Ellington on Broadway (2745 Broadway, Upper West Side, New York) is unveiling a new weekly live music series in partnership with WMC Creative, an award-winning production company, featuring acclaimed established and emerging artists, beginning at the end of July 2023. The music series will feature celebrated and up-and-coming, jazz musicians and DJs. The Saturday DJ brunch is from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm; while the live jazz brunch on Sundays is from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. As part of the music series, Ellington will offer drink and food specials including Duke’s Wish, a beverage crafted in homage of Duke Ellington (Aperol, sweet vermouth, sparkling rose); while The Daisy Mocktail (cucumber honey; mango puree; lime juice; and ginger beer) is a nod to Duke Ellington's mother, Daisy Kennedy Ellington, who was a celebrated pianist. There is also other specials to select from such as a refreshing, Watermelon Salad (feta cheese, arugula, mandarin orange lemon vinaigrette); and a signature Ellington Lobster Roll (Maine-style roll on a griddle bun, tarragon, and celery mayo, served with old bay fries). Reservations recommended and to book visit Resy or call (212)-281-3011.
In addition, Ellington’s sister establishment, the beach-inspired outdoor bar and restaurant Ellington in the Park (located inside Riverside Park on West 105th Street) will also introduce live music performances (this music series started on July 20th). The performances will feature a curated line-up of lively bands covering the hits of pop, classic rock, Motown, funk, Soul-Pop, and more. The performances will take place, weekly on Thursdays, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Ellington in the Park is open Mondays – Sundays, from 11:00 am – 10:00 pm. Walk-ins recommended. For enquiries and reservations, call 917-280-4533 and follow @theellingtointhepark for the latest news.
Featured performers at Ellington on Broadway will include the following:
Musicians:
John Deley – A Pittsburgh native who grew-up playing Beethoven Sonatas and Who tunes. After attending Carnegie-Mellon University as a classical piano major, he found that there was a lot more music in the world that he wanted to explore, so he moved to Boston to pursue his master’s degree in Jazz Studies at the New England Conservatory. He arrived in New York in 1997, and started his career as a sideman which has included performing with such artists as Dido, Angelique Kidjo, Lizz Wright, Incognito, Elle King, Darlene Love, Valerie June and more recently with Idina Menzel and David Johansen. For the last 11 years he played keyboard for Sesame Street and when he is not being a sideman, he is performing with his New Orleans band, The 41 Players
Marcos Varela – Varela quickly gained recognition in the Houston jazz scene and by the age of 18 was one of the top honorees of the NFAA International Jazz award and a IAJE Clifford Brown/Stan Getz All-Star fellow. In recent years he was invited to participate in the IASJ in Frieburg, Germany, a member of the prestigious Kennedy Centers “Betty Carter Jazz Ahead” Program in D. C., and Rivinia-Steans Institute, in Chicago, Illinois (both programs are by invitation only for musicians who have a high level of musical composition and performance skills). He quickly became part of the New York and World music scene collaborating and performing with a wide variety of world class musicians and music legends such as Billy Hart, Charli Persip, Martha Wainwright, The Mingus Big Band, Jason Moran, Yosvany Terry, Larry John McNally, Lee Curreri, Bill Lee, Manuel Valera, Brad Leali, George Cables, Billy Harper, Orrin Evans, Bob Mover and more. He has performed at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola; the Jazz Standard; Le Poisson Rouge; Birdland; Small’s; Blue Note (Milan and NYC), and many more
Mike Ricchiuti - Ricchiuti is a musician, composer as well as a keyboardist, with a refreshing contemporary jazz approach to playing and writing. While grounded in the jazz piano tradition, he also draws upon a wide variety of influences from pop to soul and funk, giving him a unique voice as an artist. His influences include Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, and Stevie Wonder. Ricchiuti’s talents have also been sought out by a variety of other artists and he has toured with legendary funk saxophonist Maceo Parker; as well as backing-up the likes of Al Jarreau, Natalie Cole, Phoebe Snow, Jeff Golub, and Russ Freeman. In addition, he has worked with Michael Brecker, Patti Austin, David Foster, Jeff Kashiwa, Chieli Minucci, and Nelson Rangell
Zerlina Devi - Originally from Bali, Indonesia, pianist, and composer Devi is quickly emerging as a star in the music scene today. She released her first album consisting of her compositions as well as unique piano playing, where she had the pleasure to have Darren Barrett on her record. She continues to give audiences a glimpse of a new voice that they are seeking with her energetic and inspirational performances
Bryan Reeder - A pianist and composer working in jazz, classical, and contemporary music, Reeder performs regularly in New York as well as throughout the United States and abroad. He has released several albums, recorded music for film, and performed as a band leader at venues such as Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle Hotel, Feinstein's, and Philadelphia's Kimmel Center, as well as special engagements at the Metropolitan Opera at Lincoln Center, and Joe's Pub. Reeder is also the musical director and pianist for Tony-nominated Euan Morton and together they have performed in concert at the Kennedy Center, The Algonquin Hotel's Oak Room, and the Morgan Library. Bryan is the keyboardist in Gideon King & The City Blog with shows at The Blue Note and City Winery
DJs
DJ Vida - Miami Beach-born, NYC-based DJ who considers herself as a versatile open format DJ that wows any crowd from pop to hip-hop to indie and the classics and also a musician who showcases a passion for electronica. She has opened for Ed Sheeran, Drake, and A-Trak, spun for notable venues in New York and Miami, and also played the sold-out Ultra Music festival. Vida has also appeared on VH1 and Revolt TV and is the resident DJ for the Brooklyn Nets’ VIP lounge
DJ Stef - Multi talented and versatile, native New Yorker DJ Stef known for her impeccable ear, seamless mixes and her extensive musical knowledge. Her long list of clients includes Ferrari, Karl Lagerfeld, Rebecca Minkoff, Ralph Lauren, Prada, Smirnoff, Jameson, Esquire Magazine, In Style, Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Marie Claire, Vibe Magazine, Billboard, Ted Baker and LeSportsac to name a few. She has opened up for acts and shared the stage with star talents such as Janelle Monae, Kelly Rowland, Mark Ronson, Mix Master Mike and DJ Scratch. Her artistry goes beyond just DJing. Stef’s list of acting credits includes featured roles in Law & Order SVU, Dennis Leary's Rescue Me, the Robert De Niro directed film The Good Shepherd, and a campaign for Venus Gilette razors
Ellington is partnering with WMC Creative, to curate the music and entertainment programming for the establishment – WMC is a multi-faceted full-service production. The company was founded by veterans of New York City’s production world, with roots firmly planted in the music, television, film and theater industries. WMC has deep and longstanding relationships with many of the world's best-known artists, as well as emerging-talent. WMC’s carefully built relationships with performers and artists allows them to craft exclusive experiences for Ellington.
All events and times are subject to change.
