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 category
Duke Ellington on the music of “his people.”
The Duke Ellington House
On St. Nicholas Avenue.
John Lamb, ninety
A short profile of the bassist.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Brooks Kerr (1951–2018)
Brooks Kerr, pianist and Duke Ellington scholar, has died at the age of sixty-six.
On Duke Ellington’s birthday, a random possible discovery
It may be coincidence, but a phrase that Bubber Miley plays and repeats in a 1927 recording sure sounds like the germ of Johnny Hodges’s “Good Queen Bess.”
On Duke Ellington’s birthday
“I am a musician who is a member of the American Federation of Labor, and who hopes one day to amount to something artistically.”
Maurice Peress (1930–2017)
A conductor known especially for his work with Leonard Bernstein and Duke Ellington.
“In a Sentimental Mood,” two takes
Ethan Iverson writes about Duke Ellington, Bill Evans, “In a Sentimental Mood,” and “scalar thought.”
Review: Duke Ellington, An Intimate Piano Session
These sixteen recordings, all made on August 25, 1972, are a considerable addition to the body of Ellington’s work as solo pianist and accompanist.
“E” is for Ellington
Up to “E” in my dad’s CDs. With “Melancholia” and “Reflections in D.”
Review: The Duke Box 2
I’m always in the mood for more Ellington.
Slavic Soul Party! Plays Duke Ellington’s “Far East Suite”
It is impossible to sit still when this record is on.
Duke Ellington and Paul Gonsalves, “Happy Reunion”
A 1972 performance with a backstory.
The oldest Ellingtonian?
Eve Duke, aka Eve Smith, aka Yvonne Lanauze, is still making music at the age of ninety-one.
Buster Cooper (1929–2016)
Trombonist, Ellingtonian.