Exciting news of a mini- festival this coming October celebrating Duke Ellington and his Orchestra's appearance at The Congress Theatre, Eastbourne half a century ago.
"The future. Tonight. Eastbourne."
Here is the Press release:
Ellington in Eastbourne
A Festival of World-Class Jazz, Local Voices, and Musical Heritage—Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Duke Ellington’s Iconic "Eastbourne Performance”
Join us for Ellington in Eastbourne, a vibrant celebration marking the 50th anniversary of Eastbourne Performance—Duke Ellington’s legendary final album, recorded live at the iconic Congress Theatre during his last European tour. On Sunday 12 October 2025, the Congress Theatre will come alive with a dynamic, community-driven programme of performances and events. Featuring some of the UK’s top jazz talent alongside local, regional, and national collaborators, this one-off event celebrates a landmark moment in music history, shines a spotlight on Ellington’s enduring creative legacy, and commemorates Eastbourne’s special connection to one of the giants of 20th Century music.
Line-up:
Echoes of Ellington: Duke and Ella
The UK’s premier Ellington Big Band play music from the landmark albums, Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Duke Ellington Songbook and Ella and Duke at the Côte D'Azur.
This 16-piece big band features sensational vocalist Sara Oschlag, and is packed full of acclaimed instrumentalists, under the leadership of Pete Long, musical director of the Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra.
“Pete Long’s Echoes of Ellington orchestra creates results that are amazingly truthful to the original Duke Ellington Orchestra” – Ronnie Scott’s Club
Arnie Somogyi and Mark Edwards: The Ellington Piano Project - Album Launch.
A special project researched and developed by two of the UK’s top jazz musicians - bassist Arnie Somogyi and pianist Mark Edwards – The Ellington Piano Project is centred around the last piano on which Ellington recorded. It draws on harmonies and improvised phrases heard on his final album, Eastbourne Performance, as inspiration for new compositions and spontaneous improvisations, alongside reimaginings of Ellington classics.
The band features New York-based rising tenor star Gideon Tazelaar, trumpeter Chris Coull and drummer Matthew Holmes.
“Musical reimaginings these days so often mask the material they seek to champion. This album, however, does precisely the opposite, offering us a new view on a legend mapped a million different times already. In this its significance is as noteworthy as its brilliance.”
– Simon Spillett, award-winning saxophonist and author.
The Brighton & Hove Youth Big Big Band Play Ellington
The jazz stars of the future perform a set of Ellington classics. Presented by Create Music
The evening concert will be preceded by an Ellington-themed, free-to-attend performance, in the Congress Theatre foyer, presented by New Generation Jazz Futures Youth Ensembles. Engaging the next generation of young players is at the heart of New Generation Jazz’s mission.
In the weeks before the festival, the Congress Theatre foyer will feature an exhibition curated by Dr. Pedro Cravinho, archivist at the Duke Ellington Society UK, highlighting memories of the original concert at the Congress Theatre and its importance in Duke Ellington’s final European tour.
Tickets and further details here.
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