Come on up to the Volcano Art Center for a swinging and soulful evening with the Jazztones. Jazz in the Forest - A tribute to Duke Ellington: "A Prelude to a Kiss" at Volcano Art Center Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village on Saturday, September 10, 2022, from 5:30 – 7:00pm, (doors open at 5:00pm).

"A Prelude to a Kiss" - one of the hundreds of compositions which reflect the love, and many dimensions of music that master Ellington shared with the world, because all his musical expressions were about love - in love's many forms.

Edward Ellington was called The Duke because of his classy professional presentation from early in his life, which also began early in the 20th century, and impacted virtually all styles of American popular, jazz and classical music beginning in the 1920s until long after his passing in 1974, having led and composed for his orchestra worldwide.

This concert will highlight some of his best loved compositions, as well as lesser-known tone poems such as "Lotus Blossom", and some "jungle music" from the New York Cotton Club era of the 1930s. " The Mooche" will feature Jean Pierre playing clarinet and saxophone in recreation of the colorful palate of plaintive as well as joyful emotions.

The Jazztones Ensemble includes JP- Jean Pierre - Thoma on clarinet, soprano, alto and tenor saxophones; vocalist Binti Bailey singing her soulful internationally tinged songs of passion; German born and classically trained pianist Alex Czerny currently specializing in jazz and tango groups in Hawaii; Brain McCree is our bass virtuoso who will be leading off the evening with one of his always swinging solos; and percussionist Rus Lundgren will provide the pulse getting us through the jungle to the love songs.

The Volcano Art Center is a non-profit educational organization created in 1974 to promote, develop, and perpetuate the artistic and cultural heritage of Hawai‘i’s people and environment through activities in the visual, literary, and performing arts. Please visit www.volcanoartcenter.org.