Duke Ellington at the piano from the Frank Driggs Collection
The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music, UNESCO Center for Global Citizenship, Conservatory of Central Illinois, and University of Illinois Center for Global Studies have joined together to produce an exciting evening of jazz entertainment to celebrate International Jazz Day. Central Illinois’ inaugural jazz celebration begins with the UNESCO Jazz Film Fantasy at the Art Theatre (5:00-6:30). This special showing of the short films St. Louis Blues, Date with Duke (Perfume Suite), and Black and Tan Fantasy will include informative introductions by Sam Reese, Associate Professor Emeritus of Music, that will highlight the lives and music of Duke Ellington, Bessie Smith, Louis Armstrong and many other jazz legends. The official Jazz Film Fantasy after-party will then move to the Esquire Lounge (7:00-9:00) where jazz aficionados can enjoy the swinging sounds of the Traditional Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Morgan Powell. Admission to the UNESCO Jazz Film Fantasy and the TJO performance is FREE. Food and beverage will be available for purchase. For more information visit http://unescouc.wix.com/unesco- or email ucgc.champaign@gmail.com.