Sacredness

Duke Ellington’s impression on American music is lasting, from “‘A’ Train” to “Sophisticated Lady.” Lesser known are his Sacred Concerts. Performed between 1965 and 1973 in large cathedrals and churches in San Francisco and New York City, Ellington merged jazz and religion. Setting his own words to music, each of the iterations evolved from the previous. Now seen as nondenominational and universal, they were first received as controversial — to some inappropriate, to others retrograde. The monumental project at The Soraya is led by pianist Gerald Clayton, directing a big band and gospel choir.