Frank Sinatra and Duke Ellington were two of the most prolific artists of their time. However, they met in the studio only once: 1968’s Francis A & Edward K. Here, the JazzMN Orchestra will perform tunes from each of their catalogs in an inspiring homage to the golden age of jazz!

The JazzMN Orchestra has presented over eighty concerts in its main series since its inception in 1999. Also, they perform often at festivals around the Twin Cities. Moreover, the music performed by the JazzMN Orchestra spans from the beginnings of jazz to contemporary works by today’s composers. The Orchestra has featured international jazz artists like Randy Brecker, Kurt Elling, Mike Stern, Arturo Sandoval, Gordon Goodwin, Phil Woods, Nicholas Payton and Paquito D’Rivera.

Singer/pianist Andrew Walesch encapsulates the sophistication of a cosmopolite and the self-effacing charm of a country boy, like many before him. Leading his all-star big band, showman Walesch kidnaps the Blue Eyes tradition and makes it his own. With this ten-piece band, Walesch embodies both a traditionalist and an iconoclast.

Drummer Joe Pulice is one of the region’s elite percussionists. Also, he has played drums for the JazzMN Orchestra for over twenty years. Pulice toured with Woody Herman’s Thundering Herd, and world-renowned drummer Eric Kamau Gravatt’s group Kamanari. Additionally, Pulice toured with Jack McDuff’s Heatin’ System and with vocalist Bernadette Peters. Also, Joe has won two Minnesota Jazz Music Awards.