DUKES OF DIXIELAND BRING STRONG TRADITION AND GREAT SOUND

Oct 26, 2004

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow

SPOKANE The Dukes of Dixieland blow traditional jazz and Dixieland into the 21st Century, weaving strands of pop, gospel, and country with authentic New Orleans sounds. They will bring that sound to their performance with the Spokane Symphony on Saturday, Nov. 6 at 8 p.m. in the Spokane Opera House under the direction of Associate Conductor Morihiko Nakahara.

Jazz in an American tradition is celebrated by the Dukes of Dixieland during every performance. The group has maintained its preeminent position in its art for four decades and is the oldest continually performing jazz ensemble in New Orleans. From the original group founded in 1949 by the Assunto brothers, trumpet player Frankie and trombonist Freddie, to the current members who keep the sound alive and growing, the group has kept its determination to bring to their audiences the heart and soul of New Orleans.

Today's Dukes of Dixieland group has a distinctive blend of traditional Dixieland, New Orleans jazz and rhythm and blues, all mixed in with innovative jazz stylings and arrangements. The Dukes have stirred audiences throughout the world, sharing the stage on tour with Mel Torme, Red Skelton, George Gobel, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Pete Fountain, Al Hirt, Woody Herman and scores of other jazz greats. The Dukes also claims the distinction of being one of the few Dixieland jazz ensembles to appear as a special guests with numerous symphony orchestras.

The band has a string of firsts behind it and a sound that is still fresh fresh enough to win a Grammy nomination for their 50-year celebration album, the jazz-gospel breakthrough Gloryland. The Dukes were the first Dixieland band to record on stereo, one of the first three ( the other two are Dave Brubeck and Doc Severinsen) to record direct-to-disc, the first on video, CD and DVD.

They will play tunes billed as bright and brassy or smooth and dark as cane sugar. Among those tunes are South Rampart Street Parade, Midnight in Moscow, Honky Tonk Train Blues, Sleepy Time Down South, The Original Dixieland Onestep, and of course, When the Saints Go Marching In.

The concert is underwritten by Avista and Wendle Motors.

Tickets range from $17 to $38 and are available Monday through Friday from 9:30-5:00 p.m. at the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office at 818 West Riverside Avenue or by calling (509) 624-1200. Tickets are also available on weekends and evenings, with a service charge, at www.spokanesymphony.org or through TicketsWest at 325-SEAT or 1-800-325-SEAT.