Ellington’s On Again – And LIVE!
We’re back to celebrating the music of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn! And at the Philharmonic in Liverpool – 25 June 2022. Frank Griffith has specially arranged the original big band scores for his Nonet (a 9-piece band), evoking the warmth and drive of the Ellington-Strayhorn sound and yet keeping it agile.
Amongst others, we’ll be performing my favorite: Lush Life. For a rare first-hand experience listen to the composer-lyricist, Billy Strayhorn singing and self-accompanying his poignant tale: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7bGtR_ETJE
“ I doubt if there’s a singer alive today who can interpret the music (of Ellington and Strayhorn) better than Louise Gibbs who poured heart and soul into the lyrics, sometimes updating them and often slotting a scat chorus in” (Lance Liddle, https://lance-bebopspokenhere.blogspot.com/2020/).
Frank Griffith Nonet: Frank Griffith- tenor sax, Rick Halliwell- alto sax, Phil Shotton- baritone sax, Cliff Ray- trumpet, Neil Yates- trumpet, Matt Horner- trombone, Richard Wetherall- Piano, Ed Harrison- bass, Eryl Roberts- drums, with Louise Gibbs – vocals
