The quintessential melting pot, American society and culture have always been greatly impacted and in­fluenced by other cultures from around the world. Jazz music embodies this relationship, as it continues to be influenced by the diversity and traditions of international communities. In 1990 the U.S. Congress, recognizing the importance of jazz in American culture, authorized the establishment of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra (SJMO) as the orchestra–in–residence at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. In 2019, the SJMO will undertake a major tour touching down in ten cities around the world, in a series of concerts exploring the global history and evolution of jazz. For this very special Jazz Standard appearance, the SJMO welcomes special guest Kurt Elling – the GRAMMY Award winner and  DownBeat’s “Male Singer of the Year” for fourteen consecutive years who (in the words of The Washington Post) “has come to embody the creative spirit in jazz.” This one-of-a-kind concert experience will range from historic Duke Ellington charts from the Smithsonian archives to contemporary arrangements from singer Elling’s recent recordings. Charlie Young – conductor & alto saxophone Marty Nau, Lee Lachman – alto saxophone Scott Silbert, Antonio Parker – tenor saxophone Leigh Pilzer – baritone saxophone Chris Walker, Tom Williams, Kenny Rittenhouse, Dave Detwiler – trumpet Matt Niess, Mark Williams, Bill Holmes – trombone Jeff Cortazzo – bass trombone Tony Nalker – piano Marty Ashby – guitar James King – bass Ken Kimery – drums With Special Guest Kurt Elling – voice