Novel Jazz Septet Concerts, 2019

"I'm Just a Lucky So and So"

 2019 marks our 15th consecutive season of the NJS and covers tunes from the Ellington Band  between the 1920's to the 1970's, with classic jazz compositions from these iconic composers, both standards and lesser-known gems.  We have tunes lined-up that were written to feature many of the instrumental voices of the Ellington orchestra.  The instrumental configuration of the Novel Jazz septet (three horns with a four piece rhythm section) was Ellington's favorite small band combination for those times when he wasn't composing for the 18 piece orchestra. 

Terry Teachout remarked in his brilliant biography of Duke¹, "Unlike many artists who won fame during their lifetimes, Ellington underwent no posthumous decline in his reputation.  He is universally acknowledged as the greatest composer in the history of jazz and, increasingly, as one of the greatest of any kind in the history of American music, as well as a peerlessly creative big-band orchestrator, a pianist of formidible originality, and an enduring exemplar of black accomplishment and pride."  Strayhorn's talents were equally laudible.  As the author, David Hajdu, put it in his book, Lushlife², “Billy Strayhorn was one of the greatest composers in the history of American music, the creator of a body of work that includes such standards as “Take the ‘A’ Train”. Yet all his life Strayhorn was overshadowed by his friend and collaborator Duke Ellington, with whom he worked for three decades as the Ellington Orchestra’s ace songwriter.” 

Our 2019 Ellington & Strayhorn shows will highlight each composer, together and separately.  We look forward to seeing you at our shows!   (Always contact venues in advance to confirm times, directions, ticket details, etc.).   

 ¹ Teachout, Terry.  2013. Duke- A life of Duke Ellington.  Gotham Books, New York. 483pp.

²  Hajdu, David. 1996. Lush Life- A biography of Billy Strayhorn.  North Point Press, New York.  308pp.

Novel Jazz Septet Dates  for 2019 

Novel Jazz Septet Dates  for 2019       Version 2-24-19;

NOTE: SUMMER SCHEDULE CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION- CHECK IN LATER

(*= GAS (Great American Songbook; 

** Ellington &Strayhorn shows)

Date                        Where                               Time 

Fri 22 Mar          Skidompha Library, Damariscotta*  7PM  

Barney Balch and Friends;  Dates for 2019

Date              Where                               Time

Sat 9 Mar    Novel Jazz Trio, Benefit; 1812 Farm, Bristol*        6:00PM