Chuck Redd and company explore the genius of Duke Ellington and his Orchestra just before and during the Swing Era. The first half will focus on the Harlem Renaissance years, 1928 into the 1930s. The second half will feature music from Ellington's Blanton/Webster period and the Swing Era (the early 1940s), and beyond. Duke's perpetually innovative compositions and arrangements were enhanced by saxophonist Ben Webster and bassist Jimmy Blanton who helped define a new sound for the band and for big bands in general. The show also features iconic vocal numbers, made popular by Adelaide Hall, Ivie Anderson, Ray Nance, Al Hibler and Ella Fitzgerald.