All Ellington

Amsterdam ensemble gives an idiosyncratic twist to the Ellington repertoire.

Since 2012, the Amsterdam improvisation ensemble All Ellington, led by trumpeter Eric Boeren, has been exploring the compositions of Duke Ellington. With their own arrangements and plenty of room for improvisation, the group continually asks themselves: what more can we do with this music? They find the answer in the extensive and still influential oeuvre that Ellington has left behind.

Ellington and his regular composing partner Billy Strayhorn were masters of the medley: seamlessly blending diverse compositions, a technique also heard in cinematic overtures. In recent years, All Ellington has found its own, typically Amsterdam path in this: the setlist, like that of the great example, features much variety and a suite-like structure.

The lineup brings together young musicians and seasoned veterans, who not only play excellently together but also each convince individually. Approaching the sonority of the original Ellington orchestra remains the goal, with enough space for each soloist to find their own way.

Jodi Gilbert vocals, Eric Boeren trumpet, Jimmy Sernesky trumpet, Joost Buis trombone, Maarten Combrink trombone, Mo van der Does alto sax/clarinet, Natalio Sued tenor sax, Peter van Bergen baritone sax/bass clarinet, Wilbert de Joode double bass, Giacomo Camile drums