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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. More than 38 years of tradition stand behind today's Dukes as they step forward with a sound that is durable and flexible, as jazz is meant to be. The DUKES of Dixieland - strong tradition, new ground, great sounds.
The DUKES have worn their New Orleans jazz heritage proudly as globe-trotting jazz ambassadors from the heart of the Big Easy. They are the oldest continuing Dixieland jazz band and have sold out such venues as The Hollywood Bowl, the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian, to name but a few. Bright and brassy or smooth and dark as cane syrup, the DUKES bring a time-honored authenticity to all of the hits of Dixie's yesteryear.
DUKES PLAY AT JAZZ FEST '13
New Orleans Jazz Legend, Lionel Ferbos was in attendance during the DUKES set. Ferbos is New Orleans Oldest active trumpeter at age 101, playing weekly gigs with the Palm Court Jazz Band at the Palm Court Cafe here in New Orleans. Lionel has also performed at every single Jazz & Heritage Festival to date. Here are some great pictures taken from their performance and some of the DUKES with Lionel Ferbos.
Click Here To View Gallery
Celebrating Satchmo Released!
New Orleans-based DUKES of Dixieland ® is pleased to announce the release of
Featuring Louis Armstrong favorites such as Mack the Knife, What a Wonderful World,
Struttin’ With Some Barbecue and You Rascal You, Celebrating Satchmo is a tribute to the
influence the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner trumpeter had on the music of
New Orleans, where he was born in 1901.
According to John Shoup, CEO of the Leisure Music Group, “New Orleans is the perfect place
to celebrate Satchmo. From his music to the Summer Satchmo Fest held each August, it is
only fitting that the DUKES, the oldest continuously playing jazz band in the area, pay special
tribute to Louis Armstrong, the city’s most revered musician.”
To Purchase follow this link: HERE
To Download follow this link: HERE
DUKES 30th Performance At French Quarter Fest
The DUKES perform the 13th of April at 2:00PM-3:15PM Hope to see you there!
Here's to 39 Great Years!
Back in late 1974, John Shoup, a television producer for PBS and later The Discovery Channel who has also managed and produced many artists, flew out to Las Vegas to meet with musician/singer Louis Prima at Prima’s golf course. Shoup wanted Prima’s permission to take over his lease at the Monteleone Hotel’s rooftop nightclub in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Two months later, on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1974, Shoup opened “Dukes’ Place” atop the Monteleone. It featured the home of the newest ensemble of The DUKES of Dixieland, with Connie Jones as leader.
DUKES Celebrating Satchmo
Dukes of Dixieland tape live performance Nov. 30 for PBS' upcoming 'Celebrating Satchmo' special
PHOTO GALLERY
New Orleans trad-jazz ensemble the Dukes of Dixieland recorded a live performance Friday, Nov. 30, for the PBS film “Celebrating Satchmo,” scheduled to air in 2013. The taping took place between 1-4 p.m. at the Louisiana State Museum’s new, state-of-the-art performance space on the third floor of the Old U.S. Mint, on Esplanade Ave. The Dukes, naturally, performed renditions of tunes Pops made famous, including “Hello Dolly,” “A Kiss To Build A Dream On,” and others.
The original Dukes of Dixieland was formed in 1949 by brothers Frank and Fred Assunto; they spent the early 50’s playing lengthy residencies at the Famous Door on Bourbon Street, where they inherited Sharkey Bonnano’s spot, as well as in Las Vegas. That was where they signed to the Audio Fidelity label where, in the late 50’s, they recorded with Armstrong himself.
The current lineup playing under that name dates its own origins back to 1974, when the last of the original leaders passed away. Since then, many players have passed through the band’s ranks.
The 2012 version of the Dukes can be seen most often, these days, during nightly jazz cruises on the Steamboat Natchez. The band’s most recent album is When Country Meets Dixie, released in early 2012, which features four tracks recorded with the Oak Ridge Boys -– including a reimagining of the Oaks’ 1981 #1 country single “Elvira.”
-Alison FensterstockTimes Picayune Article
