For me when you mention “14 grand pianos” it immediately conjurs up pictures of a scene in “Anchors Away”, shot at the Hollywood Bowl.  It’s the one where Jose Iturbi conducts dozens of pianists in an intensely spirited rendition (Is there any other kind?) of the Hungarian Rhapsody.  Last night’s performance at the Nuamberg Bandshell had a much more metropolitan air to it, aided no doubt by the program of Ellington tunes as well as the pictures of Bobby Short that decorated the bandstand.

It was the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts that hosted the  unprecedented event featuring the Duke Ellington Big Band and the 14 grand pianos on the Great Mall. Mercedes Ellington, granddaughter of the Duke and the shows producer, performed brilliantly as the show’s MC.  The event also paid personal tribute to Bobby Short, the famous pianist who, 14 years ago on the same date, unveiled the Duke Ellington Statue at Fifth Avenue and 110th Street.