The Pocket Ellington

The Pocket Ellington

The Pocket Ellington is proof that you don’t need a 15-piece orchestra to capture the rich, sophisticated swing of the Duke’s golden era - just the right players and a little musical mischief. Brought together by acclaimed pianist and arranger Alex Webb, this razor-sharp ensemble distills the unmistakable Ellington sound into a lean, seven-piece powerhouse. With jazz heavyweights like Robert Fowler (tenor sax), Alan Barnes (reeds), Andy Davies (trumpet) and David Lalljee (trombone) at the front line, they punch well above their weight, weaving through the Duke’s iconic catalogue with flair and invention. Anchoring the groove are veteran bassist Dave Green, a mainstay of the UK jazz scene since his days with Humphrey Lyttelton, and the dynamic Winston Clifford on drums. And then there’s Marvin Muoneké, “The Young Man with the Old Soul”, whose velvet baritone draws easy comparisons to Nat King Cole and Billy Eckstine, but with a smooth, modern confidence all his own. His rise on the UK jazz circuit has been turning heads, earning him airplay on Jazz FM and praise for bringing the classic male jazz vocal back into the spotlight.

See The Pocket Ellington tour dates