The Sacred Music of Duke Ellington Sunday, February 19, 2012 | 4:00 p.m. | Orchestra Hall    Inspired by the backdrop of the civil rights movement, Duke Ellington created his first sacred concert in 1965. While many of Ellington’s pieces have dealt with this spirituality, this aspect of his life was not specifically addressed until he was commissioned to create such a concert, only a year after the Civil Rights Act was signed and weeks before affirmative action had been passed. The Detroit Jazz Festival brings these historic memories and significant works back to Detroit with the first concert of the new Community Series on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 4:00 p.m. in Orchestra Hall, Detroit.    This concert will feature a diverse collection of instrumentalists and vocalists from the jazz, blues, gospel and classical communities. The result is sure to be a powerful Detroit rendition of these historic Duke Ellington works.    The performance will feature world-renowned conductor David Berger, Ed Love from WDET FM as narrator, a Detroit-based big band, distinguished tap dancer Jared Grimes, a variety of Detroit jazz artists and a more than one hundred-voice choir led by Dr. Norah Duncan IV. In addition, Berger will host a pre-concert presentation for select ticket holders on the Ellington pieces to be performed at the event. This event marks the inaugural program under new artistic director and native Detroiter, Chris Collins.       Featured Detroit artists performing at the event include vocal soloists Alice Tillman, Theodore Jones, Thornetta Davis and Ursula Walker; as well as Alvin Waddles on piano, Marion Hayden on bass and Johnny Trudell, Dwight Adams and Walter White on trumpets. Berger also will lead a Detroit all-star big band. The voice choir brings together singers from throughout the city with the Wayne State University Symphonic Choir and the Detroit Choral Society.    Tickets to the Sacred Music of Duke Ellington range in price from $10 to $35. A limited number of box seats are available for $99 and include the pre-concert presentation and a VIP reception with David Berger. Click HERE to purchase tickets online. Tickets may also be purchased at the Max M. Fisher Music Center box office (3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit) or by calling (313) 576-5111.    Keep It Free!    In its 33 years, Detroit Jazz Festival has reached millions of fans and grown to become the largest free jazz festival in the world. In 2012, it was voted one of the top two jazz festivals in North America in the Jazz Times Readers’ Poll. Thanks to generous support from foundations, corporations and individuals like you, not only does the Detroit Jazz Festival bring outstanding jazz programming to Detroit each Labor Day weekend, it is also able to maintain a year-round presence through its community and educational outreach programming. In order to keep this world-class festival free of charge, contributions from donors and members are critical.     Click HERE to learn how YOU can keep the festival FREE.       About the Detroit Jazz Festival The mission of the Detroit Jazz Festival is to foster the history and nurture the development of jazz; perpetuate Detroit’s significant jazz legacy through educational and collaborative opportunities accessible to all; sustain a world-class signature event that makes Detroit a tourist destination. The 33rd Annual Detroit Jazz Festival will take place on Labor Day Weekend August 31 – September 3, 2012. For more information visit www.detroitjazzfest.com.    Stay Connected