“You can say anything you want on the trombone, but you gotta be careful with words”, Duke Ellington was quoted in an interview with The New Yorker in 1944. Duke found a way to criticise the poignant racism in America through his music where improvisation (in the most positive sense of the word) played an essential part. In this tradition All Ellington continues.The band is characterised by a mix of a warm ensemble sound and solos full of adventure. This time, All Ellington brings something extra: three trombones!

That addition led to fresh new compositions and arrangements by Duke Ellington. The emphasis is not so much on copying or re-arranging well-known and lesser-known compositions as on finding an answer to the question “What can we still do with this music?”. The Duke Ellington Orchestra, and in American jazz in general, has set the bar very high for music in which improvisation is essential. But musicians in Amsterdam also know a thing or two about improvisation.

All Ellington combines attention to detail in ensemble playing with individual contributions of a high level. The group is a mix of young, well-trained players and seasoned improvising musicians. They know what a melody is all about.

Jodi Gilbert vocals, Jimmy Sernesky trumpet, Eric Boeren cornet, Maarten Combrink, Gregor Sperzel, Joost Buis trombone, Mo van der Does alto sax/clarinet, Natalio Sued tenor sax, Giuseppe Doronzo baritone sax, Oscar Jan Hoogland piano, Wilbert de Joode double bass, Giacomo Camiletti drums