After 1972, when you say Duke Ellington, you have to say Duke Ellington Orchestra and Aura Rully. Aura was his singer, and in every Ellingtonconcert, "Mood Indigo" and a lot of well known songs where interpreted by Aura. Duke Ellington used to present Aura, as "Aura from Romania" and he launched her in 1972 in Newport Jazz Festival - Carnegie Hall, where she won applause for 18 minutes and accolades as it follows : Aura's dazzling voice lends pops excitement.

John Kraglund - " There was nothing unexpected in the orchestral portion of last night's Toronto Symphony concert at Ontario Place. This was as it should be with Erich Kunzel on the podium and about 5,000 of his fans in attendance to hear his vigorous interpretations of pops concert standards (or standardized arrangements of non-standards). For those who are not symphony pop fans there was more excitement in much of the music by soprano soloist Aura, whose repertoire ranged from jazz to vocalized arrangements of instrumental classics, plus showtunes and disco numbers. Aura, a 33-year-old Romanian-born singer (daughter of the then concertmaster of the Bucharest Symphony) who now makes her home in Toronto as the wife of drummer Ron Rully, is better known in Europe and the United States than locally. According to report, her vocal range outstrips those of Sarah Vaughn and Cleo Laine -- extending to a B flat above Miss Laine's G above high C. After the sounds emanating from the Forum, last night, I am prepared to believe it. More important, there was admirable musicianship in her use of the voice, which has a clarity and richness that even the Forum loudspeakers could not distort.

The most agreeable evidence of her versatility was provided by a wordless arrangement of the Air from Bach's Suite No. 3, although its contrast between contralto and high soprano ranges was less dazzling than the bob version, also wordless, of Paganini's Caprice No. 24. The brooding intensity of B. Hughes' Special Way (title song of Aura's new record album) made it easy to understand why she had been favored by Duke Ellington as an interpreter of his songs.

Among the other assets of her performances were the full-throated shouting of Styne's People, from Funny Girl, and the Ighner/Wonder Everything Must Change."

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"Aura floats the voice, almost ethereal on perfect pitch" - Downbeat Magazine

"The stunning voice of Aura, whose incredible range is matched by her taste, imagination and tone control." - John Norris, Coda Magazine

"Aura, a voice with clarity, richness and admirable musicianship" - Toronto Star

"Aura, a beautiful, talented singer. Has a voice with incredible range that makes it sound more like a musical instrument, rather than notes coming out of the vocal chords." - John S. Wilson - "Aura made as dramatic and sensational a Carnegie Hall debut as even the fevered mind of an old time Hollywood script writer could imagine… Dancing across the notes way up on the threshold of the limits of hearing, ending with a high note flourish that brought the packed house to its feet and cheering!" - Harry Stathos, New York Times

"Stunning singing!" - Richard Flohil, Canadian Composer

"Aura, an original!" - Star Week

"I have heard Aura sing up to the high B flat, above Cleo Laine's High G" - Henry Pleasants, The Great American Popular Singers

"A phenomenal singer…" - Nat Hentoff, The Grove International Encyclopedia of Jazz

"Aura, a remarkable and beautiful soprano, Outstanding Singing." - The New Yorker

For your interests, about Aura Rully, Aura has one of the most brilliant, expressive and improvisational voices of our time. Her interpretations of the masterful writings of the Jazz classics and original material reflect a new freshness in vocal artistry.

As a singing phenomenon, her career encompasses every possible direction, from Pop to Folklore and from Classical to Jazz, which includes concerts, television shows promotional jingles and recordings.

She has won accolades and prizes such as the prestigious Europe Cup. The European Press Prize and superlative reviews in the New York Times, Downbeat Magazine, Toronto Life and The New Yorker for her concert, records, and television appearances.

Aura has toured with world giants such as Quincy Jones, Duke Ellinton, Thad Jones, and Mel Lewis. Her appearances include such prestigious venues as the Newport Jazz Festival, Village Vanguard, and Carnegie Hall. From Tokyo to Toronto, Sydney to Stockholm, New York to Nice. Aura thrills her audiences who enjoy her within the Jazz Trio setting to The Symphony Orchestra.

So Duke Ellington for 2 years was glued with Aura, then he passed away....

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