COURTESY OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
In 1959, the NAACP awarded Duke Ellington the Spingarn Medal for his contribution to the African-American cultural heritage. This photo was taken by Gordon Parks, famed African-American photographer.
For much of his life, Edward Kennedy Ellington was known as "Duke," an honorary distinction which acknowledged the legendary musician's sense of style and sophistication. This Sunday, the First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu honors Ellington with "Ebony Daze," a special tribute concert in recognition of Black History Month in February. Duke Ellington revisited
Shawn "Speedy" Lopes
slopes@starbulletin.com
While jazz is not often heard in places of worship, church member David Free notes that a fair portion of Ellington's prodigious repertoire falls outside the realm of jazz. "A lot of people don't know he was a very religious man," he explains. "He wrote a series of religious concerts called the Sacred Concerts, between 1965 and '74, his last years."
Where: First Presbyterian Church of Honolulu, 1822 Keeaumoku St. 'Ebony Daze'
When: 3 p.m. Sunday
Admission: Free
Call: 532-1111
The Hawaii Ecumenical Chorale will join the Royal Hawaiian Band in performing several pieces from Ellington's Sacred Concerts series, along with some of the venerable composer's more popular fare -- "Sophisticated Lady," "Mood Indigo" and "Solitude" among them.
Pianist Betty Loo Taylor and vocalist Star Williams, who perform together regularly at the Kahala Mandarin Oriental Hotel, will also contribute several Ellington numbers.
"I like the way he mixes classical with jazz," gushes Williams, a lifelong Duke devotee. "He's even written operas. I'm kind of drawn to that, and he was my father's favorite composer, so I heard a lot of it around the house."
Williams' father, Howard "Joe" Williams (not to be confused with the other jazz crooner of the same name), performed with Ellington on several occasions.
"Ebony Daze" will also feature short readings on Ellington's life and career, as well as the accomplishments of other African Americans over the past 100 years.
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