Phil Brown Swingtet Returns to The Duck and Ball
Monthly riverside jazz nights resume for 2026
The band performs at the Christmas jazz party. Picture: Tim Wacher
January 3, 2026
Chiswick’s jazz lovers have a date to mark in their new diaries: The Phil Brown Swingtet will be back at The Duck and Ball, Riverside Drive, on Thursday 15 January, launching a new season of monthly performances. The band will then take up a regular slot on the third Thursday of every month, bringing top‑class live jazz to one of the area’s most welcoming venues.
The six‑piece Swingtet has built a loyal local following thanks to its easy virtuosity, warm atmosphere and wide‑ranging repertoire. From Armstrong to Basie, traditional to modern, the band covers almost every corner of the jazz songbook — and does so with a relaxed confidence that comes only from decades of collective experience.
At the helm is Phil Brown, a hugely accomplished trombonist whose musical roots run deep. He’s joined by his son Lester Brown on trumpet and flugelhorn, Mark Aston on an impressive array of reeds (clarinet, alto, tenor and baritone sax), Mike Bennett on double bass, and brothers Andrew and David Clancy on piano/keyboard and drums. Together, they create a sound that is both polished and playful, making each session feel like a celebration.
The group regularly welcomes a roster of talented guests, including vocalists Diane Slater, Isabel Saunders, Teresa Jennings, Stephan O’Goodson, and the occasionally‑sighted Tim Wacher. Trumpeters Chris Hodgkins and Anthony Cox often drop in, as do members of the extended Clancy family — Pete Clancy on trombone and Steve Clancy on clarinet — plus baritone sax player Dave Alison and many others.
Their Christmas Party session on 18 December was a perfect example of the Swingtet’s range and good humour. The evening opened with Johnny Hodges’ Squaty Roo, moved through a cha‑cha version of Tea for Two, and blended festive favourites with New Orleans classics. The second set featured everything from Winter Wonderland to St Louis Blues, with standout vocals from Diane Slater and Teresa Jennings, and a joyful family‑and‑friends finale on Basin Street Blues. The atmosphere was lifted even further by Dan Guest and the Lindy Circle Dancers, whose elegant swing dancing added a touch of vintage glamour.
The Duck and Ball — located at 12 Riverside Drive, W4 2SP, opposite Dukes Meadows — has quickly become a favourite for live music, thanks to its friendly atmosphere, excellent food and spacious event area within the Chiswick Cricket Club pavilion.
Music runs from 8pm to 10.30pm, with parking available on site.
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