For the first time since 2020, now able to return to Carnegie Hall after the long pandemic “intermission,” the American Symphony Orchestra conducted by Leon Botstein opened with Duke Ellington’s Black, Brown and Beige Suite on Thursday, March 24, 2022.
When it premiered at Carnegie almost 60 years ago, Ellington’s composition was another step in his lifelong mission to “uplift the Negro.” It may be that premiere furthered a subtle yet perceptible uplift in attitudes toward People of Color—and the title itself perhaps inspired an update to “Black.”
On this occasion, an added handful of stellar jazz musicians emerged from their quarantine to instill a measure of swing in this ASO performance: Dion Tucker, trombone; Ricardo Pascal, saxophone; Dan Block, clarinet; Andy Farber, alto saxophone; Joe Goldberg, clarinet, Steve Kenyon, baritone saxophone; and Alphonso Horne, trumpet.
Described as “exotica,” Ellington’s Night Creature included an up-tempo swing feel. “A king must dance; an imaginary monster who does the boogie-woogie; night creatures . . . come on to star, they are cool and beg for recognition from the queen who reigns over all the night creatures.” The orchestra ended this selection with a stomping climax.
The orchestra next accompanied pianist Marcus Roberts who, attired in an eye-catching red jacket, performed New World A-Comin’ with assistan
