Farewell, President Humph

Humphrey Lyttelton, 1921-2008.

It was with great sadness that we received the news of the death of our Honorary President, Humphrey Lyttelton.

Humph really was a one-off; a towering figure and without hyperbole, a "National Treasure;" inimitable and irreplaceable.

Click the portrait to go to the official site, where you can leave a message.

Welcome to DESUK

A 78 rpm record lable for Blue Light.
our Signature Tune's original issue
(recorded 1938).

The Duke Ellington Society of the United Kingdom's purpose is to further the study, appreciation and dissemination of the music of Edward Kennedy 'Duke' Ellington and his writing and arranging companion Billy Strayhorn.

We hope that you will find plenty to interest you, and that you may like to subscribe to the Society.

DUKE 2008 & ELLINGTON 2008 !

DUKE 2008 is the Duke Ellington Society's year-long celebration in the UK.

As its main event, DESUK Members organised the 20th Duke Ellington International Conference in London from 22nd to 26th May.

ELLINGTON 2008 spanned four full days (Friday 23rd - Monday 26th May).

The Daytime Programme featured papers, presentations, panels and discussion over three days (Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th May). Ellington alumni and others who knew him participated.

On Spring Bank Holiday Monday 26th May, there was a one-day Ellington Festival featuring the best in UK jazz talent honoring the Duke with their playing and featuring Ellington alumni.

Visit the ELLINGTON 2008 Webpage for more information and to visit the Shop.

What DESUK Does

A substantial quarterly publication Blue Light, is sent to all Members, with Ellington features, reviews and news. For a free sample copy, worldwide, please contact us with your name and address.

Programme of talks and social meetings held in London.

Recitals presented at jazz clubs throughout the UK.

Sponsors of research, performance and education.

Our usual Annual Live Jazz Party gave way this year to Ellington 2008's Festival Day on Bank Holiday Monday 26th May, which took place at the Royal National Hotel, London WC1H 0DG, from 11.30 am to 11.30 pm (you can book online). The DESUK AGM was in the morning (10 to 11 am) in the same venue and was of course free to Members to attend.

Annual membership costs just £20 a year (US$40) - join online now!

Enjoy exploring the site, and if you have any queries please feel free to contact us.

We are proud to have the following Ellingtonian musicians as Honorary Members

Alice Babs	Art Baron
Louie Bellson	Buster Cooper
Herb Jeffries	John Lamb
Vincent Prudente	Msgnr John Sanders
Joya Sherrill	Joe Temperley
Clark Terry

Eminent Members & Associates

David Bradbury	Bjarne Busk Denmark
Digby Fairweather	Tony Faulkner
Michael Garrick	Jools Holland OBE
Julian Joseph	Nigel Kennedy
Steven Lasker USA	John Milner
Alun Morgan Australia	Lord David Steel of Aikwood
William E Timner Canada	Stan Tracey OBE
Mike Westbrook OBE