5th Duke Ellington Jazz Festival in Washington, DC, Celebrates New Orleans June 5-15; Ellis Marsalis Tribute Features Rare Performance with Sons and Special Guests Harry Connick, Jr., and Dr. Billy Taylor

5th Duke Ellington Jazz Festival in Washington, DC, Celebrates New Orleans June 5-15; Ellis Marsalis Tribute Features Rare Performance with Sons and Special Guests Harry Connick, Jr., and Dr. Billy Taylor

WASHINGTON, May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- With over 100 performances in nearly 50 venues, the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival (DEJF) has become the largest music festival in Washington, DC. This year's event celebrates New Orleans, the "birthplace of jazz."

DEJF Founder/Executive Producer Charles Fishman comments, "We're proud to pay homage to New Orleans in our nation's capital. Highlights include two free all-day concerts on the National Mall showcasing the Crescent City's unique musical heritage, and Celebrating a Jazz Master at the Kennedy Center, which honors pianist Ellis Marsalis featuring a rare performance with his sons; and special guests Harry Connick, Jr. and Dr. Billy Taylor."

DEJF chairs are: Thomas Hale Boggs, Jr., chairman of Patton Boggs LLP; Walter Isaacson, President/CEO of the Aspen Institute; Sheila Johnson, CEO of Salamander Hospitality; former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, President/CEO of the National Urban League, and James Carville and Mary Matalin, honorary chairs of DEJF's New Orleans committee.

   2009 DEJF Festival: Celebrating New Orleans:   (Subject to change)     June 5      Jazz in the Garden * National Gallery of Art * FREE    June 5-15   Jazz in the 'Hoods * Performances in 35 clubs, restaurants               and hotels    June 6-7    Jazz 'n Families Fun Days * Phillips Collection *  FREE    June 8-15   New Orleans on the Potomac * Kennedy Center Millennium               Stage * FREE    June 10     Gala Concert: Vivre la Nouvelle Orleans: Paquito D'Rivera,               DEJF's Artistic Adviser, with Dr. Michael White and the               Original Liberty Jazz Band * Embassy of France    New Orleans on the National Mall * FREE    June 13: 1pm - FREE * Sylvan Theater   Terence Blanchard, Rebirth Brass Band, Little Freddie King, Nicholas   Payton, Don Vappie & the Creole Serenaders    June 14: 1pm - FREE * Sylvan Theater   Buckwheat Zydeco, Nicholas Payton, Trombone Shorty, Donald Harrison and   Irma Thomas    Celebrating a Jazz Master: Ellis Marsalis   June 15: 7:30pm * John. F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts   Tribute concert featuring Ellis Marsalis - recipient of the 2009 DEJF   Lifetime Achievement Award-- with sons Branford, Wynton, Delfeayo and   Jason; Harry Connick, Jr.; and Dr. Billy Taylor    For information and tickets: www.dejazzfest.org   

(C) 2009 Festivals DC, Ltd. All rights reserved. "Duke Ellington" is a trademark of the Estate of Mercer K. Ellington.

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Source: Duke Ellington Jazz Festival

CONTACT: Jana La Sorte, +1-347-726-8325, jana@janlynpr.com

Web Site: http://www.dejazzfest.org/

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Profile: International Entertainment