During one of his final interviews in 1970, Jimi Hendrix spoke of his desire to lead “a big band that I can write and conduct for”. More than fifty years later, Denny Ilett’s Electric Lady Big Band brings that vision thrillingly to life.

Denny Ilett’s Electric Lady Big Band plays the music of Jimi Hendrix

Ronnie Scott's

We are very excited to present this fabulous Big Band as a special Jazz Club event, to be held in the main auditorium of the Key Theatre. Hailed as “a living, breathing, positively fizzing jazz orchestra” (‘Jazz Rag’) the Simon Spillett Big Band burst onto the UK jazz scene 2021 with the purpose of revisiting the repertoire of the legendary British jazz icon, saxophonist Tubby Hayes, playing music Hayes’ bands played during the 1960s and early 1970s, much of which hadn’t been heard publicly since his death in 1973. The band is a genuinely ‘all star’ unit, comprising a line-up of stellar UK jazz soloists, many bandleaders in their own right, led with charisma and style by multi-award winning saxophonist Simon Spillett. The line-up includes trumpeter Mark Armstrong (director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra), Pete Long (leader of Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra) and Alan Barnes (winner of over 30 British jazz awards) along with a powerhouse rhythm section.

Peterborough Jazz Club: Simon Spillett Big Band

Key Theatre

Finalist of the BBC Young Jazz Musician of the Year 2020 and winner of the Rising Star category in the 2019 British Jazz Awards, Alex Clarke showcases her talent alongside renowned jazz pianist Dave Newton before we welcome southern Spain’s most celebrated flamenco-jazz artist, Antonio Lizana and his quintet, for the first time in Manchester.

Alex Clarke

Events

Past events

5 - 6 Aug, 2026

Denny Ilett’s Electric Lady Big Band plays the music of Jimi Hendrix · Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club

Feb 22, 2025

Peterborough Jazz Club: Simon Spillett Big Band · Key Theatre

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