This year's NEA Jazz Masters Concert, the cornerstone event in the fourth annual Duke Ellington Jazz Festival, wasn't as ambitious, compelling or memorable as some previous editions. But Saturday night's performance at the Lincoln Theatre was certainly entertaining, awash in thoroughly Ellingtonian sounds, from the opening rendition of "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," delightfully arranged for three upright basses, to the closing, hit-driven performance by the jazz legend's namesake orchestra. Setting the mood was the D.C. Bass Choir, with ... (more)