Music for Youth presents the New Duke Ensemble, October 24th, at the Pequot Library

Music for Youth presents the New Duke Ensemble, Saturday, October 24th, at 2pm, at the Pequot Library as part of the MFY FREE Young Persons' concert series.  This eight-piece band led by Brian Torff, is comprised of the Fairfield University Jazz Faculty. They will bring their brass, drums, piano and vocalists on stage for an energizing afternoon of "classical jazz".

Brian Q. Torff is a renowned bassist, composer, author and educator.  He is a Professor of Music and the Music Program Director at Fairfield University as well as a featured bass soloist in jazz festivals throughout the United State. He has served as  the musical director of the Django Reinhardt New York Festival.  His current project, New Duke, is an acclaimed eight-piece band that performs Torff’s updated arrangements of Duke Ellington’s music.

New Duke features Torff’s arrangements of Duke Ellington’s Cotton Club period through the 1960s, infused with funk, hip-hop, reggae, world beat and other contemporary rhythms. The band highlights the musical brilliance of one of jazz’s most influential figures in an original light. These arrangements for eight-piece jazz band result in a fresh musical direction. The band performs in concert at festivals, and released its first recording in the fall of 2014.

New Duke features many of the great band teachers in Fairfield County: Darryl Tookes, vocals; Brian Torff, bass, composer and arranger, harmonica, and vocals; Jamie Finegan, trumpet; Rick Sadlon, saxophone and flute; Steve Moran, tenor and baritone sax; John Fumasoli, trombone; Dave Childs, keyboards; and Don Mulvaney, drums.

A master class will follow the performance. There is a $30 registration fee to secure your place. Space is limited.  Call 203-254-0123 for more information or email: musicforyouthct@gmail.com for more info.