Year: 2014
Primary URL: http://www.westhillweb.com/
Audience: K - 12

Duke Ellington and Langston Hughes: The Rhythms and Beats of a Universal Story (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Duke Ellington and Langston Hughes: The Rhythms and Beats of a Universal Story
Author: Gina M. Jackson
Abstract: Ms. Jackson teaches grade 10 English in the San Diego Unified School District. through the works of Ellington and Hughes, students will be able to implement the concept of Universal Theme in the mediums of music and poetry. Students will research and discuss the works of Ellington and Hughes as compared to their biographies. They will analyze the historical and social contexts in which these artists worked, and they will be able to compare and contrast a piece of artistic work from each artist and apply an appropriate Universal Theme.
Year: 2014
Primary URL: http://www.sandi.net/site/default.aspx?PageID=1
Audience: K - 12

Black History Month Celebration (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: Black History Month Celebration
Author: Mr. Keith Howell
Abstract: This is a public performance for the community by the students of Woodrow Wilson HS in Camden, NJ. It was called "Take the A-train to Harlem" and was dedicated to Duke Ellington. It featured spoken work, singing, dancing, rappers, and the jazz ensemble of the HS. The students worked hard to learn their material and to be able to explain its context and importance to the audience. It was a grand success!
Year: 2014
Primary URL: http://www.wwhsnj.org/
Audience: K - 12

The American Experience (Course or Curricular Material)
Title: The American Experience
Author: Tyler Flory
Abstract: Mr Flory teaches at Main Street School of Performing Arts (MSSPA), a tuition-free, public charter high school open to all students in grades 9 though 12 in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. I used the materials from the NEH Ellington workshop every week in class. My colleagues were so intrigued with what I had learned that we are not building a year-long American Experience class which will begin in 2015-16.
Year: 2014
Primary URL: http://msspahs.org/
Audience: K - 12

Rockin' in Rhythm (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Rockin' in Rhythm
Writer: Laura Nash
Director: Brian Torff
Producer: Brian Torff
Abstract: “My associate, Dr. Laura Nash received a 2011 National Endowment for the Humanities grant to present a workshop on the life and work of Duke Ellington,” said Torff, “and we wanted to put together a band that would do new things with his music.” The concept grew into a mash-up where Torff composed and arranged music that mixed Ellington with Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Cream, and Pharrell Williams. It is a mash-up concept with jazz-rock roots but with a unique twist,” said Torff.
Year: 2015
Primary URL: https://soundcloud.com/newduke/albums
Access Model: open access
Format: Digital File

American Music Series (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: American Music Series
Abstract: Looking for an intimate evening of jazz but don’t want to head all the way to New York City? Jazz fans will enjoy a fresh take on the genius of composer, arranger, bandleader and pianist Duke Ellington when New Duke offers a new take on this influential figures brilliant musical works.
Author: New Duke
Date: 12/16/2016
Location: Quick Center for the Performing Arts
Primary URL: http://quickcenter.fairfield.edu/16-17-season/live-performances/american-music-series-new-duke.html

Lecture and Master Class - New Duke (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: Lecture and Master Class - New Duke
Abstract: Music for Youth and Pequot Library presented Brian Torff and the New Duke Ensemble at their Young Persons’ Concert Series on Oct 24th The room was full of enthusiastic Jazz students from local Middle and High schools. Students also came from the Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestra Jazz Band. It was a wonderful afternoon of music with Brian leading us through the evolution of his original compositions and giving us a history of jazz and blues. The program continued with a master class featuring student ensembles and soloists who were able to get one on one and small group sectional support. The artists enthusiastically reached out to each student giving them guidance, technical support and professional coaching. The students were grateful for this unique opportunity. The master class program ended with all students learning and jamming the C Jam Blues with New Duke Ensemble. It was the perfect way to end the master class. We appreciated the opportunity to feature Brian Torff and the New Duke Ensemble at our Young Persons’ Concert Series and can’t thank the band enough for their wonderful work with our master class students.
Date Range: 10/24/2015
Location: Pequot Library, Southport, CT

