Recently updated
Another “Happy Reunion.”
“Something” for Duke Ellington’s birthday
“Something” is the fourth section of The Goutleas Suite, recorded April 27, 1971. The suite memorializes Ellington’s 1966 visit to the restored thirteenth-century Château de Goutelas.
On Duke Ellington’s birthday
A PBS documentary in two parts: A Duke Named Ellington. Great archival footage, great interviews with Ellington and other musicians.
Beyond categories
As Duke Ellington said.
Beyond category
Duke Ellington on the music of “his people.”
“Happy Reunion,” four times
Paul Gonsalves with Duke Ellington, from 1958, 1971, 1972, and 1973.
The Duke Ellington House
On St. Nicholas Avenue.
John Lamb, ninety
A short profile of the bassist.
Fran and Charles
Fran Lebowitz talks with Doug Doyle about her friendship with Charles Mingus (WBGO). With special appearances by Duke Ellington and an apple pancake.
On Duke Ellington’s birthday
Here’s a section of The Perfume Suite that became an audience-participation bit, “Dancers in Love” (aka “Stomp for Beginners”).
RAG
In today’s Los Angeles Times crossword, by Brian Thomas and Brooke Husic, the clue for 34-A, “Ellington composition,” is wildly off. The answer: RAG. No, just no.
The Queen’s Suite
The story goes that one copy of the 1959 recording was pressed and sent to Her Majesty.
Dusk, dusk, “Dusk”
It occurred to me last night, around dusk, that dusk is a beautiful word. Where is it from?
After Louis Armstrong’s birthday
Better late than never: here’s one of my favorite later Armstrong performances: “Azalea,” recorded on April 4, 1961. It’s a Duke Ellington composition, which Ellington wrote years before with Armstrong in mind.
Ellington at Uwis
Fifty years ago, July 17–21, 1972, it was Duke Ellington Week at the University of Wisconsin.
Jungle music
From Nella Larsen’s Quicksand, an unmistakable suggestion of the “jungle music” of the early Duke Ellington.
Harry Carney’s baritone
From WBUR, a nice feature on Harry Carney and the whereabouts of his baritone saxophone.
Who was Jack the Bear?
I may have located his tailor shop.
On Duke Ellington’s birthday
“Jack the Bear.”
Billy Strayhorn’s “Charlotte Russe”
Billy Strayhorn’s “Lotus Blossom” was at one time titled “Charlotte Russe.”
Recently updated
The oldest Ellingtonian? Eve Duke, earlier this year.
On Duke Ellington’s birthday
Symphonette and The UWIS Suite.
Ellington at Fargo
Eighty years ago yesterday, the Duke Ellington Orchestra played a dance at the Crystal Ballroom, Fargo, North Dakota.
On Duke Ellington’s birthday
Piano alone, a recital for television broadcast, taped in Paris, July 2, 1970. Ellington is in rare form.
Got it
Colbert, Batiste, and “Dancers in Love.”
Duke Ellington Live, a review
A DVD of a November 16, 1973 concert. It’s bittersweet to watch things nearing an end.
On Duke Ellington’s birthday
The cornetist Rex Stewart describes Ellington in the recording studio.
On Duke Ellington’s birthday
The cornetist Rex Stewart describes Ellington in the recording studio.
Got it
After Stephen Colbert joked about Donald Trump and an EMT's Heimlich skills, Jon Batiste commented with a couple of bars of Billy Strayhorn's "U.M.M.G.," whose title refers to the Upper Manhattan Medical Group. Arthur Logan, Duke Ellington's doctor, was a member. Someone got it.
Ellington on the air, 1932
From Newark’s WBGO-FM: an eight-minute fragment from a 1932 live radio broadcast of Duke Ellington and His Orchestra. It’s the earliest known recording of the Ellington band on the air.