PNGML headed to D.C.

Category: 'Y' Published on Wednesday, 03 February 2010 09:00 Written by Courier Newsroom Hits: 1000

The Billy Eckstine Youth Vocal All-Star Ensemble and The Billy Strayhorn Youth Jazz All-Star Ensemble, a program component of Pittsburgh’s Next Generation of Music Legends are headed to Washington, D.C., April 23-25 for the sixth annual Big Band Jazz Festival.

Some of the activities include master class jazz workshops by renowned music educators at the Sylvan Amphitheater and live concert performances by the students at the theater and the National Mall.

B. SMITH

Students will attend concert performance by the Smithsonian Jazz Master Work Orchestra, an Ella Fitzgerald salute by the Brad Lind Orchestra featuring vocalist Lena Seikaly, who has drawn comparisons to Ella Fitzgerald. Additional concerts will feature Afro Blue, the Howard University vocal jazz ensemble, which was named best college jazz group by Downbeat Magazine.

Pittsburgh’s Next Generation of Music Legends is a newly-founded organization whose mission is to create educational and career opportunity for talented youth musicians to develop their skills under the guidance of professional musicians and music educators. PNGML is requesting support in this upcoming tour by providing a financial donation to help underwrite the cost of this trip. No amount is too small or too big.

Other activities will include tours of historic D.C. landmarks such as the capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, the Smithsonian African American Exhibition and the Holocaust Museum.

Also included in the trip is a unique opportunity to have brunch at former Pittsburgher, supermodel and TV show host B. Smith’s famed restaurant in Union Square and a live concert by the Count Basie Orchestra at the Blue Alley Supper Club.

(For more information or to reserve a seat, call 412-377-4681 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . For donations, make checks out to Pittsburgh’s Next Generation of Music Legends. Address is 0918 Frankstown Road, Suite 701, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.)