Jazz

Duke Ellington The Duke Ellington Centennial Edition h33t

• 
• 
• Rate this torrent +  |  -

Torrent info

Torrent Files List

Torrent description

Description:



http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/music/B00000IIQY/glance/104-2900498-5738357

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=UIDSUB040401061323242365&sql=A5tknu3ekanok


Centennial Edition: Complete RCA Victor Recordings: 1927-1973
Artist Duke Ellington
Album Title Centennial Edition: Complete RCA Victor Recordings: 1927-1973
Date of Release Apr 27, 1999
AMG Rating
Genre Jazz
Tones Elegant, Sophisticated, Stylish, Cheerful, Refined/Mannered, Joyous
Styles Big Band, Swing
Type compilation, box
Time 1632:5

MP3/320Kbps


This 24-CD box, which dwarfs even most Bear Family sets in scope, is essentially everything Ellington cut
for RCA-Victor over a 46-year period. There are gaps, especially after 1946 when he jumped to Columbia,
but otherwise, this is all of it.

One quickly discovers that, by virtue of its leader's taste, combined with the good sense of RCA-Victor's
recording managers, this was a band that did little, if any, wrong on record. Better yet, from the opening
cut on Disc One (which encompasses 1927 and part of 192, there's scarcely a trace of tinniness, and the
bass and middle are rich and natural.

Disc Three takes us from 1929 into 1930, and even only two years into their recording career, the Ellington
band was evolving into something more sophisticated than a dance band.

Disc Five includes the 1930 session that yielded the first recording of "Mood Indigo," where the band sort
of announces to the world that they're the most musically sophisticated and adept outfit in jazz.

Disc Eight picks up in 1940 - this is the Blanton-Webster band transferred properly to CD, and it never got
any better than this, at least within the context of big-band swing.

The excerpts from "Black, Brown and Beige" included on Disc 14 are among the most famous parts of this body of
work, and they've never sounded better.

Discs 18 through 20 encompass the complete trio of Sacred Concerts, and

Discs 21 thru 24 cover the Far East Suite, Ellington's mid-'60s recuttings of his classic hits, and his tribute
to Billy Strayhorn, through to his final concert release from 1973.

This material is all worthwhile, and the 122-page book that comes with the set is chock full of extraordinarily
informative and well-written essays, plus vital sessionography information.

The set is also, alas, incredibly unwieldy, the individual CDs sliding out too easily from their separate sleeves.

They're still a bargain, of course, but someone should have given more thought to the needs of real listeners.
Bruce Eder

