The eight-piece group plays lesser known compositions by Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn arranged by Tony Faulkner, a former lecturer at Leeds College of Music where Alan was a student from 1977 to 1980.

"Tony taught me at LCM where I played in his big band, and it's been great working together again almost 30 years later," said multi-saxophonist Barnes, who is now a Fellow of the College.

"It all started when I guested with his Ellington Repertory Orchestra at the college last year.

"I asked him if he could adapt some of his arrangements for an octet, and this is what we will be playing in Scarborough.

"To me Tony has got to be one of the most accomplished arrangers in the country and it's criminal he has not done more. Although the pieces are arranged in Ducal and Strayhorn style they are by no means slavish copies."

Trumpeter Bruce Adams, pianist John Horler and trombonist Andy Wood are among the Ellingtonians, not forgetting the indefatigable leader himself who has just returned from an eight-day tour of Norway playing bebop with Norwegian musicians.

The sixth Scarborough festival looks destined to be the most successful so far, with more than 3,000 people passing through the Grand Hall for a three-day programme which also stars the BBC Big Band, Clare Teal, Guy Barker, Courtney Pine and Claire Martin.

For more information log on to www.scarboroughjazzfestival.co.uk