Ian Swatman - clarinet/saxophone ;
Jonathan Duke - piano
Influences
Ian likes Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, Tchaikovsky, Benny Goodman and will listen to anything once! He believes that Jack Brymer made the finest ever clarinet sound - quality is ageless. There is no finer buzz than standing in front of a Big Band and playing in the style of Benny.
Hull City AFC are a major influence on his life primarily because they frequently make him miserable!!
Jonny likes Boulez, Abbado, lots of good orchestras, Dollar and Spandau Ballet! Yes, he is odd and you had better ask him who Dollar were! He likes driving Alfas very fast usually listening to 'Tight Fit's Fantasy Island' while eating a box of chicken wings from KFC - yes, all at once!! He is a very talented individual..
Jonathan and Ian have been working together for a number of years mainly on ‘serious’ repertoire, performing a host of chamber concerts. Brahms to Horovitz, loads of notes and far too much practice required! However this ensemble was formed about six years ago with the intention of chillin’ out a bit, playing lighter works and generally enjoying themselves. A drummer can be added to help the evening go with a swing!
The ensemble has now worked extensively at both corporate and private functions from Dorset to Chester!
In 2000 ‘The Duke Ensemble’ provided music for the National Trust for its Neptune Project working aboard the ‘Grand Turk.’ The ensemble has worked for ‘Topsail Charters’ providing music for corporate events on the River Thames, clients have included B.P, Volvo International, Sony, British Gas and the P.R.S. More recently the ensemble has worked for Kent based ‘Tandem Catering’ providing music for private parties.
In 2006 the ensemble provided music for the ‘Pramadeus Project’ which celebrated Mozart’s 250th anniversary.
Programmes can be devised to suit any requirements. For a slightly more formal evening our ‘Baroque to Boogie’ programme ranging from Tartini to Gershwin is very popular.
