site.btaDuke Ellington Orchestra to Hold Concert and Masterclasses in Sofia

Two of today’s leading jazz musicians, Charlie Young III, conductor of the legendary Duke Ellington Orchestra, and renowned tenor saxophonist Shelley Carrol, will lead masterclasses in Sofia, the Prof. Pancho Vladigerov National Music Academy said on Tuesday.

On June 29 and 30, the two musicians will work with students from the Academy’s Big Band, combining individual and ensemble sessions. The masterclasses will also be open to the public.

“This rare opportunity is not just about training – it’s a living connection to Duke Ellington’s legacy, carried on by those who continue his musical path. With classics from the jazz repertoire and a focus on live performance skills, the workshops will prepare the students for the highlight of the visit, a grand concert by The Duke Ellington Orchestra on July 1, at the square in front of the National Palace of Culture,” the Academy said.

The concert will open with a performance by the Big Band, led by conductor Mihail Yossifov. This will be the first time Sofia hosts such an event, bringing together generations, styles, and inspirations, the organizers noted.

Young and Carrol will be visiting Bulgaria together with Paul Ellington, grandson of Duke Ellington and son of Mercer Ellington, the only child of the iconic bandleader who also gained recognition as a composer, arranger, and long-time leader of the orchestra. After Mercer’s passing, Paul Ellington took on the responsibility of managing his grandfather’s artistic and legal heritage. He often participates in projects related to the orchestra’s repertoire and activity.