The Music Of Duke Ellington - 898 Words

I attended the Jazz Ensembles Concert, The Music of Duke Ellington, on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at the Griffin Concert Hall, University Center for the Arts. I was not really sure what to expect since I had never experienced Jazz in a concert hall setting, however, I believe I am still able to make an informed and unbiased review. Not only was this my first Jazz concert, but it was also my first time visiting the University Center for the Arts. I was greeted immediately and with a very welcoming attitude by staff that was willing to guide me in the right direction when locating the entrance to the Griffin Concert Hall. I felt for such a professional environment I should have been paying a lot of money to be enjoying a show at this facility. Proceeding into the concert hall I observed a nearly every seat full with people of all ages. I sat rather close to the stage so I could get a good look and really observe facial expressions and demeanor of the personnel. After peaking though my program to better understand what to expect throughout the concert, I realized there were going to be two performances with 2 different ensembles as well as directors. Promptly at 7:30 pm, the band of Jazz Ensemble II came out, gathered their places on stage, and began to play â€Å"Things Ain’t What They Used to Be† by Mercer Ellington. I immediately recognized the stereotypical jazz setup such as the primary melodic instruments: saxophones, trumpets, trombones, as well as the piano, bass andShow MoreRelatedDuke Ellington: the Music, Politics, and His Story4342 Words   |  18 PagesDuke Ellington: The Music, Politics, and his Story Duke Ellington was a musical and political genius; he was â€Å"America’s only original musical mind.† He was not only a performer, but a composer. He learned the craft of composing by observing others instead of disciplined study. One important factor of Ellington’s music was its relation to black heritage and African American history. 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