These tributes feature outstanding Ducal performances
from 78 rpm discs, a restored STEREO recording from 1932, and
some of the finest recent Trad Jazz bands performing his music.
In 1999 JAZZ RHYTHM celebrated the Centenary of Duke Ellington's birth, April 29, 1899.
Besides
Ellington recordings ranging from 1929 to the early 1970s you will hear
the recollections of Mercer Ellington, Rex Stewart and the Duke read by
actors Jill Eikenberry, Michael Tucker, and voice actor Joe Hughes.
ELLINGTON 1999 Pt 1A.mp3 BLACK BEAUTY -- Tomas Ornberg’s Blue Five, 1981 SATURDAY NIGHT FUNCTION -- Chicago Rhythm, 1982 SATURDAY NIGHT FUNCTION -- rare 78 RPM, 1929 DOIN THE VOOM VOOM -- rare 78 RPM, 1929 DOIN’ THE VOOM VOOM -- Papa Bue’s Viking Jazz Band, New Orleans, 1969 MEDLEY: Ellington in Stereo 1932: EAST ST. LOUIS TOODLE-OO LOTS O’ FINGERS BLACK AND TAN FANTASY
ELLINGTON 1999 Pt 1B.mp3 RENT PARTY BLUES -- Tomas Ornberg’s Blue Five, 1981 ITS GLORY -- rare 78 RPM, 1931 MISTY MORNING -- rare 78 RPM, 1928 MISTY MORNING -- Black Eagle Jazz Band, 1984 THE DUKE STEPS OUT -- rare 78 RPM, 1929 DUCKY WUCKY -- rare 78 RPM, 1932 SWEET JAZZ O’MINE -- rare 78 RPM, 1930
(NOTE: Part Two in this series is temporarily missing in action.)
Part 3 features the more impressionistic, symphonic and experimental recordings of Ellington from later years.
(All selections are Duke Ellington, piano, composer and arranger, with Billy Strayhorn, accompanied by various ensembles.)
ELLINGTON 1999 Pt 3A.mp3 NIGHT CREATURE (Movements 1-3) -- with symphony orchestra, Stockholm & Paris, c.1963 SUCH SWEET THUNDER -- Stratford, Ontario] 1957 TANG -- 1971 IN A SENTIMENTAL MOOD -- . . . soloist Stephane Grappelli, 1976 STEVIE -- . . . & John Coltrane, 1962 WEST INDIAN PANCAKE -- . . . featuring Paul Gonsalves, n.d
ELLINGTON 1999 Pt 3B.mp3 SUGAR RUM CHERRY - (Tchaikovsky arr. Ellington/Strayhorn), 1960 CHINOISERIE (Chinese Dance) -- (Tchaikovsky arr. Ellington/Strayhorn), 1960 SONNET IN SEARCH OF A MOOR -- [Shakespeare Festival] 1957 ZWEET ZURSDAY -- from “Suite Thursday,” 1962 FRAGMENTED SUITE FOR PIANO & BASS (first movement) -- duet w/ Ray Brown, bass, 1973 AFRIQUE -- “Afro-Eurasian Eclipse” 1971
Part 4 focuses on stellar Ellingtonians: saxist, Ben Webster,
triple-threat Ray Nance playing trumpet, violin and singing, and Mercer
Ellington's recollections of bassist Wellman Braud. (All selections are Duke Ellington and his Orchestra.)
ELLINGTON 1999 Pt 4A.mp3 ROCKIN’ IN RHYTHM -- 1930 KINDA DUKISH/ROCKIN’ IN RHYTHM -- LONDON 1963 HARLEM AIRSHAFT -- 1940 MOOD INDIGO -- 1930 BLACK AND TAN FANTASY -- 1927 DEAR OLD SOUTHLAND -- 1933 OLD MAN BLUES -- 1930 DOUBLE CHECK STOMP -- 1930
ELLINGTON 1999 Pt 4B.mp3 PORTRAIT OF WELLMAN BRAUD -- 1970 HONEYSUCKLE ROSE -- Ray Nance feat. vln.; Fargo N. Dakota Live, 1940 WHAM REBOP BOOM BAM -- Ray Nance voc; Fargo N. Dakota Live, 1940 COTTONTAIL -- 1940 PERDIDO -- 1942 CONGA BRAVA -- 1940 ROCKIN’ IN RHYTHM -- 1930
Part 5 highlights vocalist Ivie Anderson; Johnny Hodges, alto sax;
bassist Jimmy Blanton and the recollections of trumpeter Rex Stewart.
(All selections Duke Ellington and his Orchestra except where noted.)
ELLINGTON 1999 Pt 5A.mp3 CARNIVAL IN CAROLINE -- Ivie Anderson, vocal, 4/38, live at the Cotton Club OH BABE, MAYBE SOMEDAY -- Ivie Anderson, vocal, 3/38, live at the Cotton Club STORMY WEATHER -- Ivie Anderson, vocal, 1940 KILLIN’ MYSELF -- Ive Anderson, vocal, 1939 HODGE PODGE -- Johnny Hodges and his Orchestra, 1938 THE GAL FROM JOE’s -- Johnny Hodges w/ Billy Strayhorn & Orchestra, 1961 JEEP’S BLUES -- Johnny Hodges w/ Billy Strayhorn & Orchestra, 1961 JEEP’S BLUES -- Johnny Hodges and his Orchestra, 1938 WARM VALLEY -- 1940
ELLINGTON 1999 Pt 5B.mp3 PORTRAIT OF SIDNEY BECHET -- c. 1970 BOJANGLES -- 1940 PITTER PANTHER PATTER -- duet with Jimmy Blanton bass, Ellington, piano MOBILE BAY -- Rex Stewart and his Orch, 1940 CARAVAN -- Live at the Cotton Club, 3/37 HARMONY IN HARLEM -- Live at the Cotton Club, 5/38
