Paul Marinaro to Release New Album Celebrating Duke Ellington Jan. 24-25 at Studio5 in Evanston

Evanston, Ill. — Studio5, a performing arts center based in Evanston, is thrilled to welcome Paul Marinaro — a beloved Chicago jazz vocalist known for his signature interpretations of jazz standards — for a special two-night engagement, where he will play music from his latest album, Mood Ellington, on Jan. 24 and 25, for the very first time.

Mood Ellington is a landmark, ambitious album, produced by Marinaro and Jim Gailloretto, featuring 25 songs by Duke Ellington and/or Billy Strayhorn and arranged by a who’s-who list of jazz arrangers working today, including Grammy award-winner John Clayton, Alan Broadbent, Chuck Israels and Bill Cunliffe. The album officially came out from Origin Records on Nov. 21.

At the Studio5 performance, Marinaro will be backed by nine musicians, including Tom Vaitsas on piano; Mike Allemana on guitar; John Tate on bass; Neil Hemphill on drums; Rich Moore on alto sax, clarinet, and flute; John Wojciechowski on tenor and soprano sax and flute; Ted Hogarth on baritone sax and bass clarinet; Eric Jacobson on trumpet and flugelhorn; and Steve Duncan on trombone.

Born in Washington, D.C., in 1899, Duke Ellington became famous as a composer during the Harlem Renaissance in New York City. Known for his unique use of the big band orchestra, many of Ellington’s songs have become indelible parts of the Great American Songbook, including “Mood Indigo,” “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” and “In A Sentimental Mood,” all of which Marinaro tackles on his album as well.

But in addition putting his own spin on these Ellington favorites, Marinaro also includes lesser-known songs such as “Take Love Easy” and “Day Dream.”

“I often say that hosting the shows at Studio5 is in part a selfish act: Great musicians come to our stage to perform, and I get to sit wherever I want. And this show is no exception,” said Steve Rashid, co-artistic director of Studio5. “And since this particular event has two performances, I get to hear this one twice!”

As an album review in Paris Move said, “If jazz is, as Ellington once said, ‘freedom of expression,’ then Marinaro’s freedom lies in fidelity, to melody, to lyric, to craft. In a marketplace short on that kind of integrity, his Duke project stands out as a beautifully made, emotionally honest, and quietly defiant statement.”

EVENT INFO

Jan. 24 at 8 p.m., Jan. 25 at 4 p.m. — Paul Marinaro ‘Mood Ellington’ Album Release

Celebrate the release of Paul Marinaro’s latest album, Mood Ellington, featuring 25 songs by Duke Ellington and/or Billy Strayhorn. Marinaro is a beloved Chicago jazz vocalist known for his interpretation of jazz standards, masterful phrasing and his emotional connection to the music. In this show, he’ll be performing some of Ellington’s most famous hits, including “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore,” “In a Sentimental Mood” and “Mood Indigo,” as well as some of Ellington’s lesser-known songs. This concert will be recorded live for Chicago Jazz Live on WDCB.

Tickets: $40 for theater seating, $55 for cabaret seating

Tickets are now on sale at http://studio5.dance/calendar.

Studio5

Where: 1934 Dempster St., Evanston, IL 60202

Info: http://studio5.dance/calendar

About Studio5

Studio5 is a performing arts venue that opened in Evanston in 2016, bringing professional dance, music, and spoken word events to a 128-seat theater. Founded and curated by Dance Center Evanston director Béa Rashid and Emmy-award winning composer and jazz musician Steve Rashid, Studio5 provides North Shore arts-goers with a venue that is both state-of-the-art and intimate, connecting audiences and artists. Studio5 boasts great sight lines; comfortable seats; excellent sound; ample, free parking; and a cash bar that opens half an hour before each performance.