Born out of Tony Kofi (reeds) and Alex Webb (piano)’s shared love of Ellington, The Pocket Ellington manages what ought to be impossible – creating a classic Ellingtonian sound with just four horns and a rhythm section. But with Kofi, Alan Barnes, Andy Davies/Simon Finch and David Lalljee on hand, anything is possible. Veteran bassist Dave Green and powerhouse drummer Winston Clifford provide the swing.
Great numbers from the 1930s and 1940s – Main Stem, Mood Indigo, Rain Check, Cotton Tail, Chelsea Bridge and others - are presented in clever new arrangements which evoke the period but also offer solo space to these top-flight musicians.
The repertoire also includes pieces from artists and arrangers who were influenced by the Duke – Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk and Gil Evans. It’s a big sound from a pocket band.
‘A terrific band with a rhythm section as good as any on the planet’ – Blue Light, magazine of the Duke Ellington Society UK
‘A wonderful night’s live music paying tribute to one of the greats’- Arcana.FM
It's called 'The Pocket Ellington', but there is nothing about this band that is small. A big sound and some really high-quality arrangements wowed the audience’ - Hilaryseabrook.blogspot.com
