The BIG BAND sound returns as the powerhouse jazz ensembles from the University of the District of Columbia (directed by Allyn Johnson), Howard University (directed by Fred Irby III), and the University of Maryland (directed by Mark Williams) celebrate Duke Ellington’s 125th Birthday and honor Fred Irby III for his 50 years of dedicated service to jazz education and as founder and director of the Howard University Jazz Ensemble. Produced by the Jazz Studies Program and the Felix E. Grant Jazz Archives, the festival began in 1987 as part of a city-wide tribute to Duke Ellington, and it remains one of the most anticipated events on Washington, DC’s jazz calendar.