1. If You Can't Hold the Man You Love (Don't... performed by Evelyn Preer / Ellington - 2:48
2. Washington Wabble [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:46
3. Washington Wabble [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:48
4. Black and Tan Fantasy performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:08
5. Washington Wabble performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:02
6. Creole Love Call performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:14
7. The Blues I Love to Sing [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:06
8. The Blues I Love to Sing [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:09
9. Harlem River Quiver (Brown Berries) [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:43
10. Harlem River Quiver (Brown Berries) [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:44
11. Harlem River Quiver (Brown Berries) [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:46
12. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:37
13. Blue Bubbles [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:10
14. Blue Bubbles [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:13
15. Black Beauty performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:51
16. Jubilee Stomp performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:33
17. Got Everything But You performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:58
18. Santa Claus, Bring My Man Back to Me performed by Ellington / Ozie Ware Soprano / Hot Five - 2:58
19. I Done Caught You Blues performed by Ellington / Ozie Ware Soprano / Hot Five - 2:55
20. The Mooche (Ellington/Mills) - 3:32
21. I Can't Give You Anything But Love [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:16
22. No, Papa, No performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:19
23. No, Papa, No [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:19
24. I Can't Give You Anything But Love performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:03
25. Bandanna Babies performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:16
26. Diga Diga Doo performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:57
27. I Must Have That Man! performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:20
28. St. Louis Blues [alternate take] performed by Ellington / Mills, Warren And His Blue Serenaders - 4:10
29. St. Louis Blues [alternate take] performed by Ellington / Mills, Warren And His Blue Serenaders - 4:14
30. St. Louis Blues [#] performed by Ellington / Mills, Warren And His Blue Serenaders - 4:18
31. Flaming Youth [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:13
32. Flaming Youth [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:14
33. Saturday Night Function performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:02
34. High Life performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:04
35. Doin' the Voom Voom [#] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:06
36. Doin' the Voom Voom [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:05
37. Japanese Dream (Fields/McHugh) - 3:30
38. Harlemania (Fields/McHugh) - 2:56
39. The Dicty Glide [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:09
40. The Dicty Glide [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:12
41. Hot Feet performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:38
42. Sloppy Joe [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:14
43. Sloppy Joe [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:13
44. Stevedore Stomp performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:46
45. A Night at the Cotton Club, Pt 1/Cotton... performed by Irving Mills / Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:49
46. A Night at the Cotton Club, Pt 2/Goin' to... performed by Irving Mills / Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:29
47. Cotton Club Stomp performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:56
48. Misty Mornin' (Ellington/Whetsol) - 3:06
49. Arabian Lover performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:48
50. Saratoga Swing performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:48
51. Mississippi (Youmans) - 3:19
52. The Duke Steps Out (Ellington/Hodges/Williams) - 3:13
53. Haunted Nights (Ellington) - 3:12
54. Swanee Shuffle (Berlin) - 3:17
55. Breakfast Dance performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:04
56. Jazz Lips performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:15
57. March of the Hoodlums performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:55
58. Double Check Stomp performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:51
59. My Gal Is Good for Nothing But Love performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:58
60. I Was Made to Love You performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:57
61. Sweet Dreams of Love [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:21
62. Sweet Dreams of Love [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:23
63. Jungle Nights in Harlem performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:51
64. Sweet Jazz O' Mine [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:40
65. Sweet Jazz O' Mine [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:38
66. Shout 'Em Aunt Tillie performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:54
67. Ring Dem Bells [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:51
68. Ring Dem Bells [Take 3] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:52
69. Old Man Blues [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:01
70. Old Man Blues [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:02
71. Old Man Blues [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:02
72. Three Little Words [#] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:02
73. Three Little Words performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:03
74. Ring Dem Bells performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:56
75. Old Man Blues [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:07
76. Old Man Blues [Take 6] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:03
77. Hittin' the Bottle [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:59
78. Hittin' the Bottle [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:56
79. That Lindy Hop performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:54
80. You're Lucky to Me performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:56
81. Memories of You performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:13
82. Nine Little Miles from Ten-Ten-Tennessee [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:24
83. Nine Little Miles from Ten-Ten-Tennessee [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:23
84. I'm So in Love With You [#] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:32
85. I'm So in Love With You [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:33
86. What Good Am I Without You? [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:55
87. Blue Again performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:13
88. When a Black Man's Blue [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:04
89. Mood Indigo performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:07
90. What Good Am I Without You? performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:49
91. When a Black Man's Blue performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:59
92. The River and Me performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:14
93. Keep a Song in Your Soul performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:39
94. Sam and Delilah performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:28
95. Rockin' in Rhythm [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:55
96. Rockin' in Rhythm [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 2:51
97. Creole Rhapsody, Pt. 1 performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:01
98. Creole Rhapsody, Pt. 2 [Take 3] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:22
99. Creole Rhapsody, Pt. 2 [#] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:21
100. Limehouse Blues performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:10
101. Echoes of the Jungle performed by Ellington, Duke And His Cotton Club... - 3:25
102. It's Glory performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:08
103. The Mystery Song performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:11
104. The Mystery Song [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:11
105. Mood Indigo/Hot and Bothered/Creole Love... performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 7:37
106. Mood Indigo/Hot and Bothered/Creole Love... [Stereo Version] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 7:42
107. East St. Louis Toodle-Oo/Lot O' Fingers... [medley] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 7:32
108. Dinah performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:53
109. Bugle Call Rag performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:02
110. Maori (A Samoan Dance) performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:24
111. Rude Interlude [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:10
112. Rude Interlude [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:07
113. Dallas Doings [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:57
114. Dallas Doings [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:55
115. Dear Old Southland [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:34
116. Dear Old Southland [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:26
117. Daybreak Express [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:55
118. Daybreak Express [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:56
