King of jazz Duke Ellington composed The Queen’s Suite after being enchanted by a meeting with Queen Elizabeth ll.
He recorded it on vinyl and sent it to Buckingham Palace and it was never played again until now.
The suite will be performed for the first time since by the 16-piece band Echoes Of Ellington, at the Marlborough International Jazz Festival on Friday July 13 to commemorate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Nick Fogg, organiser of the Marlborough jazz festival, said: “If you are a royalist, a big band fan, an Ellingtonian groupie or just someone who likes fantastic music then get down to Marlborough. You will not be disappointed.’’ It was Pete Long, musical director of the Ronnie Scott Orchestras, who organised the transcription of the score at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington.
And it is Pete who leads Echoes of Ellington playing clarinet, sax, flute, piccolo and trumpet himself.
For more details of the festival call 01672 515 095 or visit www.boxoffice@marlboroughjazz.com.
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