The Frank Griffith Nonet - Duke and Billy

Duke and Billy - Songs and Classics for Nonet.

The Frank Griffith Nonet will present a two-hour concert of adapted songs and classic compositions by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.

American saxist and clarinetist, Frank Griffith, has been resident in the UK since 1996 and his Nonet have performed many Ellington and Strayhorn pieces throughout their career, with appearances at London Jazz Festival, Queen Elizabeth Hall, and Cadogan Hall (celebrating the 100th anniversary of Billy Strayhorn's birth).

Frank has also worked with Sir John Dankworth, Dame Cleo Lane, Mel Torme and Lionel Hampton. Now residing in Liverpool, Frank plays frequently for Parr Street Jazz events, and performed at the 2020 Southport Jazz Festival with vocalist Tina May.

The concert will cover a wide span of Ellington and Strayhorn music from 1932 to 1966, including ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing’, ‘Daydream’, ‘Satin Doll’, ‘Take The A Train’, ‘Lush Life and Rhumbop’, as well as instrumental classics, such as ‘Raincheck’, ‘Sophisticated Lady’, ‘It's Glory’, ‘Chelsea Bridge’, ‘I Let A Song Go Out of My Heart’ and ‘C Jam Blues’.