119. Delta Serenade [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:14
120. Delta Serenade [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:16
121. Stompy Jones (Ellington) - 3:00
122. Solitude performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:30
123. Blue Feeling performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:10
124. Ebony Rhapsody performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:21
125. Cocktails for Two [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:26
126. Cocktails for Two [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:24
127. Live and Love Tonight performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:16
128. I Met My Waterloo performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:28
129. Troubled Waters [#] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:30
130. Troubled Waters [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:27
131. My Old Flame performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:21
132. You, You Darlin' performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:19
133. Jack the Bear performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:15
134. Ko Ko [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:38
135. Ko Ko [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:40
136. Morning Glory performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:16
137. So Far, So Good performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:51
138. Conga Brava performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:57
139. Concerto for Cootie performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:18
140. Me and You performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:53
141. Bojangles [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:43
142. Cotton Tail performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:11
143. Never No Lament performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:17
144. Blue Goose performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:19
145. Dusk [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:18
146. Dusk [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:15
147. Bojangles performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:51
148. A Portrait of Bert Williams performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:08
149. Blue Goose performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:21
150. Harlem Air Shaft performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:57
151. At a Dixie Roadside Diner performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:47
152. All Too Soon performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:28
153. Rumpus in Richmond performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:47
154. My Greatest Mistake performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:24
155. Sepia Panorama [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:22
156. Sepia Panorama [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:22
157. There Shall Be No Night performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:10
158. In a Mellow Tone performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:15
159. Five O'Clock Whistle performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:17
160. Warm Valley performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:13
161. Pitter Panther Patter [Take 1] performed by Ellington / Jimmy Blanton - 3:07
162. Pitter Panther Patter [Take 2] performed by Ellington / Jimmy Blanton - 3:01
163. Body and Soul [Take 1] (Eyton/Green/Heyman/Sour) - 3:03
164. Body and Soul [Take 2] performed by Ellington / Jimmy Blanton - 3:05
165. Body and Soul [Take 3] performed by Ellington / Jimmy Blanton - 3:08
166. Sophisticated Lady performed by Ellington / Jimmy Blanton - 2:53
167. Sophisticated Lady performed by Ellington / Jimmy Blanton - 2:45
168. Mr. J.B. Blues [Take 1] performed by Ellington / Jimmy Blanton - 3:02
169. Mr. J.B. Blues [Take 2] performed by Ellington / Jimmy Blanton - 3:11
170. The Flaming Sword [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:20
171. The Flaming Sword [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:06
172. The Flaming Sword [Take 3] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:08
173. Warm Valley [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:19
174. Warm Valley [Take 3] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:21
175. Across the Track Blues performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:59
176. Across the Track Blues performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:58
177. Chloe performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:24
178. I Never Felt This Way Before [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:30
179. I Never Felt This Way Before [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:34
180. Day Dream performed by Ellington / Hodges, Johnn And His Orchestra - 2:56
181. Good Queen Bess [alternate take] performed by Ellington / Hodges, Johnn And His Orchestra - 2:58
182. Good Queen Bess performed by Ellington / Hodges, Johnn And His Orchestra - 3:00
183. That's the Blues, Old Man performed by Ellington / Hodges, Johnn And His Orchestra - 2:54
184. Junior Hop [alternate take] performed by Ellington / Hodges, Johnn And His Orchestra - 3:03
185. Junior Hop [Take 2] performed by Ellington / Hodges, Johnn And His Orchestra - 3:07
186. Without a Song [Take 1] performed by Ellington / Stewart, Rex & His Orchestra - 2:44
187. Without a Song [alternate take] performed by Ellington / Stewart, Rex & His Orchestra - 2:45
188. My Sunday Gal performed by Ellington / Stewart, Rex & His Orchestra - 3:07
189. Mobile Bay [Take 1] performed by Ellington / Stewart, Rex & His Orchestra - 3:03
190. Mobile Bay [alternate take] performed by Ellington / Stewart, Rex & His Orchestra - 3:03
191. Linger Awhile [alternate take] performed by Ellington / Stewart, Rex & His Orchestra - 3:25
192. Linger Awhile [Take 2] performed by Ellington / Stewart, Rex & His Orchestra - 3:23
193. Charlie the Chulo [alternate take] performed by Ellington / Bigard, Barney And His Orchestra - 3:08
194. Charlie the Chulo [alternate take] performed by Ellington / Bigard, Barney And His Orchestra - :46
195. Charlie the Chulo [Take 1] performed by Ellington / Bigard, Barney And His Orchestra - 3:02
196. Lament for Javanette [alternate take] performed by Ellington / Bigard, Barney And His Orchestra - 3:15
197. Lament for Javanette [Take 1A] performed by Ellington / Bigard, Barney And His Orchestra - 2:50
198. A Lull at Dawn [alternate take] performed by Ellington / Bigard, Barney And His Orchestra - 4:12
199. A Lull at Dawn [alternate take] performed by Ellington / Bigard, Barney And His Orchestra - 3:35
200. A Lull at Dawn [Take 1A] performed by Ellington / Bigard, Barney And His Orchestra - 3:26
201. Ready Eddy [Take 1] performed by Ellington / Bigard, Barney And His Orchestra - 3:12
202. Ready Eddy [alternate take] performed by Ellington / Bigard, Barney And His Orchestra - 2:32
203. Ready Eddy [alternate take] performed by Ellington / Bigard, Barney And His Orchestra - :17
204. Ready Eddy [alternate take] performed by Ellington / Bigard, Barney And His Orchestra - 3:06
205. The Sidewalks of New York performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:13
206. Flamingo performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:22
207. The Girl in My Dreams Tries to Look Like... [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:17
208. The Girl in My Dreams Tries to Look Like... [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:23
209. Take the "A" Train performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:54
210. Jumpin' Punkins [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:39
211. Jumpin' Punkins [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:32
212. John Hardy's Wife performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:27
213. Blue Serge performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:20
214. After All performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:21
215. Dear Old Southland [Take 1] (Creamer/Layton) - 3:17
216. Dear Old Southland [Take 2] (Creamer/Layton) - 3:23
217. Solitude [Take 1] (DeLange/Ellington/Mills) - 3:29
218. Solitude [Take 2] (DeLange/Ellington/Mills) - 3:14
219. Bakiff performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:23
220. Are You Sticking? [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:03
221. Are You Sticking? [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:03
222. Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin' performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:34
223. The Giddybug Gallop performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:31
224. Chocolate Shake performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:53
225. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:18
226. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:20
227. Clementine performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:58
228. Brown-Skin Gal (In the Calico Gown) (Ellington/Webster) - 3:09
229. Jump for Joy [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:52
230. Jump for Joy [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:57
231. Moon Over Cuba performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:13
232. Some Saturday performed by Ellington / Stewart, Rex & His Orchestra - 2:58
233. Subtle Slough (Ellington) - 3:14
234. Menelik: The Lion of Judah [alternate take] performed by Ellington / Stewart, Rex & His Orchestra - 3:15
235. Menelik: The Lion of Judah [#] performed by Ellington / Stewart, Rex & His Orchestra - 3:15
236. Poor Bubber performed by Ellington / Stewart, Rex & His Orchestra - 3:19
