Welcome to DESUK
The Duke Ellington Society UK’s purpose is to further the study, appreciation and dissemination of the music of Edward Kennedy ‘Duke’ Ellington.
We meet regularly in London to listen and socialise, and new arrivals are always welcome.
Our house publication Blue Light is released quarterly. The content is wide ranging and we are fortunate to have amongst our members jazz authors, journalists and critics, and equally fortunate to have many enthusiastic members who, because of their own deep interest, have become expert in particular niches of Ellingtonia.
AGM 2024 - New Date!
Our AGM is taking place on Saturday the 1st of June in central London.
We’re very excited for this opportunity for the membership to meet in person,
and ideally get a few new faces on the Committee and helping to contribute to
Blue Light and the society’s other activities such as our YouTube show Uptown
Lockdown.
We will get underway at 1pm at the Model Railway Club, Keen House, 4 Calshot St,
London N1 9DA. This is a short walk from King’s Cross station.
Please come along and get involved! If you’d like to join the Committee or
otherwise make a contribution, and you’re not able to attend, please get in
touch with us anyway. We’ll sort something out. Our Committee meetings take
place via Zoom these days so proximity to London (or indeed proximity to Great
Britain) is not required!
If you’re planning on attending, it helps to let us know. You can send us an
email at desuk@dukeellington.org.uk
or sign up at the Facebook
event.
DESUK TV: Uptown Lockdown
Episodes are available on YouTube.
For more details on how to view and participate, or to make a donation to support the show, are on the Uptown Lockdown page.
Chat to us
We’re chatting online using Discord - join us at https://discord.gg/efQNUMa.
Non-society events
Got a gig coming up with an Ellington element? Pop us an email and we can publicise via our website.
Many of our members are musicians who perform Ellington material:
* Frank Griffith: saxophonist, clarinettist, composer and educator. Find out more at www.frankgriffith.co.uk.
* Quentin Bryar plays for the Louisiana Rhythm Kings. See louisianarhythmkings.co.uk.
New: North West Duke Ellington Orchestra
The first gig by a new big band playing only Ellington/Strayhorn.
25th March at 8pm. /
Christ The King Parish Centre /
Score Lane, Liverpool L16 6AW /
Free Entry.
Frank Griffith Upcoming Gigs
Please check www.frankgriffith.co.uk in case these details change.
Date/Time: 3 March, 3-5PM
Venue: Hightown Pub and Kitchen, Alt Road, Hightown, Liverpool, L38 0BA
Featuring: Frank Griffith Trio
Info: 0151 929 2492
Admission: Free
Date/Time: 5 March, 9.30PM
Venue: Frederiks Bar, 32 Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BX
Featuring: Frank Griffith Nonet
Info: www.frederikshopestreet.com
Admission: Free
Date/Time: 1 April, 4PM
Venue: Nantwich Festival. Crown Hotel, Nantwich High Street, CW5 SAS
Featuring: Frank Griffith Trio with Richard Wetherall piano, Johnny Mac, bass
Info: www.nantwichjazz.com
Admission: Free
Date/Time: 12 April, 7.30PM
Venue: The Gallery. 455 Smithdown Road, L15 3JL
Featuring: Frank Griffith and Poetrio. Mike Hughes, drums, Ben Parkinson, Keys. Jazz amongst the Poets
Info: www.smithdownsocial.co.uk
Admission: Free
Date/Time: 26 April, 7.30PM
Venue: The Gallery. 455 Smithdown Road, L15 3JL
Featuring: Frank Griffith and Poetrio. Mike Hughes, drums, Ben Parkinson, Keys. Jazz amongst the Poets
Info: www.smithdownsocial.co.uk
Admission: Free
Date/Time: 10 May, 7.30PM
Venue: The Gallery. 455 Smithdown Road, L15 3JL
Featuring: Frank Griffith and Poetrio. Mike Hughes, drums, Ben Parkinson, Keys. Jazz amongst the Poets
Info: www.smithdownsocial.co.uk
Admission: Free
Date/Time: 12 May, 3-5PM
Venue: Hightown Pub and Kitchen, Alt Road, Hightown, Liverpool, L38 0BA
Featuring: Frank Griffith Trio
Info: 0151 929 2492
Admission: Free
Date/Time: 7 July, 3-5PM
Venue: Hightown Pub and Kitchen, Alt Road, Hightown, Liverpool, L38 0BA
Featuring: Frank Griffith Trio
Info: 0151 929 2492
Admission: Free
Date/Time: 13 July, 8PM
Venue: Zeffirelli’s. Compston Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9AD
Featuring: Frank Griffith Trio with Mike Hughes- vibraphone, Tom Sykes piano
Info: www.zeffirellis.com, 01539 433845
Admission: £4
Date/Time: 27 October, 3-5PM
Venue: Hightown Pub and Kitchen, Alt Road, Hightown, Liverpool, L38 0BA
Featuring: Frank Griffith Trio
Info: 0151 929 2492
Admission: Free
Date/Time: 1 September, 3-5PM
Venue: Hightown Pub and Kitchen, Alt Road, Hightown, Liverpool, L38 0BA
Featuring: Frank Griffith Trio
Info: 0151 929 2492
Admission: Free
Date/Time: 5 November, 8PM
Venue: Morley Green Club. Mobberly Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 SNT
Featuring: Frank Griffith Nonet
Info: 01625 525224
Admission: Free
Date/Time: 22 December, 3-5PM
Venue: Hightown Pub and Kitchen, Alt Road, Hightown, Liverpool, L38 0BA
Featuring: Frank Griffith Trio
Info: 0151 929 2492
Admission: Free
Harmony In Harlem
Three concerts to look forward to!
* Cambridge Saturday 23rd March
* Ely Sat 15th June 2024
* Harlow Sun 13th October 2024
More details on the website: https://www.harmonyinharlem.co.uk/
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