Erik Jekabson String-tet · Jackie Ryan

The Erik Jekabson String-tet brings their Duke Ellington tribute to the Freight & Salvage with special guest vocalist Jackie Ryan. This chamber jazz ensemble showcases Jekabson's deep affinity for Duke Ellington and Gil Evans, blending orchestral textures with jazz sensibilities through an unusual instrumentation of trumpet, strings, vibraphone, piano, bass, and drums.

Jekabson, a Bay Area composer, arranger, and trumpet player, has crafted a unique approach to jazz that incorporates classical instruments within a jazz context. His String-tet explores the rich harmonic language of Ellington's compositions while maintaining the swing and sophistication of the originals. The ensemble's approach to Ellington captures both the orchestral grandeur and intimate chamber music qualities that made the Duke's music so distinctive.

Jackie Ryan brings her acclaimed 3.5-octave range and versatile interpretive skills to the Ellington songbook. Born in San Francisco to Mexican and Irish parents who were both professional singers, Ryan has performed at prestigious venues including Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Her experience spans bebop, blues, ballads, and Latin jazz, making her an ideal collaborator for Ellington's diverse repertoire. Ryan has worked with jazz legends like Clark Terry, Toots Thielemans, and Cyrus Chestnut.

The String-tet's instrumentation creates rich orchestral textures that honor Ellington's sophisticated arrangements while allowing for intimate chamber jazz moments. With violin, viola, vibraphone, and traditional rhythm section supporting Jekabson's trumpet and Ryan's vocals, expect to hear familiar Ellington classics reimagined through this unique ensemble approach.

The Freight & Salvage's dedicated seated-listening format and warm acoustics provide an ideal setting for this thoughtful interpretation of one of jazz's greatest composers. The venue's intimate 440-seat room ensures every nuance of the String-tet's orchestral jazz arrangements will be clearly heard.