Chris Coull’s Ellingtonia

Trumpeter and band leader Chris Coull leads his octet full of inspired be-boppers shining in every position. With horns Alex Bondonno (reeds) Jon Brown (trumpet) and Mike Pilley (trombone) to the hard swinging rhythm section of Joe Edwards (drums) Terry Seabrook (piano) and George Trebar on bass, the swash buckling style let’s fly with aplomb. The cherry on the cake is Lucy Pickering on vocals. The “Tribute to the Duke” project has been several years in the making; Chris has faithfully transcribed original 20’s, 30’s and 40’s Ellington gems into a distilled selection of tunes arranged for this four horn front line, to create a fitting musical eulogy to the great man.Expect a chronological, informed and sophisticated journey from Duke’s beginnings at the Cotton Club through to the popular war time hits and collaborations with Billy Strayhorn. The band manages to revel in Ellington’s distinctive harmonic and melodic personality whilst giving freedom of expression to the band’s many and notable jazz soloists.