Welcome to DESUK

The Duke Ellington Society UK’s purpose is to further the study, appreciation and dissemination of the music of Edward Kennedy ‘Duke’ Ellington.

We meet regularly in London to listen and socialise, and new arrivals are always welcome.

Our house publication Blue Light is released quarterly. The content is wide ranging and we are fortunate to have amongst our members jazz authors, journalists and critics, and equally fortunate to have many enthusiastic members who, because of their own deep interest, have become expert in particular niches of Ellingtonia.

AGM 2024 - New Date!

We’re planning on having an Annual General Meeting on Saturday the 1st of June, at the Model Railway Club in central London. Please note the new date. More details closer to the time. Please come along and get involved if you can - it’s fun, honest! If you want to be involved, or join the committee, but can’t attend, please get in touch with us anyway. We’ll sort something out.

DESUK TV: Uptown Lockdown

Episodes are available on YouTube.

For more details on how to view and participate, or to make a donation to support the show, are on the Uptown Lockdown page.

Chat to us

We’re chatting online using Discord - join us at https://discord.gg/efQNUMa.

Non-society events

Got a gig coming up with an Ellington element? Pop us an email and we can publicise via our website.

Many of our members are musicians who perform Ellington material: * Frank Griffith: saxophonist, clarinettist, composer and educator. Find out more at www.frankgriffith.co.uk. * Quentin Bryar plays for the Louisiana Rhythm Kings. See louisianarhythmkings.co.uk.

New: North West Duke Ellington Orchestra

The first gig by a new big band playing only Ellington/Strayhorn. 25th March at 8pm. / Christ The King Parish Centre / Score Lane, Liverpool L16 6AW / Free Entry.

Frank Griffith Upcoming Gigs

Please check www.frankgriffith.co.uk in case these details change.

Date/Time: 3 March, 3-5PM Venue: Hightown Pub and Kitchen, Alt Road, Hightown, Liverpool, L38 0BA Featuring: Frank Griffith Trio Info: 0151 929 2492 Admission: Free

Date/Time: 5 March, 9.30PM Venue: Frederiks Bar, 32 Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BX Featuring: Frank Griffith Nonet Info: www.frederikshopestreet.com Admission: Free

Date/Time: 1 April, 4PM Venue: Nantwich Festival. Crown Hotel, Nantwich High Street, CW5 SAS Featuring: Frank Griffith Trio with Richard Wetherall piano, Johnny Mac, bass Info: www.nantwichjazz.com Admission: Free

Date/Time: 12 April, 7.30PM Venue: The Gallery. 455 Smithdown Road, L15 3JL Featuring: Frank Griffith and Poetrio. Mike Hughes, drums, Ben Parkinson, Keys. Jazz amongst the Poets Info: www.smithdownsocial.co.uk Admission: Free

Date/Time: 26 April, 7.30PM Venue: The Gallery. 455 Smithdown Road, L15 3JL Featuring: Frank Griffith and Poetrio. Mike Hughes, drums, Ben Parkinson, Keys. Jazz amongst the Poets Info: www.smithdownsocial.co.uk Admission: Free

Date/Time: 10 May, 7.30PM Venue: The Gallery. 455 Smithdown Road, L15 3JL Featuring: Frank Griffith and Poetrio. Mike Hughes, drums, Ben Parkinson, Keys. Jazz amongst the Poets Info: www.smithdownsocial.co.uk Admission: Free

Date/Time: 12 May, 3-5PM Venue: Hightown Pub and Kitchen, Alt Road, Hightown, Liverpool, L38 0BA Featuring: Frank Griffith Trio Info: 0151 929 2492 Admission: Free

Date/Time: 7 July, 3-5PM Venue: Hightown Pub and Kitchen, Alt Road, Hightown, Liverpool, L38 0BA Featuring: Frank Griffith Trio Info: 0151 929 2492 Admission: Free

Date/Time: 13 July, 8PM Venue: Zeffirelli’s. Compston Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9AD Featuring: Frank Griffith Trio with Mike Hughes- vibraphone, Tom Sykes piano Info: www.zeffirellis.com, 01539 433845 Admission: £4

Date/Time: 27 October, 3-5PM Venue: Hightown Pub and Kitchen, Alt Road, Hightown, Liverpool, L38 0BA Featuring: Frank Griffith Trio Info: 0151 929 2492 Admission: Free

Date/Time: 1 September, 3-5PM Venue: Hightown Pub and Kitchen, Alt Road, Hightown, Liverpool, L38 0BA Featuring: Frank Griffith Trio Info: 0151 929 2492 Admission: Free

Date/Time: 5 November, 8PM Venue: Morley Green Club. Mobberly Road, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 SNT Featuring: Frank Griffith Nonet Info: 01625 525224 Admission: Free

Date/Time: 22 December, 3-5PM Venue: Hightown Pub and Kitchen, Alt Road, Hightown, Liverpool, L38 0BA Featuring: Frank Griffith Trio Info: 0151 929 2492 Admission: Free

Harmony In Harlem

Three concerts to look forward to! * Cambridge Saturday 23rd March * Ely Sat 15th June 2024 * Harlow Sun 13th October 2024

More details on the website: https://www.harmonyinharlem.co.uk/

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