About us

It's not complicated: all ages, all abilities, all welcome – we're also proud to be known as London's friendliest band! We have been making music since 1974 and take pride in our diverse, welcoming, and sociable community. We hope to welcome you either as a new member or in the audience at one of our regular free concerts in and around East London, and beyond.

What makes us unique is our mix of players from every age group, ability level and background. We offer low cost lessons and a path to progress through to performing in our ensembles, and support from the real sense of community spirit in the band. We also welcome families who want to participate in making music together, for example in our popular percussion group.

We are a volunteer-run charity overseen by a small group of Trustees and a committee. We rely on membership fees, our own fundraising activity and grant funding to operate.

If you're interested in joining, we run a range of musical activities every Friday night at the Shadwell Centre, from smaller ensembles in a range of styles to our 'main band' where most players join in. In 2018, we launched three jazz groups which are extremely popular.

As well as our standard YouTube channel videos of concerts etc, do also take a look at our lockdown original massed piece composition footage which gives a flavour of the kind of band we are and how we kept together whilst apart:

With huge thanks to James Brady, Matthew Hardy and Isis Dunthorne.

ELCB is a registered charity (no: 1142255).