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Alumna of Duke Ellington’s band in town with fellow Philly jazz artist

Jazz trumpeter A. Bruce Frazier is artistic director of Grace Notes, an ensemble that performs sacred music with the rhythmic style and harmonic sounds of African-American culture. He also specializes in wedding music in the Philadelphia area.
Jazz trumpeter A. Bruce Frazier is artistic director of Grace Notes, an ensemble that performs sacred music with the rhythmic style and harmonic sounds of African-American culture. He also specializes in wedding music in the Philadelphia area. Jazz trumpeter A. Bruce Frazier is artistic director of Grace Notes, an ensemble that performs sacred music with the rhythmic style and harmonic sounds of African-American culture. He also specializes in wedding music in the Philadelphia area.

By Staff Report 2 min read

To see them

› Today, April 14: Leading UTC masterclass in Cadek Recital Hall, 725 Oak St., 3 p.m.› Sunday, April 17: Featured in services at First-Centenary United Methodist Church, 419 McCallie Ave., 8:30 and 10:45 a.m., accompanied by local jazz pianist Dave Walters.

photo DeVonne Gardner began her professional singing career at age 16 with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
photo A. Bruce Frazier

Two Philadelphia jazz artists, including a soloist who toured with Duke Ellington, will be making appearances in Chattanooga through the weekend.

Vocalist DeVonne Gardner and trumpeter A. Bruce Frazier will be at a masterclass at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga today, April 14; visit the Center for Creative Arts on Friday, April 15; and be featured in services at First-Centenary United Methodist Church on Sunday, April 17.

Gardner’s time with Ellington began at age 16 when she was chosen through an audition with the renowned bandleader to join with his orchestra in his second Sacred Concert in 1968. She then sang with Ellington until his death in 1974, touring worldwide with the band for eight years, including two years when Ellington’s son Mercer assumed leadership. She sang more Sacred Concerts than any other soprano and is the only soprano to have sung with both father and son in these performances.

Gardner has sung with orchestras in Israel, Jordan, England, France and Spain and under the baton of such conductors as Zubin Mehta, Eugene Ormandy and Bobby McFerrin. She also has enjoyed a distinguished career as a teacher of voice. She has sung in Chattanooga twice before, in 2006 and 2009, in presentations of the Ellington Sacred Concerts.