The Phil Brown Swingtet Returns to The Duck and Ball

A new season of monthly performances from the six-piece band

The Phil Brown Swingtet Returns to The Duck and Ball
The band playing the final number last mongh- 'The Peanut Vendor' - One Clarinet, One tenor sax, Two trombones and Three trumpets!. Picture: Tim Wacher

February 28, 2026

he Phil Brown Swingtet returns to The Duck and Ball on Thursday 19 March, opening another season of free monthly jazz nights at this Riverside Drive venue.

The band will continue to play on the third Thursday of every month throughout 2026, and everyone is warmly invited to come along, enjoy the music, and soak up the atmosphere.

The Swingtet is a six-piece ensemble with an impressively broad repertoire, moving easily between traditional, mainstream and modern jazz. Their sets range from the early swing of Louis Armstrong to the driving rhythms of Count Basie, creating evenings that appeal to seasoned jazz fans and newcomers alike.

The line-up brings together a family of musicians and long-standing collaborators:

  • Phil Brown on trombone, leading with decades of experience
  • Lester Brown on trumpet and flugelhorn
  • Mark Aston on clarinet, alto, tenor and baritone sax
  • Mike Bennett on double bass
  • Andrew Clancy on piano and keyboard
  • David Clancy on drums

Their chemistry on stage is a major part of the Swingtet’s appeal, with each musician stepping forward for solos that show the breadth of their individual styles.

The Duck and Ball sessions are known for their open, convivial atmosphere, with a rotating cast of guest performers who often join the band on the night. Regular visitors include vocalists Diane Slater, Isabel Saunders, Teresa Jennings, Stephan O’Goodson, and occasionally Tim Wacher, as well as trumpeters Chris Hodgkins and Anthony Cox. Members of the Clancy family frequently appear too, including Pete Clancy on trombone and Steve Clancy on clarinet.

The February session offered a flavour of what audiences can expect: a first set that moved from Christopher Columbus to Bye Bye Blackbird, Fidgety Feet, Little Suede Shoes, Undecided, Doggin’ Around and Indiana, followed by a second half featuring Avalon, If I Had You, Honeysuckle Rose, Watermelon Man, Just Friends, Blue Turning Grey, There’ll Be Some Changes Made, The Peanut Vendor, Isle of Capri and even the theme from Dad’s Army.

Adding to the atmosphere, the Lindy Circle Dancers often join the evening, bringing stylish swing dancing that lifts the whole room.

The Duck and Ball, located at 12 Riverside Drive, W4 2SP, sits opposite Dukes Meadows in the pavilion of Chiswick Cricket Club. It offers t food, a relaxed bar, and a friendly crowd that has helped make these jazz nights a regular highlight of the local music calendar. The sessions run from 8pm to 10.30pm.

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