Still in Love: NYFOS Celebrates Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn
Online: $1 & up | In person: $750 & up
- Justin Austin, baritone
- Shereen Pimentel, soprano
- Steven Blier, piano
- Jason Yeager, piano
"We're very excited to see you in person — finally! — at our spring gala. And what better way to celebrate our reunion than the exuberant music of Duke Ellington and his brilliant alter ego, Billy Strayhorn? The playlist includes hits like Sophisticated Lady, It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing, and Day Dream, delivered by a starry pair of NYFOS favorites: Justin Austin (who will just have made his Met and Carnegie Hall debuts) and Shereen Pimentel (recently the star of West Side Story on Broadway). Joining me at the keyboard will be the extraordinary jazz pianist Jason Yeager. Take the A train — or just grab a cab — to join me and my co-host, the legendary Denyce Graves, at the Racquet and Tennis Club this spring." — Steven Blier
Attending in person: Attire for the evening is festive cocktail dress. Take inspiration from Ellington and Strayhorn's Sophisticated Lady with some mid-century glamour. Please note that the Racquet and Tennis Club’s dress code requires jackets and ties for all gentlemen guests.
COVID-Protocols: We'll be asking all of our guests to provide proof of vaccination at the welcome table. And in order to further protect our community, we ask that attendees take a rapid test before joining us on the day of the event; test results do not need to be submitted.
Attending online: Access to the virtual gala video throughout the month of June with a minimum $1 donation. All in-person ticket holders will have access to the virtual gala video as well.
About Justin Austin, baritone
Justin Austin debuted at the Metropolitan Opera as Marcellus in Brett Dean's Hamlet, and sang the leading role of Charles Blow in Fire Shut Up In My Bones by Terrance Blanchard at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He is one of the rising stars of his generation.
https://www.justinaustin.org/