The sax section of the Echoes of Ellington Band Front to back: Alex Garnett, Paul Nathanael, Colin Skinner, Pete Ripper, Jay Craig

Peter Vacher writes:

After a significant lull, Pete Long’s Echoes of Ellington big band is set to roll once again. With trumpet newcomers like the iron-lipped Ryan Quigley and high-note specialist Louis Dowdeswell, plus trombone soloist Callum Au now on board, alongside such holdovers as Long himself on clarinet, trombonist Chris Traves, trumpeter Rico Tomasso, drummer Richard Pite and baritone star Jay Craig, the band is super-fit and rarin’ to go. A successful recording session was completed this week at London’s Angel studios, and Long is already lining up concert engagements. His concern for Ducal authenticity is well-known, as anyone who heard the earlier editions of Echoes can attest. He’s determined to make this re-launch work; his track record suggests that he will.