The North West Duke Ellington Orchestra

The North West Duke Ellington Orchestra Celebrates its first anniversary!

The North West Duke Ellington Orchestra was formed in 2024, and now embarks on its second tour, playing at Wigan Jazz Club on Sunday 30th November and at Lowther Pavilion on the afternoon of Sunday 7th December Directed by acclaimed saxophonist and bandleader Phil Shotton, the 15-piece big band brings together Ellington obsessed musicians from across the North West, including Cheshire, Lancashire, Liverpool City Region, and Manchester.

The orchestra is dedicated to celebrating the music of jazz legend Duke Ellington, performing pieces from across his illustrious career-from his early 1920s Cotton Club dance tunes to the dynamic and sophisticated suites of the 1950s.

The ensemble performs music from right across Duke Ellington's career from his 1920 days at Harlem's Cotton Club onwards. These could include Ko-Ko, Main Stem, Harlem Airshaft, Such Sweet Thunder, Never No Lament, Blood Count, The Mooche and Rockin'in Rhythm.

It will be a performance of uplifting, fabulous music, featuring note-for-note transcriptions of historic live performances by The Duke Ellington Orchestra.

The band gives audiences an authentic experience of the timeless brilliance of Ellington and his long-time collaborator, Billy Strayhorn, as they were meant to be heard.

Founded in 2024-a year marking the 125th anniversary of Ellington's birth and the 50th anniversary of his death-the North West Duke Ellington Orchestra has already made a significant impact, performing on World Jazz Day at Liverpool's Capstone Theatre before headlining the Free Stage at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival on Saturday 3rd May.

Highlights from their debut concerts are available on their Facebook page. Dan Stinson, Founder of the North West Duke Ellington Orchestra and saxophone player said: "Duke Ellington's music is fabulous. "