Poetry Conference by the Sea (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: Poetry Conference by the Sea
Abstract: New Duke will be appearing tomorrow at Poetry by the Sea: A Global Conference, will take place from 12 p.m. Tuesday May 26 to 3 p.m. Friday May 29th at The Mercy by the Sea Center, Madison, Connecticut. The 2015 keynote speaker will be Marilyn Hacker. The farewell concert will feature contemporary jazz ensemble New Duke. Visit our faculty page to check out descriptions of workshops and seminars, and meet our world-class faculty. In addition, we have the centenary of Margaret Walker, the tenth anniversary of Mezzo Cammin, a tribute to Claudia Emerson, and panels & readings with speakers such as Robert Polito, Marilyn Nelson, Afaa Michael Weaver, Jill Bialosky, Herman Beavers, Moira Egan, Damiano Abeni, Quincy R. Lehr and many more.
Date Range: 05/26/2015
Location: Madison, CT
Primary URL: http://www.poetrybytheseaconference.com/schedule.htm

The Cambridge Companion to Duke Ellington (Book Section)
Title: The Cambridge Companion to Duke Ellington
Author: David Berger
Editor: Edward Green
Abstract: Duke Ellington is widely held to be the greatest jazz composer and one of the most significant cultural icons of the twentieth century. This comprehensive and accessible Companion is the first collection of essays to survey, in depth, Ellington's career, music, and place in popular culture. An international cast of authors includes renowned scholars, critics, composers, and jazz musicians. Organized in three parts, the Companion first sets Ellington's life and work in context, providing new information about his formative years, method of composing, interactions with other musicians, and activities abroad; its second part gives a complete artistic biography of Ellington; and the final section is a series of specific musical studies, including chapters on Ellington and song-writing, the jazz piano, descriptive music, and the blues. Featuring a chronology of the composer's life and major recordings, this book is essential reading for anyone with an interest in Ellington's enduring artistic legacy.
Year: 2015
Primary URL: http://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/music/twentieth-century-and-contemporary-music/cambridge-companion-duke-ellington?format=PB
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Book Title: The Cambridge Companion to Duke Ellington, ch 2: The process of becoming: composition and recomposition and ch 16. The land of suites: Ellington and extended form
ISBN: 978-0521707534

Post Authentic World (Radio/Audio Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Post Authentic World
Writer: Laura Nash
Director: Brian Torff
Producer: Steve Katz, Headline Studios
Abstract: New Duke will be recording our first album in late June at Headline Studios in Mamaroneck, NY. It will be produced by legendary musician and producer Steve Katz of the original Blues Project, Blood, Sweat and Tears and Lou Reed. Directed by Brian Torff featuring Darryl Tookes, Greg Burrows, Dave Childs, Jamie Finegan, John Fumasoli, Steve Moran and Rick Sadlon.
Date: 07/01/2016
Format: Other

Concert at Pequot Library (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Concert at Pequot Library
Abstract: Performance of new arrangements of Ellington's music
Author: Brian Torff
Date: 4/2/2015
Location: Pequot Library, Southport, CT
Primary URL: http://www.pequotlibrary.org/index.php/calendar-events/annual-events-series/concert-series

Concert At Stage One, Fairfield Theatre Company (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Concert At Stage One, Fairfield Theatre Company
Abstract: Concert of Ellington arrangement
Author: Brian Torff
Date: 12/3/2015
Location: Fairfield Theatre Company, Fairfield, CT
Primary URL: https://fairfieldtheatre.org/stageone

Yale University Ellington Jazz Series (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Yale University Ellington Jazz Series
Abstract: For over forty years, the Duke Ellington Fellowship has brought the giants of jazz to Yale’s concert halls and to the city’s public schools. In 1972, Yale’s president Kingman Brewster presented the first Ellington medals to thirty jazz greats, including the Duke himself. That year marked the beginning of a series of extraordinary jazz concerts by Eubie Blake, Dizzy Gillespie, Paul Robeson, Marian Anderson, Odetta, Max Roach, and Charles Mingus, to name just a few.
Author: Brian Torff
Date: 12/4/2015
Location: Yale University
Primary URL: http://music.yale.edu/concerts/series/ellington/

Music of Duke Ellington and his Era (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Music of Duke Ellington and his Era
Abstract: A Berkshire Choral International concert is a distinct coming together of an eminent conductor, a professional orchestra, recognized soloists, and serious amateur choristers from around the world. And each program is designed with one goal in mind: to capture the full glory of choral music. On Saturday, July 25th, BCI presents "Music of Duke Ellington and his Era", conducted by Philip Brunelle and accompanied by the David Berger Jazz Orchestra.
Author: David Berger
Date: 7/25/2015
Location: Berkshire School, Sheffield, MA
Primary URL: http://www.springfieldsymphony.org/concerts-events/event/07/25/2015/music-of-duke-ellington-and-his-era-berkshire-choral-international-concert

