Jason Moran – Ellington Solo @ Kennedy Center

Jazz Buddies,

On Wednesday night, Kennedy Center, as part of Ellington 125, its year-around commemoration of the 125th birthday of Washington, D.C.’s native son, Edward “Duke” Ellington, presented a wonderful solo piano concert in the 1161-seat Eisenhower Theatre, featuring pianist Jason Moran, who also serves as Kennedy Center Artistic Director for Jazz. 

Befitting a Broadway theatrical production (e.g., lighting design, set design, projection design, etc.), the 140-minute set, which Moran curated, was beautifully enhanced by the IMAX-sized backstage screen that looped several photos taken of Ellington by Gordon Parks, the world-renown renaissance man (e.g., photographer, composer, author, poet, filmmaker, documentary photojournalist).

Gordon Parks (1912-2006) became an acclaimed and prominent U.S. documentary photojournalist in the 1940s through 1970s, focusing particularly on issues of civil rights, poverty, social justice, race relations, and the African American experience.

Parks was a teenager when he first met Ellington in 1929, and was enthralled by “The Duke’s” style, grace, and talent.  Decades later, now an acclaimed documentary photographer, Parks had the opportunity to tour with Ellington and his band, as well as capture memorable moments in the recording studio.

Jason Moran, faced with the rather daunting and challenging task of selecting which music to feature from Jazz’s most prolific composer, played beautifully while displaying masterful chops throughout the set list:

  • Reflections In D
  • I’ve Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good
  • Black And Tan Fantasy
  • Melancholia
  • Wig Wise
  • Carolina Shout
  • Lotus Blossom (B. Strayhorn)
  • It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing
  • Dancers In Love
  • Sophisticated Lady
  • Jeep’s Blues
  • Single Petal Of A Rose
  • I Like The Sunrise
  • Fleurette Africaine (encore)

It was quite a tribute to such Jazz royalty, indeed !!! 🎹👑

Ironically, from hearing a few recent solo piano releases, as well as extended piano introductions, I’ve become quite enamored with ‘solo piano’ lately.

Admittedly, with a few exceptions, of course, my interest, concentration, and alertness during a full-length 70-minute solo piano concert usually wane somewhat, as opposed to a solo selection during a set that features the pianist.  And I love the piano!!!  Perhaps, I just miss the bass/drum interaction too much, as well as the harmonic possibilities of a hard-blowing front line. 

But because ‘solo piano’ is a unique Jazz category/format in and of itself that frighteningly bares naked a pianist, as well as courageously provides an opportunity to display unique piano chops, harmonic approach, technique, improvisational skills, style, soulfulness, treatment, touch, and tempo to Jazz standards and classics, I’ve come up with my latest “Ultimate Jazz Playlist”:

https://kacbooksread.com/solo-piano/

Surprisingly, many notable Jazz pianists did not record solo piano albums, or record specific Jazz standards as solo pieces on their albums.

Hope you enjoy!  I’m sure that you’ll instantly recognize many of the legendary pianists, as well as the tunes… 🎹

Please continue to support ‘live’ Jazz and local Jazz venues.  🙏 Take care! 🎵🎵

Kenneth