237. Squatty Roo performed by Ellington / Hodges, Johnny And His Orchestra - 2:22
238. Passion Flower performed by Ellington / Hodges, Johnny And His Orchestra - 3:07
239. Things Ain't What They Used to Be performed by Ellington / Hodges, Johnny And His Orchestra - 3:36
240. Goin' Out the Back Way performed by Ellington / Hodges, Johnny And His Orchestra - 2:42
241. Five O'Clock Drag performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:12
242. Rocks in My Bed performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:06
243. Bli-Blip performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:04
244. Chelsea Bridge [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:59
245. Brown Suede performed by Ellington / Bigard, Barney And His Orchestra - 3:05
246. Noir Bleu [alternate take] performed by Ellington / Bigard, Barney And His Orchestra - 3:12
247. C Jam Blues performed by Ellington / Bigard, Barney And His Orchestra - 2:51
248. June [alternate take] performed by Ellington / Bigard, Barney And His Orchestra - 3:12
249. Rain Check performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:49
250. What Good Would It Do? performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:46
251. I Don't Know What Kind of Blues I Got [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:14
252. I Don't Know What Kind of Blues I Got [#] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:20
253. Chelsea Bridge performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:53
254. Perdido [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:07
255. Perdido [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:07
256. C Jam Blues performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:37
257. Moon Mist [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:58
258. Moon Mist [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:57
259. What Am I Here For? performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:25
260. I Don't Mind [#] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:46
261. I Don't Mind [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:49
262. Someone performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:08
263. My Little Brown Book performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:11
264. Main Stem performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:48
265. Johnny Come Lately performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:40
266. Hayfoot, Strawfoot [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:33
267. Hayfoot, Strawfoot [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:32
268. Sentimental Lady performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:02
269. Sentimental Lady [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:00
270. A Slip of the Lip (Can Sink a Ship) performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:55
271. Sherman Shuffle performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:38
272. I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:39
273. I'm Beginning to See the Light [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:11
274. I'm Beginning to See the Light [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:09
275. Don't You Know I Care (Or Don't You Care... [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:04
276. Don't You Know I Care (Or Don't You Care... [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:57
277. I Didn't Know About You performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:43
278. Work Song {Black, Brown and Beige} performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:34
279. Come Sunday {Black, Brown and Beige} performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:28
280. The Blues {Black, Brown and Beige} performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:31
281. Three Dances {Black, Brown and Beige} performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:32
282. Carnegie Blues performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:46
283. Blue Cellophane performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:53
284. Mood to Be Wooed performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:57
285. (All of a Sudden) My Heart Sings performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:50
286. Kissing Bug performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:59
287. Everything But You performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:49
288. (Otto Make That) Riff Staccato performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:02
289. Prelude to a Kiss performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:59
290. Caravan performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:45
291. Black and Tan Fantasy performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:47
292. Mood Indigo performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:45
293. In a Sentimental Mood performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:01
294. It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got... performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:57
295. Sophisticated Lady performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:37
296. Tonight I Shall Sleep (With a Smile on My... performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:54
297. The Minor Goes Muggin' performed by Ellington / Tommy Dorsey - 3:00
298. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:01
299. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:00
300. Solitude performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:03
301. Frankie and Johnny performed by Ellington, Duke And His Rhythm - 3:01
302. Jumpin' Room Only performed by Ellington, Duke And His Rhythm - 2:55
303. Black Beauty performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:47
304. Every Hour on the Hour (I Fall in Love... performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:03
305. The Perfume Suite: Balcony Serenade performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:07
306. The Perfume Suite: Strange Feeling performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:11
307. The Perfume Suite: Dancers in Love performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:19
308. The Perfume Suite: Coloratura [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:56
309. The Perfume Suite: Coloratura [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:57
310. Things Ain't What They Used to Be performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:05
311. Tell Ya What I'm Gonna Do performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:46
312. Come to Baby, Do! performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:47
313. I'm Just a Lucky So and So performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 3:08
314. Long, Strong and Consecutive performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:52
315. The Wonder of You performed by Ellington, Duke & His Orchestra - 2:43
316. Tonk performed by Ellington / Billy Strayhorn - 2:46
317. Drawing Room Blues performed by Ellington / Billy Strayhorn - 3:38
318. Rockabye River performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:00
319. Suddenly It Jumped (Ellington) - 2:45
320. Transblucency performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:58
321. Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me) performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:18
322. A Gathering in a Clearing performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:08
323. You Don't Love Me No More performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:24
324. Pretty Woman performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:43
325. Hey Baby performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:46
326. (Back Home Again In) Indiana performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:46
327. Blue Is the Night performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:04
328. Lover Man [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:18
329. Lover Man [Take 2] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:17
330. Just You, Just Me performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:51
331. Beale Street Blues performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:51
332. Memphis Blues performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:02
333. St. Louis Blues performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:57
334. My Honey's Lovin' Arms performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:08
335. I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance With You performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:01
336. Swamp Fire performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:49
337. Royal Garden Blues performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:06
338. Esquire Swank performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:28
339. Midriff performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:14
340. Long, Long Journey performed by Ellington / Louis Armstrong - 4:28
341. The One That Got Away performed by Ellington / Louis Armstrong - 4:21
342. Gone With the Wind performed by Ellington / Louis Armstrong - 4:33
343. Metronome All-Out performed by Metronome All Star Band / Ellington - 4:11
344. Skin Deep [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 7:34
345. How Could You Do a Thing Like That to Me [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:51
346. Sophisticated Lady [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 6:13
347. Perdido [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:38
348. Caravan [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:13
349. Harlem Suite [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 15:17
