A piece of music written in honour of the Queen by one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time is to be given its world premiere performance in Marlborough during the International Jazz Festival in July.

Jazz icon Duke Ellington was so enthralled after meeting the Queen in 1958 that he wrote The Queen’s Suite, recorded it and sent Her Maj-esty the only copy.

Festival organiser Nick Fogg said: “After that he was tied up with other projects, so never pursued this one, as he intended, before his death. Pete Long, the musical director of the Ronnie Scott’s orchestras, organised the transcription of the score at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC.”

Mr Fogg is excited that the score will receive its first ever public performance in the town that has become synonymous with jazz music.

He said: “What more appropriate way to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of our Queen than to perform a work composed in her honour and which has never been performed until now?”

The 16-piece band Echoes of Ellington is regarded as one of the greatest UK swing orchestras of all time. It will be led by its founder, Pete Long, the force behind the rediscovery of this remarkable piece of music.

The suite is in six movements and lasts 25 minutes. The first half of the programme will include two other well-known Ellington orchestral pieces, The Tattooed Bride and Dimin-uendo and Crescendo. The second half will include Ellington numbers such as Don’t Get Around Much Any More, Take the A Train, Mood Indigo and Rockin’ in Rhythm.

Mr Fogg said: “If you’re a royalist, a big band fan, an Ellingtonian groupie, or just someone who likes fantastic music, then get down to Marlborough on July 13. You’ll not be disappointed.”

For more information go to www.marlboroughjazz.com