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Duke Ellington's contributions redefined artistry and influenced the fabric of American culture. He embraced the inspiration provided by others, created new environments for musicians to exert their individualism and, for decades, maintained a refined ensemble with a sound that epitomized unity amidst freedom.
Although all of Ellington's music comes from a spiritual place, it wasn't until 1965 when he was commissioned to create a concert of sacred music that he decided to specifically address this aspect of his life. He gathered some of his previous more spiritual works, and added some new pieces, to create his first sacred concert. Three years later he composed a second sacred concert, and in 1973, during his fatal bout with cancer, he composed a third.
When asked about how close to the written page he wanted his music to be realized, Ellington said that the purpose of his music is to inspire the musicians to be great. It did not matter if they played even one of his notes as long as they were great. Each of his pieces was a work in progress. Each and every performance is an opportunity to further perfect. Spontaneity within the realm of good taste will provide the audience with the most satisfying experience, because what really draws audiences to jazz, beyond the infectious beat, is the opportunity for people to observe the artists baring their souls during the creative process.
This concert will feature a diverse collection of instrumentalists and vocalists from the jazz, blues, gospel and classical communities under the direction of David Berger, the leading authority on music of Duke Ellington. The result will be a powerful Detroit rendition of these uplifting, joyful and historic Duke Ellington sacred works.
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