Warmed up after an acclaimed four-night winter run at the SFJAZZ Center, piano great Jason Moran rejoins forces with the Marcus Shelby Orchestra for a deep dive into Ellingtonia, the supremely sophisticated, wittily sardonic, and unspeakably beautiful body of music created by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn. Moran is a MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, artistic director for jazz at the Kennedy Center, and among the most celebrated pianists of his generation. Joining them is rising vocalist Darynn Dean. Prior to Jason Moran solo, Marcus Shelby will perform with his Orchestra, a big band comprised of some of the Bay Area’s most respected and well-known instrumentalists.

Before the music starts, Jason Moran and DownBeat’s Ted Panken will host an educational Duke Ellington Listening Session.

Jazz Guitar’s Rennaisance Cowboy and Healdsburg Jazz Master Artist in Residence! A creative force on the jazz scene since the late 1970s, Bruce Forman has toured and recorded with some of jazz’s most celebrated improvisers, from vibraphone legend Bobby Hutcherson and tenor sax titan Joe Henderson to bass maestro Jeff Clayton and drum master Jeff Hamilton. Always looking for new paths to express himself, Forman has written novels and stage productions, and hosted a podcast series and YouTube variety show that helped preserve sanity during the pandemic lockdown. Forman is joined by the world-class rhythm section tandem of bassist John Wiitala and drummer Brian Fishler.