Duke Ellington and Count Basie defined jazz in the 1930s and continued their presence into today.  These two masters broke away from the dance band mold to find a sound so different, their styles have become standard performance practices of every big band today.  Duke, with his well-known musical partner, Billy Strayhorn, went on to write countless classics and many artistic endeavors into musical suites for big band.  Count Basie’s laid back feel and stylistic innovations led his career from a riff band into an iconic figure of jazz.

Moores School of Music Jazz Orchestra, with special guest Tianna Hall, will pay tribute to Duke Ellington and Count Basie.  The music will focus on transcriptions, recreations, and tributes to the two band leaders.  Although it would be wreck less to perform every hit song from both composers, the song selection is designed to highlight the hits and the beautiful, lesser known compositions of their catalogues.

*Purchase tickets by clicking here, concert will start at 7:30pm in the Moores Opera House.

Tianna Hall

Tianna Hall is a 33 year old, three time Grammy recognized vocalist based in Houston, Texas. She attended the University of Houston where she majored in Vocal Performance and worked professionally in musical theatre and opera for many years before focusing her craft on vocal jazz.  She was mentored by composer, arranger, and jazz pianist Paul English, who helped her begin her career in jazz in 2004. She quickly became and continues to be Houston’s busiest and most sought after jazz vocalist.

Past performance venues include Minute Maid Park for the Houston Astros, Robertson Stadium for the Houston Dynamo, Jones Hall for the Progressive Forum’s presentation of both Garrison Keillor & Frank Rich, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts’ Theater District Open House Presentation for the City of Houston, two appearances on the late night Houston Television Variety show for the arts The After Party with Ernie Manouse, and two appearances with commentator Eric Ladau on KUHF’s 88.7 FM. She also works as a studio session vocalist in every genre for many professional Houston recording studios.