350. The Hawk Talks [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:53
351. Ellington Medley: Don't Get Around Much... performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 6:54
352. Jam With Sam [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:40
353. In the Beginning God [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 19:59
354. Tell Me It's the Truth [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:47
355. Come Sunday [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:53
356. The Lord's Prayer [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:42
357. Come Sunday [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 6:05
358. Will You Be There?/Ain't But the One [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:41
359. New World A-Comin' [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 8:25
360. David Danced [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 6:29
361. Ninety Nine Percent [live/#] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 1:52
362. My Mother, My Father and Love [live/#] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:57
363. New World A-Comin' [alternate take/live/#] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 8:18
364. A Christmas Surprise [live/#] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:50
365. A Christmas Surprise [live/#] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:28
366. Praise God performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:09
367. Supreme Being performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 11:46
368. Heaven performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:54
369. Something 'Bout Believing performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 8:14
370. Almighty God performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 6:33
371. The Shepherd performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 7:10
372. It's Freedom performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 13:02
373. Meditation performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:12
374. The Biggest and Busiest Intersection performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:58
375. T.G.T.T. (Too Good to Title) performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:27
376. Don't Get Down on Your Knees to Pray Until performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 5:17
377. Father Forgive performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:48
378. Praise God and Dance performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 10:58
379. Introduction [live] performed by Crowe, Sir Colin - 1:33
380. Introduction [live] - :59
381. The Lord's Prayer/My Love [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 7:49
382. Is God a Three-Letter Word for Love? (Pt.... [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:27
383. Is God a Three-Letter Word for Love? (Pt.... [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:46
384. The Brotherhood [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 5:34
385. Hallelujah [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:29
386. Every Man Prays in His Own Language [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 11:09
387. Ain't Nobody Nowhere Nothin' Without God [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:17
388. The Majesty of God [live] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 7:14
389. Far East Suite: Tourist Point of View [Take 7] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 5:08
390. Far East Suite: Bluebird of Delhi (Mynah) [Take 12] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:17
391. Far East Suite: Isfahan [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:02
392. Far East Suite: Depk performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:38
393. Far East Suite: Mount Harissa performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 7:40
394. Far East Suite: Blue Pepper (Far East of... performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:59
395. Far East Suite: Agra performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:35
396. Far East Suite: Amad [Take 3] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:26
397. Far East Suite: Ad Lib on Nippon performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 11:34
398. Far East Suite: Tourist Point of View [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:57
399. Far East Suite: Bluebird of Delhi (Mynah) [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:08
400. Far East Suite: Isfahan [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:10
401. Far East Suite: Amad [alternate take] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:15
402. Take the "A" Train performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:37
403. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:36
404. Perdido performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:13
405. Mood Indigo performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 5:09
406. Black and Tan Fantasy performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 5:10
407. The Twitch performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:09
408. Solitude performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:34
409. Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 1:53
410. The Mooche (Ellington/Mills) - 5:34
411. Sophisticated Lady performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:01
412. Creole Love Call performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:55
413. Caravan [#] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 5:25
414. Wings & Things [#] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 1:57
415. Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me [#] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 1:56
416. House of Lords performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 5:37
417. The Second Portrait of the Lion performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:11
418. Take the "A" Train performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:22
419. Caravan performed by Ellington / Boston Pops Orchestra - 4:38
420. Mood Indigo performed by Ellington / Boston Pops Orchestra - 2:55
421. Love Scene [#] performed by Ellington / Boston Pops Orchestra - 2:24
422. The Mooche performed by Ellington / Boston Pops Orchestra - 5:23
423. I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart performed by Ellington / Boston Pops Orchestra - 2:47
424. I'm Beginning to See the Light performed by Ellington / Boston Pops Orchestra - 2:39
425. Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me performed by Ellington / Boston Pops Orchestra - 2:45
426. Sophisticated Lady performed by Ellington / Boston Pops Orchestra - 3:21
427. Timon of Athens March performed by Ellington / Boston Pops Orchestra - 3:09
428. Solitude performed by Ellington / Boston Pops Orchestra - 3:00
429. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) performed by Ellington / Boston Pops Orchestra - 4:12
430. Satin Doll performed by Ellington / Boston Pops Orchestra - 2:33
431. Single Petal of a Rose [#] performed by Ellington / Boston Pops Orchestra - 2:41
432. Snibor performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:13
433. Boo-Dah performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:26
434. Blood Count performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:16
435. U.M.M.G. (Upper Manhattan Medical Group) performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:13
436. Charpoy performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:06
437. After All performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:51
438. The Intimacy of the Blues performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:57
439. Rain Check [Take 6] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:35
440. Rain Check [#] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 5:22
441. Day Dream performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:23
442. Rock Skippin' at the Blue Note performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:01
443. All Day Long performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:56
444. Lotus Blossom [Take 1] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:54
445. Lotus Blossom performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:55
446. Smada [#] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:20
447. Smada [Take 4] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:18
448. Midriff performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:34
449. My Little Brown Book performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:11
450. Ocht O'Clock Rock performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:21
451. The Piano Player performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:05
452. Creole Love Call performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:28
453. Don't You Know I Care (Or Don't You Care... performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:30
454. I Can't Get Started performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 5:57
455. New York, New York performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:05
456. Pitter Panther Patter performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:30
457. How High the Moon performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:15
458. Basin Street Blues performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 2:55
459. Tiger Rag performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:55
460. Soso performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:45
461. Meditation performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 3:24
462. Mecuria, the Lion [#] performed by Ellington, Duke And His Orchestra - 4:01


