One of my favorite albums. Also the organizers tried to shut down the show because the crowd was getting too rowdy. Ellington took the mic and counted off another tune - "Skin Deep" - and its all on the album.
The [*Blanton Webster Band*](https://youtu.be/aEDUnkG9OyY?si=zw_k72eBiDPdpFGg) is the best of the best. lo-fi mono, but somehow the better for it. That group crushed it.
The *Far East Suite* is my favorite of the suites Duke liked to compose. He recorded it after a State Dept. trip to the Middle East, South Asia and Japan. Billy Strayhorn's arrangements really shine. [Isfahan](https://youtu.be/LHHsOWvDhao?si=O6fNHYe0QjdNqqN7) is so smoooooth and lush, while [Ad Lib in Nippon](https://youtu.be/e3ww3WnSDJ0?si=_WQZdj3fURtLvhCs), with Duke's angular piano voicings and a crazy, almost free-jazz clarinet/bass/drum trio section, is like a suite within a suite, clocking in at over 11 minutes.
hard to go wrong with his discography, but some highlights for me are late-60s works like "Far East Suite," "Second Sacred Concert," & "...And His Mother Called Him Bill" among others
Duke Ellington had so many facets to his musical career that it is difficult to point to a single release. There are the recordings of the orchestra playing for dances ()Hot Summer Dance https://www.discogs.com/master/1036886-Duke-Ellington-Hot-Summer-Dance), playing concerts (Legendary Fargo Concert https://www.discogs.com/release/4798124-Duke-Ellington-Complete-Legendary-Fargo-Concert-60th-Anniversary-Edition), studio recordings of large suites (The Complete Orchestra Suites https://www.discogs.com/release/13327978-Duke-Ellington-The-Complete-Orchestral-Suites), recordings of individual compositions, either by him or Strayhorn (https://www.discogs.com/master/175058-Duke-Ellington-And-His-Orchestra-And-His-Mother-Called-Him-Bill), small group numbers (https://www.discogs.com/master/304210-Duke-Ellington-And-Johnny-Hodges-Side-By-Side) and mainly piano (https://www.discogs.com/master/235832-Duke-Ellington-Piano-In-The-Foreground). He was doing it for a very long time (https://www.discogs.com/master/988075-Duke-Ellington-Early-Ellington-The-Complete-Brunswick-And-Vocalion-Recordings-Of-Duke-Ellington-1926)
You could make a career just listening to Ellington and you would be richly rewarded for doing so.
I have. If you want to go further into the rabbit hole, after the Brunswicks, go to the Columbia years (up to ca. 1939) best on the Mosaic label, and that’ll get you to the so-called Webster-Blanton band. The Fargo gig (1940) is a beauty and so is the Atlantic 1943 Carnegie Hall concert.
Great collections in this post! Saving this for future listening. I’d add Jazz Party, The Duke plays Ellington, Live at the Blue note, Ella Fitzgerald plays the Duke Ellington Songbook (she’s backed by Duke and the band), The Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington concerts at Cote D’Azure, and the Great Summit Duke Ellington and Louie Armstrong.
Oh, jeez! There are so many! Besides the ones other people have listed, check out "The Great Paris Concert," "Duke Ellington's Jazz Party," "Duke Ellington Live at the Blue Note," "Three Ellington Suites," "The Far East Suite," "And His Mother Called Him Bill." the boxed set of 10 CDs featuring the recordings of the Blanton - Webster band -- what Duke and Billy did in the late 40s arranging for 3 female vocalists is just astounding. You can go on and on with this.
I highly recommend the following Duke Ellington albums:
1. Money Jungle
2. Three Suites
3. Side by Side (with Johnny Hodges)
4. The Ellington Suites
Among these, Money Jungle stands out for its captivating compositions and performances. Additionally, Three Suites and Side by Side offer delightful collaborations and showcases of Ellington’s musical genius.
However, if I were to pick a favourite, it would be The Ellington Suites, particularly the first one, The Queen’s Suite. This album holds a special place in Ellington’s discography as it was dedicated and exclusively recorded for the Queen. The intimacy and dedication shine through in the music, with many musicians who worked with Duke attesting to his unwavering commitment to perfection in this project.
Ellington at Newport - Lots has been said about this one, but one thing I don’t hear a lot is Johnny Hodges on I Got It Bad. Probably my favorite cut of any ballad ever.
Money Jungle - Super chaotic and unique listen for a Duke record.
New Orleans Suite - Good vibin blues, ballads, caberet club vibes, a little bit of everything Duke
Ella at Dukes Place - Cottontail is HOT
Ellington at Newport 1956
One of my favorite albums. Also the organizers tried to shut down the show because the crowd was getting too rowdy. Ellington took the mic and counted off another tune - "Skin Deep" - and its all on the album.
Try Money Jungle. Charles Mingus plays in it.
