tag:bighouse.band,2005:/blogs/ellington-in-the-making?p=2Ellington in the making2021-11-07T17:00:00+00:00Big Housefalsetag:bighouse.band,2005:Post/68010492021-11-07T17:00:00+00:002023-10-16T16:01:00+01:00Ellington - back by popular demand<p>The Duke was back in town on November 6th for another show at The Norfolk Arms Hotel</p>
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<p>The entire cast simultaneously search for a missing contact lens...</p>Big Housetag:bighouse.band,2005:Post/67307322021-08-30T09:47:23+01:002021-08-30T09:55:41+01:00Epilogue<p>Well that was a LOT of fun, was it not! Many thanks to everyone who came along over the 4 nights, a brilliant reaction every time. Many thanks to the band, the narrators and the support team. Everyone played their part with inspiration and professionalism, the sum of the parts even greater than the whole! We recorded all the shows and we're hoping to produce a download or CD of the music selected from those recordings - you can pre-order above. We're looking at touring the show next, so watch out for Ellington!</p>
<p>Here's a clip of the encore from Tuesday at South Stoke Barn...</p>
<p><a contents="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=416550829825910" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=416550829825910" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=416550829825910</a></p>Big Housetag:bighouse.band,2005:Post/67250642021-08-24T00:32:10+01:002022-01-13T11:38:23+00:00The final rehearsal...<p>It's been 3 months in the making, a lot of work and a lot of fun. Last night was the final rehearsal, all running super smooth. We're ready for show time. Bring it on!</p>
<p>Great work everyone, can't thank you enough :-)</p>
<p>Mike Carey - Piano / MD<br>Stephen Cass - Drums / Vocals<br>Mike Comber - Double bass / Guitar<br>David Hepworth - Trumpet / Flugel<br>Paul Hodgson - Tenor Sax / Flute<br>Don Manson - Trombone<br>Clare Carey - Accordion<br>David Chalk - Irving Mills<br>Tracy Murphie - Ruth Ellington / Vocals<br>Rosie Hewitt - Creative / PR<br>Ciara Marshall - Film / Photography<br>James Shears - Sound</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/445202/61a6db551ec30ee434a452021f2be6bf54c73cfd/original/20210823-211416s.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>
<p> </p>Big Housetag:bighouse.band,2005:Post/67235042021-08-21T23:12:07+01:002022-03-16T09:31:11+00:00E Day is approaching<p>We're very excited, fully rehearsed and can't wait for the first performance this Tuesday at South Stoke Barn.</p>
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<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="GniUBZCIQsI" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/GniUBZCIQsI/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GniUBZCIQsI?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="640" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>Big Housetag:bighouse.band,2005:Post/67170572021-08-14T15:34:40+01:002021-08-14T15:36:20+01:00Irving Mills checks in...<p>Duke Ellington's manager between 1926 and 1939, a pivotal figure in bringing the music of Ellington to the world and establishing him as America's foremost composer of the twentieth century. One of the two narrators in the Ellington production, Mills is played by David Chalk who over the course of rehearsals has become so convincing we're no longer sure whether he is Mills or Chalk!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/445202/4666d7c269d9310240b8106d4000dd181a64ce93/original/irving.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>
<p> </p>Big Housetag:bighouse.band,2005:Post/66981712021-07-26T09:20:13+01:002021-07-26T09:20:13+01:00Satin Doll<p>The show features re-interpretations of some of Ellington's best known compositions. Here's a clip from rehearsals of Satin Doll re-interpreted as a ballad.</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="E6zzwOAYkO4" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/E6zzwOAYkO4/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E6zzwOAYkO4?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Big Housetag:bighouse.band,2005:Post/66916172021-07-19T08:22:55+01:002022-03-16T09:31:32+00:00Ruth Ellington<p>One of the narrators, Ruth Ellington (in character), enjoying a cup of tea during rehearsals. Ruth was Duke's sister and she'll be giving a reflective narrative, giving us some insight into how Duke saw things as they unfolded.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/445202/20bdacb7c38f454a5fe7d992b1a8b453bf30e557/original/ruth.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>Big Housetag:bighouse.band,2005:Post/66913112021-07-18T10:52:36+01:002021-08-28T01:43:40+01:00Ticket sales bubbling at the Farmers Market<p>Sales and marketing manager, Clare, busy promoting Ellington at Arundel Farmers Market. Note she has a ready supply of Smock Alley English Sparkling Wine to hand in order to help her through the day :-)</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/445202/adb643dba57d22287413f7a08d4817bcdf4606fe/original/farmers-market.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>Big Housetag:bighouse.band,2005:Post/66874772021-07-14T13:47:29+01:002022-02-07T11:02:00+00:00Things Ain't What They Used To Be<p>Here's a tantalising clip from a rehearsal session. This is the end of "Things Ain't What They Used To Be", dropping in on the end of the bass solo and leading out with the final head. Trombonist missing in action and it was before we had the tea and pastry break, so not bad under the circumstances!</p>
<p><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="8pwNBycgfV8" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/8pwNBycgfV8/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8pwNBycgfV8?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="180" width="320" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>Big Housetag:bighouse.band,2005:Post/66863502021-07-13T12:19:13+01:002021-08-27T08:35:01+01:00Research material<p>Some of the books I'm using to research the narrative for the show. Spot the rogue title :-)</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/445202/89e8952f766f2af7f8262d7c00e3c5ac3d4d0f63/original/research-small.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_left border_" /></p>Big Housetag:bighouse.band,2005:Post/66812882021-07-07T17:33:37+01:002021-07-08T09:13:17+01:00Let the fun begin!<p>The team is assembled, the arrangements are written and rehearsals are underway. We're all very excited about the Ellington project and this blog will follow our journey in the preparations heading towards opening night on 24th August!</p>Big House