Swinging With the Duke

In the annals of musical history, Edward Kennedy (Duke) Ellington stands as one of the great figures.

Before his death in 1974, the Duke dazzled audiences worldwide with his special brand of big band swing, creating such hits as “All Too Soon,” “C Jam Blues” and “It Don’t Mean a Thing if It Ain’t Got That Swing.”

Ellington’s music lives on through the hundreds of tribute albums and concerts that are performed by his many admirers.

One such concert will be performed at Port Hueneme’s Dorill B. Wright Cultural Center on Saturday.

“Mostly Duke: A Salute to the Duke Ellington Era” brings to Ventura County some of the same artists who recorded and toured with Ellington in years past.

“He was one of the most prolific writers I’ve ever come in contact with,” said Herb Jeffries, a former singer with the Ellington band.

Jeffries and his own orchestra will be joined on stage by the harmonizing duo John and Donald Mills, vocalist Barbara McNair--who also performed and recorded with Ellington--and tap dancer extraordinaire Gene Bell.

“Our ‘Mostly Duke’ tour will travel the U. S. for five weeks,” Jeffries said. “There’s been a major big band resurgence in the past four to five years and people are hungry for the stuff. Duke is a favorite with all ages. We play at colleges and sell out, small towns and sell out--everywhere.”

Concert-goers will also enjoy a number of other big band pieces besides those penned by Ellington.

“The Duke liked to play things he didn’t necessarily write and we’ll do some of those and other favorites too,” Jeffries said.

The result will be an evening heavy on big band swing--a genre the Duke was largely responsible for making famous.

“I think Ellington will come to be recognized in the same manner Beethoven and Mozart are recognized,” Jeffries said.

The cultural center is at 575 Surfside Drive. The performance begins at 8 p.m. Admission is $20, reserved seating. For information, call the box office at 986-6598.