AN AMBITIOUS PROJECT WITH AND FOR WOMEN
Duke Ellington loved women who returned the sentiment; this passion for womankind inspired his oeuvre throughout his long career. The Duke Ladies are those whom he frequented, whose portraits he painted or who sang for him, embellished with subtle and refined arrangements (often with the complicity of Billy Strayhorn). His music paid homage to them with tenderness and humor.
The Duke Ladies are also the sincere and passionate female artists of our time who have come together to incarnate with talent and generosity the many facets of Ellington’s art. And since the maestro of charm considered that music is a woman, we dare to proclaim that women are the future of Duke!
In his new project, Laurent Mignard Duke Orchestra proposes a wide instrumental and vocal panorama in homage to women. Eight guest artists as Natalie Dessay, Roberta Gambarini and Rhoda Scott join the jazzwomen of the orchestra to embody with talent and generosity the multiple facets of the ellingtonian elegance.
In memory of Claude Carrière
TWO ALBUMS
- « Duke Ladies vol. 1 » – released on sept 17, 2021 (label Juste une Trace)
- « Duke Ladies vol. 2 » – released on april 15, 2022 (label Juste une Trace)
Feat. avec Rhoda Scott (organ hammond), Natalie Dessay, Roberta Gambarini, Nicolle Rochelle, Myra Maud, Sylvia Howard (vocal), Aurore Voilqué (violin), Rachelle Plas (vol.1) (harmonica), Aurélie Tropez (clarinet), Julie Saury (drums).
DUKE LADIES ON STAGE – May 12, 2022
Théâtre du Châtelet – Paris, France
DUKE LADIES vol.1
DUKE LADIES vol.2
Press review
- Masterful – Jazz Magazine (disque CHOC)
- Love at first sight! Arrow in the heart!! – TSF Jazz
- Really a very nice album! – FIP
- Ellington’s music is wonderfully celebrated there – le Monde
- A rare artistic relevance – La Terrasse
- France has an incredible opportunity that we owe to Laurent Mignard – Alain Pailler
The Lord's Prayer - Sylvia Howard
Perdido - Rhoda Scott, Aurore Voilqué
Blues for New Orleans - Rhoda Scott, Rachelle Plas
DUKE LADIES interviews
-
The Lord's Prayer - Sylvia Howard
The Lord's Prayer (Duke Ellington) soloist : Sylvia Howard "DUKE LADIES vol.2" - Laurent Mignard Duke Orchestra label Juste une Trace www.laurentmignard.com -
Perdido - Rhoda Scott, Aurore Voilqué
Perdido (Juan Tizol) soloists : Rhoda Scott & Aurore Voilqué "DUKE LADIES vol.2" - Laurent Mignard Duke Orchestra label Juste une Trace www.laurentmignard.com -
Blues for New Orleans - Rhoda Scott, Rachelle Plas
Blues for New Orleans (Duke Ellington) Soloists : Rhoda Scott & Rachelle Plas albums "DUKE LADIES vol.1" - Laurent Mignard Duke Orchestra label Juste une Trace www.laurentmignard.com -
DUKE LADIES interviews
"DUKE LADIES vol.1 & vol.2 " - Laurent Mignard Duke Orchestra label Juste une Trace www.laurentmignard.com
LAURENT MIGNARD DUKE ORCHESTRA : Aurélie Tropez (clarinet solo, alto sax), Julie Saury (drums), Didier Desbois (alto sax), Frédéric Couderc (tenor sax, flute), Olivier Defays (tenor sax), Philippe Chagne (baritone sax, bass clarinet), Claude Égéa, Malo Mazurié, Jérôme Etcheberry, Richard Blanchet (trumpets),Nicolas Grymonprez , Michaël Ballue, Jerry Edwards (trombones), Philippe Milanta (piano), Bruno Rousselet (bass), Laurent Mignard (conducting).
GUESTS : Natalie Dessay (vocal), Rhoda Scott (organ hammond), Roberta Gambarini (vocal), Nicolle Rochelle (vocal), Myra Maud (vocal), Sylvia Howard (vocal), Aurore Voilqué (violin), Rachelle Plas (Vol.1) (harmonica), Carl Schlosser (vol.1) (tenor sax) , Sylvain Gontard (vol.2) (flugelhorn).
DUKE LADIES VOL.1
Ref. AMOC640814636191
All compositions by Edward Kennedy Ellington, except « Bakiff » by Juan Tizol, « Satin Doll » by Edward Kennedy Ellington, John Herndon Mercer and Billy Strayhorn, « Sophisticated Lady » by Edward Kennedy Ellington, Irving Mills and Mitchell Parish, « Balcony Serenade » by Billy Strayhorn
Published by Campbell Connelly, Tempo Music, Emi Robbins Catalog, United Artists Music, Salabert Editions
DUKE LADIES VOL.2
AMOC206470292758
All compositions by Edward Kennedy Ellington, except “On a Turquoise Cloud” by Edward Kennedy Ellington and Lawrence Brown, “Lady Mac” and “All Heart” by Edward Kennedy Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, “Perdido” by Juan Tizol Published by United Artists Music Ltd, Tempo Music Inc, Emi Melodies France Sarl, Premiere Music Group, Campbell Connelly France
Produced by Paul Bessone for Juste Une Trace
Executive production by Laurent Mignard for L’Agence Musicale
Recorded by Bruno Minisini at Riffx Studio – Mixed by Carl Schlosser
Mastered by François Terrazzoni (Parelies)
Photographs by Pascal Bouclier
Graphic Design by Alexandre Pichon
Texts by Laurent Mignard – Translation by Rebecca Cavanaugh
Special thanks to François Lacharme
Booking – Press : Claudette de San Isidoro
contact@dukeorchestra.com +33 77 05 66 12
Recording management
paul.bessone@juste-une-trace.com
