Jazz Legacy Project Celebrates Duke Ellington's Legacy

Tribute concert series at Atlanta's Velvet Note jazz club honors iconic composer and bandleader.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 11:00pm

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The Jazz Legacy Project, a popular monthly residency at the Velvet Note jazz club in Atlanta, is dedicating its next performance to honoring the life and music of legendary composer and bandleader Duke Ellington. The project was created in 2015 by Justin Varnes, a jazz history professor at Georgia State University, as an innovative way to engage college students with jazz through live performances and storytelling.

Why it matters

The Jazz Legacy Project has found great success in bringing jazz music to new audiences by making it more accessible and interactive. Paying tribute to iconic figures like Duke Ellington helps introduce his timeless compositions to younger generations and keeps the rich history of jazz alive.

The details

Each month, the Jazz Legacy Project residency at the Velvet Note focuses on a different jazz legend, performing their music and sharing stories about the artist's life and impact. For the upcoming Duke Ellington tribute, the ensemble will play some of his most beloved works and provide historical context about Ellington's innovative compositions and his influence on the evolution of jazz.

  • The Jazz Legacy Project has been in residence at the Velvet Note in Atlanta since 2015.
  • The Duke Ellington tribute performance is scheduled for April 1, 2026.

The players

Justin Varnes

The founder of the Jazz Legacy Project and a jazz history professor at Georgia State University.

The Velvet Note

A jazz club in Atlanta that has hosted the Jazz Legacy Project's monthly residency since 2015.

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What they’re saying

“Ditching a traditional textbook in favor of playing records and telling stories about the artists to college kids who knew little or nothing about jazz proved to be a big success.”

— Justin Varnes, Founder, Jazz Legacy Project

What’s next

The Jazz Legacy Project's Duke Ellington tribute performance at the Velvet Note is scheduled for April 1, 2026.

The takeaway

The Jazz Legacy Project's innovative approach of combining live music performances with storytelling has helped introduce jazz to new audiences and keep the genre's rich history alive. Honoring legendary composers like Duke Ellington is crucial for preserving the legacy of jazz.