Pocket Ellington

Alan Barnes (alto sax / clarinet)

Tony Kofi (tenor sax)

David Lalljee (trombone)

Simon Finch (trumpet)

Dave Green (bass)

Alfonso Vitale (drums)

Alex Webb (piano / MD)

The Pocket Ellington featuring Tony Kofi & Alan Barnes

Born out of Tony Kofi (tenor) and Alex Webb (piano)’s shared love of Ellington, The Pocket Ellington manages what ought to be impossible – creating a classic Ellingtonian sound with just four horns and a rhythm section. Alan Barnes (reeds), Simon Finch (trumpet) and David Lalljee (trombone) fill out the horn section, with veteran bassist Dave Green and powerhouse drummer Alfonso Vitale providing the swing.

‘A wonderful night’s live music paying tribute to one of the greats’ ArcanaFM

‘It's called 'The Pocket Ellington', but there is nothing about this band that is small. A big sound and some really high-quality arrangements wowed the audience’ - Hilaryseabrook.blogspot.com

Great charts from the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s – Main Stem, Rain Check, Cotton Tail, Chelsea Bridge, Such Sweet Thunder and others - are presented in clever new arrangements which evoke the period but also offer solo space to these top-flight musicians.

The repertoire also includes pieces from artists and arrangers who were influenced by the Duke – Charles Mingus, Thelonious Monk and Gil Evans. It’s a big sound from a pocket band.

Miles Davis is supposed to have said, ‘at least one day out of the year all musicians should just put their instruments down, and give thanks to Duke Ellington.’ The Pocket Ellington does just that.