Duke Ellington's Sacred Music Project (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Duke Ellington's Sacred Music Project
Abstract: Created by Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute (WMI), in partnership with Jazz at Lincoln Center, this first-ever jazz-focused creative learning project at Carnegie Hall includes rehearsals with student singers and instrumentalists over the next few months, a daylong exploration of jazz vocal technique and improvisation, and creative workshops with composers and songwriters throughout the city inspired by the aspirational messages of Ellington’s music. The project culminates on Sunday, March 23 at 3:00 p.m with a performance of selections from Ellington’s Sacred Concerts in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. Conducted by jazz composer, arranger and recognized authority on the music of Duke Ellington and the Swing era David Berger, the performance also features special guest soloists tenor saxophonist Jimmy Heath, soprano Nicole Cabell, trumpeter and composer Sean Jones, trombonist and JLYCO Director Vincent Gardner, and tap dancer Jared Grimes.
Author: David Berger
Date: 3/23/2014
Location: Stern Auditorium New York City
Primary URL: http://www.jazz.org/press/duke-ellingtons-sacred-music-project/

Ellington's Nutcracker at the Apollo Theatre (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Ellington's Nutcracker at the Apollo Theatre
Abstract: For a twist on a seasonal classic, nothing beats Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite. Broadway World exclaims, “it was a joy to hear these favorite Christmas classics arranged by Duke Ellington with a soft, smooth feel that certainly got the audience in the spirit of Christmas.” Ellington’s rarely heard Sacred Music completes the program. This Apollo exclusive, with musical direction by David Berger, features a 16-piece orchestra, soprano Priscilla Baskerville, tap dancer Jason Samuels Smith, a mass gospel choir and students from Dance Theatre of Harlem.
Author: David Berger
Date: 12/13/2014
Location: Apollo Theatre, New York City
Primary URL: https://www.apollotheater.org/
Secondary URL: http://www.playbill.com/article/phantom-star-norm-lewis-is-part-of-ellington-at-christmas-starting-today-at-the-apollo-com-337296

Concert for Westport Arts Center (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Concert for Westport Arts Center
Abstract: Concert of arrangement of Ellington's works.
Author: Brian Torff
Date: 1/25/2016
Location: Westport, CT
Primary URL: https://westportartscenter.org/

Branford Jazz Festival (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Branford Jazz Festival
Abstract: Performance of New Duke at Branford Jazz Festival
Author: Brian Torff
Date: 7/3/2014
Location: Branford, CT
Primary URL: http://branfordjazz.com/

Essentially Ellington (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: Essentially Ellington
Author: Chris Behrens
Abstract: The Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival is an annual high school jazz festival and competition that takes place every May at Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) in New York City. The festival is aimed at encouraging young musicians to play music by Duke Ellington and other various jazz artists.[1] All festival events are housed at JALC's Frederick P. Rose Hall. The current festival director is Wynton Marsalis, renowned jazz trumpeter and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Date Range: May 2015
Location: Jazz at Lincoln Center
Primary URL: http://academy.jazz.org/ee/

Essentially Ellington (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: Essentially Ellington
Author: Chris Behrens
Abstract: The Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival is an annual high school jazz festival and competition that takes place every May at Jazz at Lincoln Center (JALC) in New York City. The festival is aimed at encouraging young musicians to play music by Duke Ellington and other various jazz artists.[1] All festival events are housed at JALC's Frederick P. Rose Hall. The current festival director is Wynton Marsalis, renowned jazz trumpeter and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Date Range: May 2016
Location: Jazz at Lincoln Center
Primary URL: http://academy.jazz.org/ee/

"Taking risks" with digital acoustics. (Article)
Title: "Taking risks" with digital acoustics.
Author: Bryan Crandall et al
Abstract: This article is a May 28, 2015, National Writing Project (NWP) interview with Newbery Award-winning author Kwame Alexander about contributions he made to yearlong professional development collaboration between K-8 teachers at Hill Central in New Haven, Connecticut, and Connecticut Writing Project at Fairfield University. The interview, A Talk With Kwame Alexander, is available in its entirety via BlogTalkRadio.
Year: 2016
Primary URL: https://journals.shareok.org/studyandscrutiny/article/view/168
Format: Journal
Periodical Title: Study and Scrutiny: Research on Young Adult Literature
Publisher: University of Oklahoma

