Recreating Duke Ellington’s music has become one of the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra’s greatest successes. The album In the Spirit of Duke, recorded on tour in Scotland during October 2012, captures the internationally acclaimed, award-winning orchestra at its best, delivering the authentic Ellington experience in the repertoire spanning the jazz legend’s entire career.

Now, joined by vocalist Lucy-Anne Daniels and with meticulous attention to period detail, including the stage set-up, the sartorial elegance, specially sourced period brass mutes and scores specially transcribed from Ellington concerts, In an Ellington Mood presents exhilarating and satisfying orchestral jazz.

Hits including ‘Black & Tan Fantasy’, ‘Concerto for Cootie’, ‘Harlem Airshaft’ and a ravishing tenor-piano duet of in ‘The Single Petal of a Rose’ sit alongside movements from ‘The Queen’s Suite’ and extracts from Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn’s daring re-interpretation of Edvard Griegʼs ‘Peer Gynt Suite’. The gospel background, vivid storytelling and swinging creativity of Lucy-Anne Daniels add an extra-special ingredient.

“As our audiences become younger,” says Tommy Smith, “it’s important that they too experience the live power and finesse of a big band playing what is undoubtedly the equal of Mozart, Bach or Beethoven.”