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Saturday, 18 March, 2023 - 19:30

Duke Ellington's wonderful sacred music with full jazz band and choir! Featuring The All Stars Jazz Band, soprano Joanna Forbes L'Estrange and tap dancer, Annette Walker.

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Jazz

It’s not often you get to hear Duke Ellington in Guildford! Join us for his Sacred Concert – a selection of pieces for jazz band and choir. These fantastic pieces ooze Ellington from start to finish and are, in his own words, ‘the most important thing I have ever done’.

An eclectic and ever-changing set of songs, some of which were composed right at the end of Ellington’s life, the Sacred Concert music remains fresh and vibrant, with great lines for the soprano soloist and the wonderful jazz vibes we expect from Ellington’s work.

One of the most famous jazz musicians in the world, Duke Ellington wrote and collaborated on more than 1000 pieces of music in his lifetime. His inventive use of jazz bands and orchestras helped him to build a reputation as a highly significant and creative composer.

 

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The logo for Guildford Jazz

 

We're delighted to be joined by a specially-selected group of the UK's leading jazz musicians, put together for this concert by Guildford Jazz

  Saxes: Alan Barnes, Colin Skinner, Robert Fowler, Karen Sharp
  Trumpets: Steve Waterman, Freddie Gavita
  Trombones: Ian Bateman, Paul Sykes
  Rhythm: Rob Barron (piano), Marianne Windham (bass), Clark Tracey (drums)

 

Alongside this wonderful set of pieces, we’ll also be performing Bob Chilcott’s highly popular A Little Jazz Mass and Guildford-based composer Will Todd’s Songs of Peace, all accompanied by our specially-created jazz band.

We are equally excited to be welcoming internationally-renowned soprano - with local Guildford roots - Joanna Forbes L'Estrange, and tap dancer Annette Williams, who danced this piece in a Proms performance.

Ticket cost is: £29.00, £24.00. Students and under 18s: £10. This concert has no transaction fees.

Book tickets here

Programme
Duke Ellington: Sacred Concert
Bob Chilcott: A Little Jazz Mass
Will Todd: Songs of Peace

 

Performers

Vivace Chorus conducted by Jeremy Backhousefeaturing the All Stars Jazz Band, Joanna Forbes L'Estrange and Annette Walker.