HISTORY
The pub's name is a reference to the classic American Jazz musician Duke Ellington, and it's thought that he once performed there. The pub has actually held the same (or similar) name since it was built, and most likely previously referred to The Duke of Cumberland.
The Old Duke dates from about 1775, an entry appearing in Sketchley's Bristol Directory of that year, for Lewis Jenkins, victualler, Lodging & Board, 'Duke of Cumberland', 44 King Street, and is a grade II listed building. The building itself incorporates some of Bristol's original city wall.
The pub's heritage lies with traditional, New Orleans inspired Jazz. Bands include the Blue Notes and the Severn Jazzmen, both of whom have been playing at the venue for over 35 years, Keith Little's Hot Six, Cass Caswell's Allstars, The University of Bristol Traditional Jazz Band, and many touring bands from around the world.
In 2009, The Old Duke was named by the Brecon Jazz Festival as one of 12 venues which had made the most important contributions to jazz music in the United Kingdom.
The Old Duke is located opposite the Llandoger Trow, another notable Bristol pub.
A wonderful video of The Old Duke back in the 70's:
Centre Piece
If you have any photographs or stories of The Old Duke, we would love for you to share them with us.
Send an e-mail to info@theoldduke.com
The Duke
Posh restaurants, seedy clubs, dancing academies, even a Y.M.C.A. summer-house, all have been the setting for jazz in Bristol. For years, musicians and band managers searched in vain for the ideal venue. Upstairs rooms in pubs were tried; some were successful, some not, but in the end something always went wrong. Until one day in 1967.
The wife of the then Landlord of the Duke, acquainted with Mike and Sheila Edkins and knowing they managed a jazz band, invited them to inspect the upstairs clubroom. Peeling wallpaper not withstanding, it was decided to have a go, for one night only and see what happened.
So it was that Gerry Bath's Okeh Rhythm Kings set up their instruments to play their first ever jazz gig at the Duke. It was Saturday, 1st April, 1967- All Fools Day! But it was a success from the first number.
Saturday sessions became regular events, then the Severn Jazzmen tried and made a success of Wednesdays (as they do to this day).1
In the summer of the following year was born the idea of trying the bands in the downstairs bar, a rather daring idea then because most were aware of the bye-laws limiting performances in public bars to two musicians only.
All went smoothly for a while: other nights and other bands were used, and jazz pub was in the making. The blow fell on a Thursday night, stopping Henry's Bootblacks (now defunct)2 in mid-chorus. A posse of policeman surrounded the Duke in numbers more fitted to controlling the Cup Final. An inspector announced that the law was being broken, and there was to be no more of that. "Why" he said to the Landlord, "you don't apply for a music license is beyond me". And it was as simple as that: a door re-hung to conform with Fire Regulations, and a few minutes at the Magistrates Court where, no objections being lodged, a license was granted instantly. There was a subsequent hiccup over a Sunday license but this was overcome and so, for the first time, the jazz musicians had a roof under which to play seven days a week.
The present Landlord, John Stone, took over in 1978.3 Every other person behind the bar seems to be family- wife Maureen, daughters Kristine and Beverly, son Nigel and wife Joan and various in-laws and relations. John was a band master in the Royal Marines (though you won't believe it when you hear his contribution to the finale on Side 2!)
The sign hanging outside the Duke was painted by musician and artist Pete Harrison and unmistakeably depicts Duke Ellington.4 All of us connected with the pub like to think the "Duke" would approve.
WAYNE CHANDLER
30th September, 1979
1 The Severn Jazzmen now play every other Monday night.
2 No longer defunct. Can be seen here at Sunday lunchtime on 18th June.
3 After John left the Duke it was then run by several managers for companies including Courage and Scottish & Newcastle. The current landlord, Stuart Seydel, has been running the Duke since 2001.
4 The current sign was repainted by Graeme Robbins (http://pubsigndesign.com/gallery/gallery.html). Sadly Pete Harrison's sign had taken too much weather damage to be repaired. The sign still depicts Duke Ellington.