In collaboration with trombone player and Duke-specialist Joost Buis, the Ab Baars Trio performs their own arrangements of well known and lesser known Ellington pieces, in which selections like fragments of a melody, solos or themes become the keynote for new compositions and/or improvisations. Ab Baars: ‘For many years I have been listening to the music of Duke Ellington. For me, this music is a source of inspiration because of the apparent simplicity, sophistication and the clearness of Ellingtons compositions. The compositional thinking that you can hear back in the improvisations of Ellington has contributed to my musical developement and has become a part of my musical vision.’

Ab Baars-clarinet, tenor saxophone, Wilbert de Joode-double bass, Martin van Duynhoven-drums, Joost Buis-trombone