Novel Jazz Septet, one of Maine’s premiere jazz groups, is now in their 19th year of keeping the musical legacy of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn alive and swinging. Their mission is to share the music and stories of the iconic Duke Ellington and his equally iconic musical collaborator, Billy Strayhorn, who together wrote some 3,000 compositions over their musical careers.

Join in the fun, dancing, or settling in to enjoy the performance. The music will focus on dance tunes from Ellington and Strayhorn’s massive repertoire. Dancing or seated, this night will have you tapping your toes! There will be dance floor space, but also plenty of seating for those who wish to listen and dance in their seats.

The musicians of Novel Jazz, Herb Maine (bass), Mickey Felder (piano), David Clark (Guitar), David Harris (alto saxophone), Michael Mitchell (trumpet), Barney Balch (trombone) and Bill Manning (drums), travel far and wide, keeping the spirit of Duke and Sweet Pea alive and swinging!

“These are all seasoned jazz guys, and the result is a sound that made me sway, smile, groove, slow-dance with myself around the living room and play the air snare drums.” – Aimsel Ponti, Portland Press Herald