Duke Ellington's Celebration
of
Black History and Culture
SEASON SUNDAY CONCERT SERIES | 2pm
at
Meizon Church
3411 NW 83 St
Gainesville, FL 32606
(352)519-0839
Sunday, February 9, 2025 | 2p
Duke Ellington’s
Black, Brown and Beige Suite
The Gainesville Big Band will bring Duke Ellington's groundbreaking suite, Black, Brown, and Beige, to life on Sunday, February 9, 2025 at Meizon Church in Gainesville, Florida. First debuted in 1943 at Carnegie Hall, this extended work stands as Ellington's ambitious musical depiction of African American history and culture. Through three movements—Black, Brown, and Beige—the suite weaves a rich tapestry of spirituals, blues, and jazz, blending Ellington's sophisticated compositions with vibrant storytelling. With themes ranging from the hardships of slavery to the resilience and achievements of African Americans, the suite showcases Ellington's genius in crafting music that is both entertaining and deeply poignant.
The Gainesville Big Band’s performance promises to honor Ellington's legacy, bringing the suite's complex arrangements and emotional depth to the forefront. Their interpretation will highlight the timeless relevance of Ellington's message of dignity and hope, set against the backdrop of the band’s polished sound and dynamic energy. This rare opportunity to experience one of jazz's most historically significant works performed live will be a celebration of artistry and history, making it a must-see event for jazz lovers and history enthusiasts alike.
Upcoming Season Concerts:
Sunday, April 13, 2025 | 2p
Jazz 101- What makes jazz swing?
Sunday, June 8, 2025 | 2p
Women in Jazz
ABOUT
The Gainesville Big Band assembles some of the best professional jazz musicians spanning the southeast. Under the direction of Marco Thomas, the GBB delivers a rich, full sound-- from Basie to Ellington, Gershwin to Miller, Porter to Mercer, Vegas to Broadway hits, and today's modern jazz and pop. Since 2007, the band has brought big band jazz to Gainesville and the surrounding areas. Featuring 18 accomplished musicians, the Gainesville Big Band have a deep passion for jazz and a commitment to presenting quality performances, inspiring the next generation of jazz musicians, and promoting a culture of diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in the arts.
DIRECTOR
Marco Thomas is from Ellenwood, GA which a suburb of Atlanta. He is a bass trombone player that studied music education at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, FL. His principal teacher there was Brian Brink. Thomas earned his Bachelors of Music Education in 1999 and began teaching middle school band in Hardee County in January of 2000. He then entered the University of Florida in the summer of 2002 where he earned his Masters of Music Performance in trombone. His principal teacher there was Arthur Jennings. After graduation, he took a position at Hawthorne Middle/High School as Director of Bands. He was at Hawthorne from 2004-2007. He began his current position as the music teacher at Williams Elementary in Gainesville during the 2007-2008 school year.
MISSION
The mission of the Gainesville Big Band, Inc. is to promote an awareness of the educational, spiritual, and civic benefits of jazz through traditional and modern repertoire.
GAINESVILLE BIG BAND CONNECTIONS
Visit Gainesville / Alachua County, Hoggtowne Music,
VyStar Credit Union and The Collier Companies.
Sponsored in part by
Visit Gainesville Alachua County
Visit Gainesville Alachua County
#JazzBluesFlorida #GainesvilleFL #GainesvilleLive #LiveMusicFlorida #FloridaMusicScene #JazzInGainesville #LiveJazzFlorida #GainesvilleEvents #GainesvilleBigBand #MarcoThomas #LiveMusic #CommunityConcert #SundayFunday #BigBandJazz #AirConditionedConcert #MusicLovers
Distribution by
(561)313-7432
#JazzBluesFlorida #Jazz #Blues #Clubs #Concerts #Festivals
Making the scene since 2006!
If you wish to be included in our personalized
subscriber list please use this FORM.
Join us on INSTAGRAM!
See what we see on YOUTUBE!
(Maxed out at 5K on the personal page since 2016)
We link to business on LINKEDIN.
And, yes, PINTEREST, too!
~ ~ ~ ~
No comments :
Post a Comment