In Performance

Hear the Ellington sound live!

The following bands are known to DESUK to feature a good amount of Ellingtonia in their live performances.

The New Delta Big Band

Previously known as the Mike Daniels Big Band, this group plays every 1st and 3rd Thursday (and, where appropriate, the 5th Thursday) each month at the Lord Napier, 111, Beulah Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey, CR7 8JG. Admission Free. A collection is taken and bar prices are modest.

The band was formed in 1963 by Mike Daniels and has been playing regularly ever since. The repertoire contains many Ellington numbers including:-

East St Louis Toodle-Oo, Hop Head, Black And Tan Fantasy, The Mooche, Black Beauty, Jungle Jamboree, Jungle Nights In Harlem, Rockin' In Rhythm, Ring Dem Bells, Showboat Shuffle, Take the 'A' Train, Chelsea Bridge, What Am I Here For?, I've Got It Bad... and Satin Doll.

The Strayhorn Project

Quartet based in London playing Strayhorn.

E-mail: Stu Butterfield - dsbutterfield@tiscali.co.uk

Tel: 020 8883 2953

London Vintage Jazz Orchestra

This band features works from big bands of the Classic period.

Email: Dave Burman - davidburman@onetel.com

Tel: 020 8445 3462

Kinda Dukish

A rehearsal big band playing original transcriptions from the Cotton Club era up to the 70s. Based in Birmingham.

Email: Mike Fletcher - mike@efletcher.fsworld.co.uk

Tel: 0121 444 4129

Ellingtonia

Eight/nine-piece ensemble based in the South-West of England and dedicated to the music of Duke Ellington. Bios, sound clips, gig list, etc.

E-mail: Ian Wellens - ian@ellingtonia.co.uk

Tel: 01626 835680

The Vo-De-O-Do Orchestra

Twenties-style superb traditional dance band.

Ellington numbers in the book include:- The Mooche, Creole Love Call, Echoes of the Jungle, Harlem Speaks, In a Sentimental Mood, Solitude, Cotton Club Stomp (both the numbers recorded under this title!), Wall St. Wail, Jubilee Stomp, Goin' Nuts, Rent Party Blues, It Don't Mean a Thing, Way Low, Misty Morning, Stevedore Stomp, Drop Me Off In Harlem and Stompy Jones.

E-mail: David Jones - djones@vodeodo.demon.co.uk

Tel: 01344 624127

The Big Chris Barber Band

Jazz trombonist and jazz polymath Chris Barber's present outfit, almost constantly on tour. History, photos, news of new projects, gig list, etc.

Who Else For Jazz?

Quartet led by veteran clarinettist (and stalwart of the DESUK Committee!) Derek Else. Plays many Ellington and Strayhorn numbers.

E-mail: Derek Else - derekelse@aol.com

Tel: 020 8270 1061

Echoes of Ellington

Big band led in London.

E-mail: Pete Long - plong@deluxe920.f9.co.uk

Harlem

Founded in 1981 for the creative interpretation of the big band sounds of the 1920s and 30s, Harlem regularly features in festivals, clubs, dancehalls and theatres throughout Europe.

E-mail: Paul Munnery - paul@harlemjazz.co.uk

Tel: 01594 516834

Harmony in Harlem

This Cambridge-based jazz orchestra specialises in the music of Duke Ellington from the mid-1930s through to the late 1940s.

E-mail: Michael Kilpatrick - michael@ellington-music.co.uk