Literacy acoustics: Yearlong professional development to support content area literacies in a K - 8 school (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Literacy acoustics: Yearlong professional development to support content area literacies in a K - 8 school
Author: Bryan Crandall
Abstract: The NWP interview with Kwame Alexander is highlighted in context of scholarship and research that led to the yearlong professional development design. Teachers at Hill Central used Alexander’s The Crossover (2014) and Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band (2011) to enhance a community of writing that challenged dominant framings of urban youth as non-writers (Fisher, 2005; Haddix, 2009; Mahiri & Sablo, 1996). Alexander’s children’s book and young adult text were emphasized during professional development to explore language and student identities (Hadaway, Young, & Ward, 2012). Support was provided through the U.S. Department of Education’s Title II program and a National Writing Project (NWP) Supporting Effective Educator Development in a High - Need School grant.
Date: 11/22/2015
Primary URL: https://secure.ncte.org/store/2015-annual-convention
Conference Name: National Conference of Teachers of English

A Talk with Kwame Alexander (Radio/Audio Broadcast or Recording)
Title: A Talk with Kwame Alexander
Writer: Laura Nash
Director: Bryan Crandall
Producer: Bryan Crandall
Abstract: Kwame Alexander , an American writer of poetry and children's fiction, talks about his book, Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band: When you think about jazz music, it's all built around improv and riffing and sort of being in that moment and taking that and running with it and doing it in a way you feel confident. I think that's another thing that this book, I hope, teaches our children: being willing to take risks because the rewards on the other side of those risks can be phenomenal."
Date: 5/28/2015
Primary URL: http://www.nwp.org/cs/public/print/resource/4398
Format: Digital File

Writing Our Lives (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: Writing Our Lives
Author: Bryan Crandall
Abstract: At the Writing Our Lives-Digital Ubuntu conference students shared original works in formats ranging from TED Talks and web mapping to written pieces published on WordPress or BlogSpot. “The projects were outstanding,” noted Crandall. “It was a day where students shared their writing beyond traditional classroom boundaries. They wrote radio plays and political speeches. They designed talks for the stage and stories about their neighborhoods. More importantly, they interacted with young people from other zip codes and questioned the stereotypes of one another’s community. Young people have a tremendous amount of power when writing together.”
Date Range: 5/22/2015
Location: Fairfield, CT
Primary URL: http://educatorinnovator.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/5_22_15_Digital_Ubuntu_Program.pdf

Jackie Robinson - PBS film (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Jackie Robinson - PBS film
Writer: Yohuru Williams
Director: Ken Burns
Producer: Ken Burns
Abstract: Jack Roosevelt Robinson rose from humble origins to cross baseball’s color line and become one of the most beloved men in America. A fierce integrationist, Robinson used his immense fame to speak out against the discrimination he saw on and off the field, angering fans, the press, and even teammates who had once celebrated him for “turning the other cheek.” After baseball, he was a widely-read newspaper columnist, divisive political activist and tireless advocate for civil rights, who later struggled to remain relevant as diabetes crippled his body and a new generation of leaders set a more militant course for the civil rights movement.
Year: 2016
Primary URL: http://www.pbs.org/kenburns/jackie-robinson/
Format: Film
Format: DVD
Format: Digital File
Format: Web

The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution
Writer: Yohuru Williams
Director: Stanley Nelson
Producer: Stanley Nelson
Abstract: In the turbulent 1960s, change was coming to America and the fault lines could no longer be ignored — cities were burning, Vietnam was exploding, and disputes raged over equality and civil rights. A new revolutionary culture was emerging and it sought to drastically transform the system. The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense would, for a short time, put itself at the vanguard of that change.
Year: 2016
Primary URL: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/films/the-black-panthers-vanguard-of-the-revolution/
Format: Film
Format: Video
Format: DVD
Format: Digital File
Format: Web

KEYNOTE: Teaching U.S. History Beyond the Textbook: Six Investigative Strategies (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: KEYNOTE: Teaching U.S. History Beyond the Textbook: Six Investigative Strategies
Author: Yohuru WIlliams
Abstract: Aligned with national standards, these strategies and sample lessons turn learners into history detectives as they solve historical mysteries, prepare arguments for famous cases, and more.
Date: 4/22/2016
Primary URL: www.nche.net/document.doc?id=310
Conference Name: National Council for History Education

