Well my show Sunday just gone was an absolute pleasure as I had the Ukulele band D’Ukes in the studio. This is not the first time D’Ukes have appeared on Phoenix as they have been on many times before. My thanks to fellow presenter Bob Simpson who introduced me to this amazing group. Going from left to right in the picture we have Dave Warren (Lead and Bass Uke), Phil Seeley (Uke and Vocals), Brian Smith (Lead Uke and Backing Vocals), Hazel Smith (Uke and Vocals), Jo Kerr (Uke and Vocals), Martin Burdikin (Uke and Vocals), John Mattock (Uke and Bass) and finally at the very front with the grey T-shirt is Mike Clarke the Sound Engineer where without him, you would hardly be able to hear the band’s splendid music.
D’Ukes are an exciting 7 piece ukulele band that has given the small four-stringed, two hundred year old, modest ukulele a makeover for the 21st century. The Essex based band features lead singers, backing vocalists, strumming ukuleles, dazzling solos, pounding bass and exciting percussion. The music is an eclectic mix. A D’Ukes performance is fun (with a few surprises!) and guaranteed to get you smiling.
Formed at a pub jam session in Chelmsford in 2009 by ukulele player Dave Warren, D’Ukes comprises a diverse group of enthusiastic ukulele players from across the Essex region including Bishops Stortford, Brentwood, Romford, Grays & Braintree whose interests cover the complete musical spectrum. The band’s music is an eclectic mix from artistes as diverse as Amy Winehouse, Deep Purple, Johnny Cash, Radiohead and the Beach Boys.
2012 saw the band venture out of the UK into Europe for a brief tour of the Czech Republic in and around Prague followed by live events around the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and the London Olympics and a TV appearance on Channel 5’s ‘Big Brother’. D’Ukes have already kicked off 2013 with a performance at the legendary Half Moon in Putney, London, and with upcoming theatre shows in Chelmsford, Hornchurch and Colchester as well as headlining the 1st Ukulele Festival for the Czech Republic in the late summer.
If you did not tune in to the show then you missed out on some brilliant music. Below I have put on a some of the songs that D’Ukes played.
D’Ukes – Valerie
D’Ukes – Ring of Fire
D’Ukes – One Day Like This
Also on my show I played Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple on the playlist which coincidentally is one of the songs they play. Below is that very song performed by D’Ukes which was recorded live at T Fest in July 2011…
One of D’Ukes main gig’s that is coming up is on Sunday 20th October at the Brentwood Theatre. Tickets are available at the Brentwood Theatre Box Office and are £10.
D’Ukes are also going to be running a beginners and intermediate course for anyone out there who may want to learn how to play ukulele or improve their skills starting at a slightly earlier date on the 5th October.
For bookings or more detailed information please contact Dave Warren on 07790 452820 or by email to davidwarren202@hotmail.com
You can also go on their website: www.d-ukes.co.uk
You can also find them on Twitter and Facebook
Twitter: ukedukes
Facebook: I’m A D’Ukes Supporter!
You can also find them on YouTube ‘Dukesonfilm’ if you wish to hear some of their songs.
No doubt this will not be last time we hear from them…
