Echoes of Ellington Orchestra to play at the Apex
The Echoes Of Ellington Orchestra return to the Apex on October 15, with a celebration of The Duke’s Greatest Hits.
In 1914, a young man called Edward Ellington wrote a simple piano piece entitled Soda Fountain Rag. Over the next 60 years, he would compose a canon of work which would have him recognised as the foremost American composer of any genre.
Nicknamed Duke by his school friends because of his regal bearing, Ellington’s music contains a unique blend of contrasts and contradictions. At once visceral and elegant, intimate and shouting, traditional and progressive, the music is unique, exciting, earthy and refined.
Echoes Of Ellington was first formed in 1994 to celebrate the Duke’s music, and to bring it to a modern audience by live performance. Jazz enthusiasts the length and breadth of the nation, and later on in Europe and the United States were amazed by the group’s ability to get inside the scores and really bring out the Ellington flavour.
Today, the orchestra is in its finest incarnation yet, with highly specialised virtuoso players on all the instruments, who understand intimately the nuances put on the page by the Duke. This concert will focus on the great hits – expect to hear ‘Take The A Train’, ‘Satin Doll’, ‘Mood Indigo’, ‘Caravan’, ‘Don’t Get Around Much Anymore’, ‘Sophisticated Lady’, and all your other Ellington favourites!
The show is conducted and presented by clarinettist Peter Long, who, over the years, has built up a reputation as an outstanding big band front-man. As well as keeping you entertained with the music, he will ensure that you will leave the show with a little more background information, heightening the experience of hearing the music by understanding more about the song.
Echoes of Ellington play The Apex on Sunday, October 15, at 3pm. Tickets are £18.50, with £5 tickets for those aged under 25. Ring the Box Office on 01284 758000, or visit www.theapex.co.uk for more information, or to book your tickets.