Duke Ellington
AKA Edward Kennedy Ellington
Born Apr 29, 1899 in Washington, D.C.
Died May 24, 1974 in New York, NY



by William Ruhlmann

Duke Ellington was the most important composer in the history of jazz as well as being
a bandleader who held his large group together continuously for almost 50 years.

The two aspects of his career were related; Ellington used his band as a musical laboratory
for his new compositions and shaped his writing specifically to showcase the talents of his
bandmembers, many of whom remained with him for long periods. Ellington also wrote film
scores and stage musicals, and several of his instrumental works were adapted into songs
that became standards.

In addition to touring year in and year out, he recorded extensively, resulting in a gigantic
body of work that was still being assessed a quarter century after his death.

Ellington was the son of a White House butler, James Edward Ellington, and thus grew up in
comfortable surroundings.

He began piano lessons at age seven and was writing music by his teens.
He dropped out of high school in his junior year in 1917 to pursue a career in music.
At first, he booked and performed in bands in the Washington, D.C., area, but in September 1923
the Washingtonians, a five-piece group of which he was a member, moved permanently to New York,
where they gained a residency in the Times Square venue The Hollywood Club (later The Kentucky Club).

They made their first recordings in November 1924, and cut tunes for different record companies
under a variety of pseudonyms, so that several current major labels, notably Sony, Universal, and BMG,
now have extensive holdings of their work from the period in their archives, which are reissued periodically.

The group gradually increased in size and came under Ellington's leadership.
They played in what was called "jungle" style, their sly arrangements often highlighted by
the muted growling sound of trumpeter James "Bubber" Miley.
A good example of this is Ellington's first signature song, "East St. Louis Toodle-oo,"
which the band first recorded for Vocalion Records in November 1926, and which became
their first chart single in a re-recorded version for Columbia in July 1927.

The Ellington band moved uptown to The Cotton Club in Harlem on December 4, 1927.
Their residency at the famed club, which lasted more than three years, made Ellington
a nationally known musician due to radio broadcasts that emanated from the bandstand.
In 1928, he had two two-sided hits: "Black and Tan Fantasy"/"Creole Love Call" on Victor
(now BMG) and "Doin' the New Low Down"/"Diga Diga Doo" on OKeh (now Sony), released as
by the Harlem Footwarmers. "The Mooche" on OKeh peaked in the charts at the start of 1929.

While maintaining his job at The Cotton Club, Ellington took his band downtown to play in the
Broadway musical Show Girl, featuring the music of George Gershwin, in the summer of 1929.

