Classing Up Duke

Grammy-nominated Turtle Island Quartet pays homage to Duke Ellington tonight in The Divine Duke at Tri-C's Metro campus, where the foursome shares the stage with vibraphonist virtuoso Stefon Harris. The string ensemble is no stranger to tributes: Last year, it released its latest CD, A Love Supreme: The Legacy of John Coltrane, in honor of the jazz legend. The quartet masterfully covered the saxman's signature pieces, like "Moment's Notice" and the four-part title track, and now the disc is up for a Grammy in the Best Classical Crossover Album category. But don't think of these dudes as classical geniuses. "We're not classical players interpreting Coltrane's music. We're all jazz musicians who have spent years listening to and transcribing his solos," says David Balakrishnan, the group's violinist. "We're trying to play this in a way that we're breathing his breath." Inhale the vibes at 8 tonight at Cuyahoga Community College's Metro Campus, 2900 Community College Avenue. Tickets are $30. Call 800-766-6048 or visit www.tricpresents.com.
Fri., Feb. 8, 8 p.m., 2008