Challenging American Inequality: Historical Literacy Matters (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Challenging American Inequality: Historical Literacy Matters
Author: Yohuru WIlliams
Abstract: Why have we traditionally looked to historical knowledge as a building block of democratic participation and a central component of what it means to be an American? How can history pedagogy be framed as a challenge to social and economic inequality? How do we reach young learners to appreciate the study of history as integral to their quality of life and the well-being of American democracy?
Date: 3/24/2015
Primary URL: https://networks.h-net.org/node/2606/discussions/64114/history-education-roundtable-challenging-american-inequality
Conference Name: Challenging American Inequality: Historical Literacy Matters

Teaching Segregation in America (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Teaching Segregation in America
Author: Yohuru WIlliams
Abstract: Williams described his philosophy: when it comes to teaching history, don’t focus on ‘coverage,’ or how many years of history one can squeeze into a semester—instead, think about ‘uncoverage,’ how a teacher can facilitate the discovery of histories with their students.
Date: 7/10/2014
Primary URL: https://www.nypl.org/locations/schomburg
Conference Name: Black History 360 at the Schomburg Center

Roots: A History Revealed (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Roots: A History Revealed
Writer: Yohuru Williams
Director: Anthony Giacchino
Producer: Michael Stiller et al
Abstract: A fact-filled look at the real history of slavery, as revealed in "Roots." This documentary features leading historians unpacking the history behind Africa at the time of Kunte Kinte, the Middle Passage, slavery on plantations, the role of African Americans in the Civil War, and how African-American slaves struggled to retain their identity.
Year: 2015
Primary URL: http://www.history.com/specials/roots-a-history-revealed
Format: Film
Format: Video
Format: Digital File
Format: Web

Schomburg Summer Education Institute: Encouters with Race in American Art (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: Schomburg Summer Education Institute: Encouters with Race in American Art
Author: Yohuru WIlliams
Abstract: July 18th - 22nd, 2016 | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join hundreds of K-16 educators and premier scholars from across the country for a spectacular “education vacation” at the Schomburg Center featuring lectures, interactive workshops, curriculum labs, curator talks and community walks that explore the history and cultures of African Americans and African peoples throughout the Diaspora. Educators will gain valuable content knowledge and learn inquiry-based approaches to teaching across the grades using the Schomburg’s rich primary resource collections on-site and online.
Date Range: 07/21/2016
Location: Schomburg Institute, New York City
Primary URL: https://www.nypl.org/help/about-nypl/fellowships-institutes/black-history-360

Schomburg Summer Education Institute: Hip Hop Revolution: The Culture and Politics of Rap (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: Schomburg Summer Education Institute: Hip Hop Revolution: The Culture and Politics of Rap
Author: Yohuru WIlliams
Abstract: July 18th - 22nd, 2016 | 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join hundreds of K-16 educators and premier scholars from across the country for a spectacular “education vacation” at the Schomburg Center featuring lectures, interactive workshops, curriculum labs, curator talks and community walks that explore the history and cultures of African Americans and African peoples throughout the Diaspora. Educators will gain valuable content knowledge and learn inquiry-based approaches to teaching across the grades using the Schomburg’s rich primary resource collections on-site and online. @SchomburgEd #blackhistory360
Date Range: 07/25/2016
Primary URL: https://www.nypl.org/help/about-nypl/fellowships-institutes/black-history-360

Duke Ellington and American Popular Music: High/Low, Black/White…? (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Duke Ellington and American Popular Music: High/Low, Black/White…?
Author: Laura Nash
Abstract: Jazz is a fascinating study of multiple binary systems: high/low; black/white; popular entertainment/historical artifact. Today, jazz supported with funding and celebrated as an important authentic American art form. Founded in 1965, the National Endowment for the Arts did not initially recognize jazz; in 72 years, the Pulitzer Prize for music has only been awarded to one jazz composition (1997). The "American-ness" of jazz comes through an amalgamation of folk and roots musics, but became a cultural juggernaut, cutting race, gender, and class, through the recording and film industries, the dance craze, and its core ideologies of hope and rebellion. Following the War of 1812, Americans wanted art forms that would assert our nation's cultural independence; but by the Jazz Age, "culture" was associated with upper class refinement and drawing boundaries. Duke Ellington, arguably one of the most important composers of the 20th century, defied musical categorization and transcended boundaries. He wrote the song that names the Swing era, as well as long-form pieces that tell the history of Black people in America. Through his music, Ellington provides a lens by which to examine the spectrums, gradations, multiplicity, and mixture of what we call American culture.
Date: 4/9/2015
Primary URL: http://www.h-e-r-a.org/Conferences/2015%20San%20Francisco/hera_2015_conference_program.htm
Conference Name: Humanities Education and Research: Beyond the Binary

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