The Duke Ellington Statue Concert 2025 was a lively outdoor tribute to the legendary composer, presented by the Duke Ellington Center for the Arts (DECFA) and in association with the American Tap Dance Foundation (ATDF). Co-hosted by Mercedes Ellington and Tony Waag, with music direction by Eli Yamin, the concert featured the Duke Ellington Center Big Band and special guests including Marion Cowings, Max Pollak, Nicolas King, Karen Callaway Williams, and more. The band included Eli Yamin on piano, Michael Cruse on trumpet, Alvester Garnett on drums, Jennifer Vincent on bass, Alex Jeun on trombone, Jason Curry on alto sax and clarinet, and Jay Brandford on baritone sax—delivering a performance full of energy, elegance, and enduring spirit.