Ellington’s Greatest Masterpiece: Black, Brown and Beige The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
About This Event
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, led by Wynton Marsalis, presents Duke Ellington’s large-form suite Black, Brown and Beige at Jazz at Lincoln Center, framing the work as both historical document and living repertoire. Guest vocalist Catherine Russell joins the orchestra; the program emphasizes Ellington’s orchestration, structure, and tonal detail rather than spectacle.
About Black, Brown and Beige
First heard in New York at Carnegie Hall in 1943, Duke Ellington’s *Black, Brown and Beige* is a long-form jazz suite that traces African American history in sound. Written for the concert stage, it argues that big-band music can carry narrative, scale, and moral weight usually reserved for European concert traditions. At Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra under Wynton Marsalis performs the suite with guest vocalist Catherine Russell, whose repertory work adds period texture. One hears Ellington treating jazz not as diversion, but as testimony.
About the Artists
Wynton MarsalisCatherine Russell and FriendsSteve Miller
Wynton Marsalis, Catherine Russell, and Steve Miller meet in a Jazz at Lincoln Center setting where repertory and improvisation share the frame. Marsalis leads the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra in programs such as Duke Ellington’s *Black, Brown and Beige*, placing big-band discipline at the center of the performance.
Ellington’s Greatest Masterpiece: Black, Brown and Beige The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Ellington’s Greatest Masterpiece: *Black, Brown and Beige* is presented at Jazz at Lincoln Center by the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, directed by Wynton Marsalis. The program centers on Duke Ellington’s large-form suite, framed by the orchestra’s ongoing work preserving and extending big-band practice in a contemporary concert setting.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, a vibrant ensemble under the artistic leadership of Wynton Marsalis, stands as a cornerstone of New York City's jazz scene. Known for their dynamic performances at iconic venues like Jazz at Lincoln Center and 92NY, this group brings the rich tradition of big band jazz to life with a modern twist.
Wynton Marsalis
Wynton Marsalis stands as a towering figure in the world of jazz, captivating audiences with his exceptional artistry and dynamic performances. As a key performer at New York City's iconic Jazz at Lincoln Center, Marsalis infuses his music with both tradition and innovation, creating a vibrant tapestry of sound that resonates with audiences of all ages.
Catherine Russell
Step into the vibrant world of jazz with Catherine Russell, a powerhouse vocalist whose performances are as dynamic as they are soulful. Known for her rich interpretations and compelling stage presence, Russell captivates audiences at iconic venues like Jazz at Lincoln Center, where she shares the stage with jazz luminaries such as Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
Steve Miller
Steve Miller is an American musician best known as the longtime leader, songwriter, and guitarist behind the Steve Miller Band, a project he formed in the mid-1960s and has continued to steer across decades.