Thursday 13 March 2025
7.30pm
Milton Court Theatre
Guildhall Jazz Orchestra: Dankworth Seven
Alec Dankworth director
Digital Programmes
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Milton Court
Please make sure that digital devices & mobile phones are silenced during the performance.
Eating is not permitted in the auditorium.
Drinks are allowed inside the auditorium in polycarbonates.
Filming or recording of the performance is not permitted.
Latecomers will be able to enter the auditorium at a suitable break in the performance.
Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Founded in 1880 by the City of London Corporation
Chair of the Board of Governors
The Hon. Emily Benn
Principal
Professor Jonathan Vaughan
Vice-Principal & Director of Music
Armin Zanner
Please visit our website at gsmd.ac.uk
Welcome
Immerse yourself in a golden era of UK jazz as the nucleus of the Guildhall Jazz Orchestra brings the vibrant spirit of the legendary Dankworth Seven to life in an intimate performance at Milton Court Theatre. Under the expert direction of Guildhall School professor Alec Dankworth – himself the son of the iconic jazz figure Sir John Dankworth – the ensemble pays tribute to the original group that took the 1950s jazz scene by storm.
Formed in 1950 by John Dankworth, the Dankworth Seven showcased his distinctive compositions and featured an impressive lineup of emerging talents, including Jimmy Deuchar (trumpet), Eddie Harvey (trombone), Don Rendell (tenor sax), Bill Le Sage (piano), Eric Dawson (bass) and Tony Kinsey (drums), with Frank Holder adding his signature vocal and percussion skills. This performance captures the spirit and innovation of a timeless era, celebrating the music that defined a generation.
Programme
All works arranged by John Dankworth unless otherwise noted:
I Hear Music
Burton Lane, Frank Loesser
Leon Bismark
John Dankworth
Lover Man
Jimmy Davis, James Sherman, Ram Ramirez
Deed I Do
Fred Rose, Walter Hirsch
The Slider
Fred Wise, George Temple, Boyd Raeburn
Jeru
Gerry Mulligan
Too Marvellous for Words
Richard Whiting, Johnny Mercer
INTERVAL (20 minutes)
Move
Denzil Best
Easy Living
Leo Robin, Ralph Rainger
Perhaps
Charlie Parker
I'll String Along With You
Harry Warren, Al Dubin (arr. Harvey)
Marmaduke
Charlie Parker
Mood Indigo
Duke Ellington, Barney Bigard, Irving Mills
Caravan
Juan Tizol, Duke Ellington (arr. Harvey)
Guildhall Jazz Orchestra
Voice
Easy Living & Perhaps:
Amena Elabd (soprano)
Deed I Do & Lover Man:
Evie Hill (alto)
Too Marvelous for Words & Jeru:
James Walker (tenor)
Caravan & Mood Indigo:
Alastair Eddie (tenor)
Alto Saxophone and Flute
Benji O'Riordan
Tenor & Alto Saxophone and Clarinet
Roman Kirczenow
Trumpet
Carmen Llena Pérez
Trombone
Angus Grierson
Piano
Lior Solomons-Wise
Lucian McCauley
Bass
Eliot Whitehouse
Louis Gascoyne
Drums
Natan Kedzierski
Taro Bariquelo
Alec Dankworth
director
British Jazz Awards winner Alec Dankworth has had the privilege of working with a variety of musicians that reflect his love of music from all walks of life – from Stéphane Grappelli to Abdullah Ibrahim and Van Morrison.
He studied bass guitar at Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA. Alec then worked with his parents John Dankworth and Cleo Laine, as well as with the Clarke Tracey Quintet, Tommy Smith and the Julian Joseph Quartet.
In 1995 he joined the Van Morrison group touring Europe and America and recording three albums, including The Healing Game.
1997 saw a move to New York, where he performed with the Duke Ellington Orchestra with a residency at Birdland.
A year later Alec joined The Dave Brubeck Quartet, performing Quartet, Pops and Choral concerts including the New Orleans Jazz Festival and Carnegie Hall.
He was a long standing member of Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames, and an original member of the London Jazz Orchestra.
In 2012 Alec joined Ginger Baker’s Jazz Confusion, featuring Pee Wee Ellis. The group toured the US and Europe in 2013.
Alec currently runs his own groups Spanish Accents and World Spirit, featuring Emily Dankworth on vocals.
He currently performs with the Zoe Rahman Trio and Octet, and with the Simon Spillet Quartet and Big Band.
He teaches at Guildhall School of Music & Drama and the Guildhall School Summer Schools.
Forthcoming Events
Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra & Guildhall Ellingtonian Band
14 March 2025
Barbican Hall
The brilliant Guildhall Ellingtonian Band take to the Barbican Hall stage with a programme of Duke Ellington as part of this concert with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Youth Orchestra.
14 –16 March 2025
Milton Court Concert Hall and Silk Street Music Hall
Be inspired at our Chamber Music Festival, returning for a weekend of captivating and diverse performances showcasing accomplished chamber groups and unique student-professor collaborations.
Junior Guildhall Brass Band & Wind Orchestra
22 March 2025
Milton Court Concert Hall
Talented brass and wind players from Junior Guildhall take to the Milton Court Concert Hall stage under the baton of Spencer Down.
Donate
We hope you thoroughly enjoy today’s performance at Guildhall School. If you feel inspired by our students and would like to support world-class training for these talented performers and production artists, we would be grateful for a voluntary donation.
Join the Guildhall Circle to access priority booking, exclusive events and more while providing vital support to our students. Join us at gsmd.ac.uk/patrons.
Alternatively, you can make your gift using our contactless GoodBox devices located at the Box Office and foyer bars. Thank you.
Please visit our website at gsmd.ac.uk
Guildhall School is provided by the City of London Corporation as part of its contribution to the cultural life of London and the nation.