Brian Stokes Mitchell Sings Duke Ellington

First, let me say that I would walk several miles in the rain or snow barefoot to hear Brian Stokes Mitchell sing from the Yellow Pages.

So imagine my delight to know that I only needed to navigate through rush hour traffic on the beltway to get to the beautiful Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda to hear Mr. Mitchell sing from Ellington’s American Songbook.

Joined by David Baker and Washington’s own Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and his pianist and arranger, Ted Firth, Brian Stokes Mitchell gave his masterful touch to some intriguing and fresh interpretations of several Ellington tunes.

The seamless pairing of The ‘A’ Train with Another Hundred People was truly delightful and Mr. Mitchell handled the lyrics and timing with aplomb.  His diction is impeccable and his ability to tell the story is without equal.  A word here about Ted Firth – AMAZING.  His arrangement of Sophisticated Lady along with Mr. Mitchell’s vocals transformed the familiar big band tune into an aria. 

Joining in the celebration were three Washingtonians:  first, the fantastic young tapping brothers John and Leo Manzari who amazed with their indefatigable routines of rhythm and grace; then,  r&b and gospel singer Julia Nixon gave  soulful renderings of I Got it Bad and Come Sunday  and joined Mr. Stokes in a duet of Lucky So and So.

Brian Stokes Mitchell and his guests shared the stage for a rousing encore, It Don’t Mean A Thing, which sent the audience from the concert hall with a bounce in their steps.  This was a very enjoyable, entertaining and graceful tribute to the Duke. 

To paraphrase – I loved it madly. 

(Reviewed by Beverly Cosham 2/19/2012)