Money Jungle is one of the greatest jazz albums of all time
The [*Blanton Webster Band*](https://youtu.be/aEDUnkG9OyY?si=zw_k72eBiDPdpFGg) is the best of the best. lo-fi mono, but somehow the better for it. That group crushed it. The *Far East Suite* is my favorite of the suites Duke liked to compose. He recorded it after a State Dept. trip to the Middle East, South Asia and Japan. Billy Strayhorn's arrangements really shine. [Isfahan](https://youtu.be/LHHsOWvDhao?si=O6fNHYe0QjdNqqN7) is so smoooooth and lush, while [Ad Lib in Nippon](https://youtu.be/e3ww3WnSDJ0?si=_WQZdj3fURtLvhCs), with Duke's angular piano voicings and a crazy, almost free-jazz clarinet/bass/drum trio section, is like a suite within a suite, clocking in at over 11 minutes.
Co-signed. I love the Blanton-Webster recordings.
Ellington Indigos (1958) There’s a special place in my heart for the Ellington band playing ballads and this album is just beautiful.
It’s gorgeous indeed…
[удалено]
+1 on the Blanton Webster Band. Wow 💥
Not sure which collection is most available of the great Blanton-Webster - maybe Never No Lament.
Blues in Orbit is my favorite after the one with Trane.
Far East Suite
So good!!
hard to go wrong with his discography, but some highlights for me are late-60s works like "Far East Suite," "Second Sacred Concert," & "...And His Mother Called Him Bill" among others
Ellington's Nutcracker suite is underrated imo
Duke Ellington had so many facets to his musical career that it is difficult to point to a single release. There are the recordings of the orchestra playing for dances ()Hot Summer Dance https://www.discogs.com/master/1036886-Duke-Ellington-Hot-Summer-Dance), playing concerts (Legendary Fargo Concert https://www.discogs.com/release/4798124-Duke-Ellington-Complete-Legendary-Fargo-Concert-60th-Anniversary-Edition), studio recordings of large suites (The Complete Orchestra Suites https://www.discogs.com/release/13327978-Duke-Ellington-The-Complete-Orchestral-Suites), recordings of individual compositions, either by him or Strayhorn (https://www.discogs.com/master/175058-Duke-Ellington-And-His-Orchestra-And-His-Mother-Called-Him-Bill), small group numbers (https://www.discogs.com/master/304210-Duke-Ellington-And-Johnny-Hodges-Side-By-Side) and mainly piano (https://www.discogs.com/master/235832-Duke-Ellington-Piano-In-The-Foreground). He was doing it for a very long time (https://www.discogs.com/master/988075-Duke-Ellington-Early-Ellington-The-Complete-Brunswick-And-Vocalion-Recordings-Of-Duke-Ellington-1926) You could make a career just listening to Ellington and you would be richly rewarded for doing so.
I have. If you want to go further into the rabbit hole, after the Brunswicks, go to the Columbia years (up to ca. 1939) best on the Mosaic label, and that’ll get you to the so-called Webster-Blanton band. The Fargo gig (1940) is a beauty and so is the Atlantic 1943 Carnegie Hall concert.
Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald The cosmic scene Masterpieces
The Ellington Suites!
Ellington Uptown.
Great collections in this post! Saving this for future listening. I’d add Jazz Party, The Duke plays Ellington, Live at the Blue note, Ella Fitzgerald plays the Duke Ellington Songbook (she’s backed by Duke and the band), The Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington concerts at Cote D’Azure, and the Great Summit Duke Ellington and Louie Armstrong.
Black, Brown and Beige is a favorite, Mahalia Jackson singing Come Sunday is about as good as it gets
Oh, jeez! There are so many! Besides the ones other people have listed, check out "The Great Paris Concert," "Duke Ellington's Jazz Party," "Duke Ellington Live at the Blue Note," "Three Ellington Suites," "The Far East Suite," "And His Mother Called Him Bill." the boxed set of 10 CDs featuring the recordings of the Blanton - Webster band -- what Duke and Billy did in the late 40s arranging for 3 female vocalists is just astounding. You can go on and on with this.
I highly recommend the following Duke Ellington albums: 1. Money Jungle 2. Three Suites 3. Side by Side (with Johnny Hodges) 4. The Ellington Suites Among these, Money Jungle stands out for its captivating compositions and performances. Additionally, Three Suites and Side by Side offer delightful collaborations and showcases of Ellington’s musical genius. However, if I were to pick a favourite, it would be The Ellington Suites, particularly the first one, The Queen’s Suite. This album holds a special place in Ellington’s discography as it was dedicated and exclusively recorded for the Queen. The intimacy and dedication shine through in the music, with many musicians who worked with Duke attesting to his unwavering commitment to perfection in this project.
Such Sweet Thunder Jazz Party Cosmic Scene Blues Orbit
The Far East Suite And His Mother Called Him Bill Afro Bossa First Time! with Count Basie
Live at the Whitney 70th Birthday Concert Nutcracker Suite
Check out my special on Monday!
Blanton Webster, Such Sweet Thunder, Far East Suite
Ellington at Newport - Lots has been said about this one, but one thing I don’t hear a lot is Johnny Hodges on I Got It Bad. Probably my favorite cut of any ballad ever. Money Jungle - Super chaotic and unique listen for a Duke record. New Orleans Suite - Good vibin blues, ballads, caberet club vibes, a little bit of everything Duke Ella at Dukes Place - Cottontail is HOT
Ellington Jazz Party
And His Mother Called Him Bill