The New England Symphonic Ensemble

When Duke Ellington premiered his legendary classically-tinged jazz opus Black, Brown & Beige at Carnegie Hall in 1943, it was a historic occasion where jazz and classical music were beautifully blended into a new aesthetic work of art. Today, The New England Symphonic Ensemble follows Ellington’s elegant example when it brings four conductors presenting newly-arranged works by Hale Smith, John Coltrane, Vivaldi, Glenn Burleigh and Bach to Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium Perelman Stage on Saturday, June 1, at 1:00 pm.

The performance is sponsored by North Carolina Central University's Department of Music; College of Arts, Social Sciences and the Humanities; Faculty Research Award Program (FRAP) of NCCU’s School of Graduate Studies; and Durham Arts Council Season Grant. This project was supported by the Durham Arts Council’s Annual Arts Fund and the NC Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. The concert is presented by MidAmerica Productions.

The concert features:
• Lenora Helm Hammonds conducting her arrangement of Smith’s four-part atonal piece, The Valley Wind featuring soprano Courtney Rochelle Bailey and A Conversation with God (instrumentally known as John Coltrane’s “Dear Lord”), which includes Hammonds’ lyrics, baritone/conductor/arranger Maurice Myers and soprano Adia Ledbetter. Also performing are the NCCU Jazz Ensemble and NCCU Vocal Jazz Ensemble, saxophonist Antonio Hart, trumpeter Al Strong, pianist Jim Crew and others,

• Lorissa Mason conducting Vivaldi Magnificat

• Jillian Harrison-Jones conducting Glenn Burleigh: Nguzo Saba Suite

• Anne Lyman conducting Bach Magnificat, BWV 242

The entire rehearsal and preparation process, plus dress rehearsals, are being audio and video recorded for a small upcoming documentary, produced by Eric Barstow.

For more information and tickets, go to the CarnegieHall.org or CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800.