The Way Out West Collective presents: The Age of Ellington (Parts 1 and 2) featuring compositions by the Duke as well as those he influenced including Billy Strayhorn, Monk, Mingus, Westbrook and new works by members of Way Out West.

Since his first composition in 1918, Duke Ellington’s influence on jazz, and particularly on writing for his ‘instrument’, the jazz orchestra, has been one of the constants in the development of the music.

Successive generations have been inspired by his writing, including Billy Strayhorn, Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk and Mike Westbrook, and our EFG/LJF concerts include music by these writers, and new compositions from members of Way Out West.

Uniquely amongst contemporary UK Jazz Collectives, Way Out West emphasizes a multi-generational approach, with membership ranging over eight decades, including bebop great Tony Kinsey, Parliamentary Jazz Award winner Kate Williams, and rising star Tom Millar.

Way Out West staged more than 700 concerts from 2004 to 2020. The Riverhouse Barn is a lovely venue with excellent acoustics, a relaxed atmosphere and an outstanding piano. Today’s pair of concerts marks our return to active promotion in a celebration of the greatest influencer in jazz composition, Duke Ellington.

Tim Whitehead and Tony Woods – saxes

Nette Robinson – voice

Tom Millar – piano

Dave Jones – bass

Gary Willcox – drums