The following summer, the band took a leave of absence to head out to California and appear in the
film Check and Double Check.

From the score, "Three Little Words," with vocals by the Rhythm Boys featuring Bing Crosby,
became a number one hit on Victor in November 1930; its flip side, "Ring Dem Bells," also reached the charts.

The Ellington band left The Cotton Club in February 1931 to begin a tour that, in a sense, would not end until the leader's death 43 years later. At the same time, Ellington scored a Top Five hit with an instrumental version of one of his standards, "Mood Indigo" released on Victor. The recording was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. As "the Jungle Band," the Ellington Orchestra charted on Brunswick later in 1931 with "Rockin' in Rhythm" and with the lengthy composition "Creole Rhapsody," pressed on both sides of a 78 single, an indication that Ellington's goals as a writer were beginning to extend beyond brief works. (A second version of the piece was a chart entry on Victor in March 1932.) "Limehouse Blues" was a chart entry on Victor in August 1931, then in the winter of 1932, Ellington scored a Top Ten hit on Brunswick with one of his best-remembered songs, "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)," featuring the vocals of Ivie Anderson. This was still more than three years before the official birth of the swing era, and Ellington helped give the period its name. Ellington's next major hit was another signature song for him, "Sophisticated Lady." His instrumental version became a Top Five hit in the spring of 1933, with its flip side, a treatment of "Stormy Weather," also making the Top Five.

The Ellington Orchestra made another feature film, Murder at the Vanities, in the spring of 1934.
Their instrumental rendition of "Cocktails for Two" from the score hit number one on Victor in May,
and they hit the Top Five with both sides of the Brunswick release "Moon Glow"/"Solitude" that fall.
The band also appeared in the Mae West film Belle of the Nineties and played on the soundtrack of Many
Happy Returns.
Later in the fall, the band was back in the Top Ten with "Saddest Tale," and they had two Top Ten
hits in 1935, "Merry-Go-Round" and "Accent on Youth."
While the latter was scoring in the hit parade in September, Ellington recorded another of his
extended compositions, "Reminiscing in Tempo," which took up both sides of two 78s.
Even as he became more ambitious, however, he was rarely out of the hit parade, scoring another
Top Ten hit, "Cotton," in the fall of 1935, and two more, "Love Is Like a Cigarette" and "Oh Babe!
Maybe Someday," in 1936.
The band returned to Hollywood in 1936 and recorded music for the Marx Brothers' film
A Day at the Races and for Hit Parade of 1937.
Meanwhile, they were scoring Top Ten hits with "Scattin' at the Kit-Kat" and the swing
standard "Caravan," co-written by valve trombonist Juan Tizol, and Ellington was continuing
to pen extended instrumental works such as "Diminuendo in Blue" and "Crescendo in Blue." "
If You Were in My Place (What Would You Do?)," a vocal number featuring Ivie Anderson, was
a Top Ten hit in the spring of 1938, and Ellington scored his third number one hit in April
with an instrumental version of another standard, "I Let a Song Go out of My Heart."
In the fall, he was back in the Top Ten with a version of the British show tune "Lambeth Walk."

The Ellington band underwent several notable changes at the end of the 1930s. After several years recording more or less regularly for Brunswick, Ellington moved to Victor. In early 1939 Billy Strayhorn, a young composer, arranger, and pianist, joined the organization. He did not usually perform with the orchestra, but he became Ellington's composition partner to the extent that soon it was impossible to tell where Ellington's writing left off and Strayhorn's began. Two key personnel changes strengthened the outfit with the acquisition of bassist Jimmy Blanton in September and tenor saxophonist Ben Webster in December. Their impact on Ellington's sound was so profound that their relatively brief tenure has been dubbed "the Blanton-Webster Band" by jazz fans. These various changes were encapsulated by the Victor release of Strayhorn's "Take the 'A' Train," a swing era standard, in the summer of 1941. The recording was later inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

That same summer, Ellington was in Los Angeles, where his stage musical, Jump for Joy, opened on July 10 and ran for 101 performances. Unfortunately, the show never went to Broadway, but among its songs was "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)," another standard. The U.S. entry into World War II in December 1941 and the onset of the recording ban called by the American Federation of Musicians in August 1942 slowed the Ellington band's momentum. Unable to record and with touring curtailed, Ellington found an opportunity to return to extended composition with the first of a series of annual recitals at Carnegie Hall on January 23, 1943, at which he premiered "Black, Brown and Beige." And he returned to the movies, appearing in Cabin in the Sky and Reveille with Beverly. Meanwhile, the record labels, stymied for hits, began looking into their artists' back catalogs. Lyricist Bob Russell took Ellington's 1940 composition "Never No Lament" and set a lyric to it, creating "Don't Get Around Much Anymore." The Ink Spots scored with a vocal version (recorded a cappella), and Ellington's three-year-old instrumental recording was also a hit, reaching the pop Top Ten and number one on the recently instituted R&B charts. Russell repeated his magic with another 1940 Ellington instrumental, "Concerto for Cootie" (a showcase for trumpeter Cootie Williams), creating "Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me." Nearly four years after it was recorded, the retitled recording hit the pop Top Ten and number one on the R&B charts for Ellington in early 1944, while newly recorded vocal cover versions also scored. Ellington's vintage recordings became ubiquitous on the top of the R&B charts during 1943-1944; he also hit number one with "A Slip of the Lip (Can Sink a Ship)," "Sentimental Lady," and "Main Stem." With the end of the recording ban in November 1944, Ellington was able to record a song he had composed with his saxophonist, Johnny Hodges, set to a lyric by Don George and Harry James, "I'm Beginning to See the Light." The James recording went to number one in April 1945, but Ellington's recording was also a Top Ten hit.

