News Release: May 3, 1999

Jazz on the Mall

Free Concert
Saturday, May 22
2 to 6 pm
7th Street at Madison Drive, N.W.,
Washington, DC
(Raindate Sunday, May 23)

Free Jazz Concert on the Mall, May 22, with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and Dukes of Dixieland to Celebrate New National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

Washington, DC -- The National Gallery of Art will present a free, open-air jazz concert on Saturday, May 22 (rain date Sunday, May 23), from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. on the National Mall at Madison Drive and Seventh Street, N.W. The concert celebrates the Gallery's new Sculpture Garden and the centennial of Duke Ellington's birth. The afternoon of jazz will feature the acclaimed Duke Ellington Orchestra in their only Washington appearance this year and New Orleans' oldest continually performing jazz band, the Dukes of Dixieland.

The world-renowned Duke Ellington Orchestra was founded by Washington's own, Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington. Led by the Duke himself until his death in 1972, the orchestra is now directed by his grandson, Paul Mercer Ellington. A songwriter, bandleader and conductor, Paul Ellington, at the age of 20, continues the Ellington legacy by performing jazz classics and all-time favorites such as Take the A Train, Satin Doll, and Sophisticated Lady, which will be played on May 22.

The Dukes of Dixieland bring their own distinct jazz style to Washington. A New Orleans tradition in their fourth decade, the Dukes of Dixieland have shared the stage with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Pete Fountain, and have appeared as special guests with major symphony orchestras. Founded in 1949 by the Assunto brothers, the group reached international fame in the fifties and early sixties. Today's six-member ensemble will perform foot-stomping favorites such as Tiger Rag, Petite Fleur, Honky Tonk Train Blues, and When The Saints Go Marchin' In. The Dukes of Dixieland have appeared on several national television programs, and record on their own jazz label. They have received rave reviews for their recent release, Sound of Bix.

The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden is a gift to the nation by The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. The elegant, landscaped garden, which opens to the public on May 23, is located adjacent to the West Building at Seventh Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W. It will offer visitors year-round enjoyment with a center fountain and winter ice-skating rink. The Sculpture Garden will include nearly 20 works by preeminent artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Mark di Suvero, Isamu Noguchi, and Roy Lichtenstein.

For up-to-date information on the free concert call the National Gallery of Art's concert line at (202) 842-6941. The concert is made possible by The Circle of the National Gallery of Art.

General Information

The National Gallery of Art and its Sculpture Garden are at all times free to the public. They are located on the National Mall between 3rd and 9th Streets at Constitution Avenue NW, and are open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Gallery is closed on December 25 and January 1. For information call (202) 737-4215 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at (202) 842-6176, or visit the Gallery's Web site at www.nga.gov.

Visitors will be asked to present all carried items for inspection upon entering the East and West Buildings. Checkrooms are free of charge and located at each entrance. Luggage and other oversized bags must be presented at the 4th Street entrances to the East or West Building to permit x-ray screening and must be deposited in the checkrooms at those entrances. For the safety of visitors and the works of art, nothing may be carried into the Gallery on a visitor's back. Any bag or other items that cannot be carried reasonably and safely in some other manner must be left in the checkrooms. Items larger than 17 x 26 inches cannot be accepted by the Gallery or its checkrooms.

For additional press information please call or send inquiries to:

Press Office
National Gallery of Art
2000B South Club Drive
Landover, MD 20785
phone: (202) 842-6353 e-mail: pressinfo@nga.gov

Deborah Ziska
Chief of Press and Public Information
(202) 842-6353
ds-ziska@nga.gov

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