Buck Clayton Legacy Band

“The applause reverberated round the pillars for music arranged with such devotion, and played with such virtuosity. It couldn’t fail to put a spring in your step - and send you home to sleep with a smile on your face.” London Jazz News Read the full review

It’s the fortieth year since the death of Duke Ellington, the most iconic figure in American Music. Principally known for his big band compositions and performances, Duke was also a master of small group jazz.

To celebrate this side of his work, the Buck Clayton Legacy Band, led by BBC Jazz Record Requests host Alyn Shipton, directed by star German saxophonist Matthias Seuffert and featuring multi-award winner Alan Barnes, revisits the small band repertoire.

Already hailed for its “exhilarating sound” by Observer critic Dave Gelly, the band presents new arrangements of Ducal small group music including The Jeep Is Jumpin, Take The A Train, Shady Side, Snibor, Broadway Babe, and Hi-Ya.

The band will be playing new charts by band member Alan Barnes and Ellington expert Tony Faulkner, and also spotlighting Ellington’s solo piano works, played by Martin Litton.

Apart from occasional guest appearances together at the Newport Jazz Festival, what has Buck Clayton’s legacy got to do with Duke? It was exactly 80 years in 2014 since Duke was Best Man at Buck’s wedding in Hollywood, cementing a lifelong friendship between Buck and Duke.