With the end of the war, Ellington's period as a major commercial force on records largely came to an end, but unlike other big bandleaders, who disbanded as the swing era passed, Ellington, who predated the era, simply went on touring, augmenting his diminished road revenues with his songwriting royalties to keep his band afloat. In a musical climate in which jazz was veering away from popular music and toward bebop, and popular music was being dominated by singers, the Ellington band no longer had a place at the top of the business; but it kept working. And Ellington kept trying more extended pieces. In 1946, he teamed with lyricist John Latouche to write the music for the Broadway musical Beggar's Holiday, which opened on December 26 and ran 108 performances. And he wrote his first full-length background score for a feature film with 1950's The Asphalt Jungle.

The first half of the 1950s was a difficult period for Ellington, who suffered many personnel defections. (Some of those musicians returned later.) But the band made a major comeback at the Newport Jazz Festival on July 7, 1956, when they kicked into a version of "Dimuendo and Crescendo in Blue" that found saxophonist Paul Gonsalves taking a long, memorable solo. Ellington appeared on the cover of Time magazine, and he signed a new contract with Columbia Records, which released Ellington at Newport, the best-selling album of his career. Freed of the necessity of writing hits and spurred by the increased time available on the LP record, Ellington concentrated more on extended compositions for the rest of his career. His comeback as a live performer led to increased opportunities to tour, and in the fall of 1958 he undertook his first full-scale tour of Europe. For the rest of his life, he would be a busy world traveler.

Ellington appeared in and scored the 1959 film Anatomy of a Murder, and its soundtrack won him three of the newly instituted Grammy Awards, for best performance by a dance band, best musical composition of the year, and best soundtrack. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his next score, Paris Blues (1961). In August 1963, his stage work My People, a cavalcade of African-American history, was mounted in Chicago as part of the Century of Negro Progress Exposition.

Meanwhile, of course, he continued to lead his band in recordings and live performances. He switched from Columbia to Frank Sinatra's Reprise label (purchased by Warner Bros. Records) and made some pop-oriented records that dismayed his fans but indicated he had not given up on broad commercial aspirations. Nor had he abandoned his artistic aspirations, as the first of his series of sacred concerts, performed at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco on September 16, 1965, indicated. And he still longed for a stage success, turning once again to Broadway with the musical Pousse-Caf?which opened on March 18, 1966, but closed within days. Three months later, the Sinatra film Assault on a Queen, with an Ellington score, opened in movie houses around the country. (His final film score, for Change of Mind, appeared in 1969.)

Ellington became a Grammy favorite in his later years. He won a 1966 Grammy for best original jazz composition for "In the Beginning, God," part of his sacred concerts. His 1967 album Far East Suite, inspired by a tour of the Middle and Far East, won the best instrumental jazz performance Grammy that year, and he took home his sixth Grammy in the same category in 1969 for And His Mother Called Him Bill, a tribute to Strayhorn, who had died in 1967. "New Orleans Suite" earned another Grammy in the category in 1971, as did "Togo Brava Suite" in 1972, and the posthumous The Ellington Suites in 1976.

Ellington continued to perform regularly until he was overcome by illness in the spring of 1974, succumbing to lung cancer and pneumonia. His death did not end the band, which was taken over by his son Mercer, who led it until his own death in 1996, and then by a grandson. Meanwhile, Ellington finally enjoyed the stage hit he had always wanted when the revue Sophisticated Ladies, featuring his music, opened on Broadway on March 1, 1981, and ran 767 performances.

The many celebrations of the Ellington centenary in 1999 demonstrated that he continued to be regarded as the major composer of jazz. If that seemed something of an anomaly in a musical style that emphasizes spontaneous improvisation over written composition, Ellington was talented enough to overcome the oddity. He wrote primarily for his band, allowing his veteran players room to solo within his compositions, and as a result created a body of work that seemed likely to help jazz enter the academic and institutional realms, which was very much its direction at the end of the 20th century. In that sense, he foreshadowed the future of jazz and could lay claim to being one of its most influential practitioners.

related torrents

Ella Fitzgerald The Duke Ellington Songbook (FLAC)

582.22 MB

Ronnie Earl & Duke Robillard The Duke Meets The Earl

101.41 MB

The Duke Ellington Classical Suites

373.64 MB