News

Below are items we feel will be of especial interest to our Members, and others interested in Duke Ellington, along with an archive of our front page stories. Newer news is towards the top.

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.

Wanted

The London Vintage Jazz Orchestra would be interested in hearing from a double bass player and a good young trumpet man capable of taking lead trumpet. Good readers! Perhaps some music students! Phone Dave Burman on 0208 4453462. Rehearsals are Tuesday nites - Ballards Lane Finchley Central London N12

Martin Litton

Leading UK pianist Martin Litton is putting together a Duke Ellington project featuring singer Val Wiseman, accompanied by Martin with Pete Morgan on bass, Rod Brown on drums, and Trevor Whiting and Mike Piggot on reeds and violin, respectively. Martin is still writing the charts and so far has bookimgs at Epsom Jazz club, Myers Hall, Epsom Playhouse, Monday, July 9th and The Spice of Life, Cambridge Circus in London on the lunchtime of Friday, Sept.. 28th, with any further offers welcome. Anyone who heard Martin play "The Single Petal of a Rose" at the Pizza Express after a DESUK event a year or so ago will not want to miss this.

Ellington's Sacred Music in London 2006

The cover of the Summer 2006 edition of our magazine, Blue Light. Singer and DESUK Member Tina May during a performance of Ellington's sacred music at Cadogan Hall, London, May 2006. Photo: Antony Pepper.

Duke Ellington International Conference 2004

DESUK Members attending the 19th International Study Group Conference in Stockholm, Nalen music hall, May 2004 Photo: Loek Hopstaken & Antony Pepper.