Beyond the “Usual Suspects” once more (Podcast #19-021)

Most Duke Ellington tribute concerts and recordings rely on just a handful of his compositions (Mood Indigo, Satin Doll, In A Sentimental Mood, etc.). The Duke Ellington Society refers  to these songs as “the usual suspects.” While they are worthy … Continue reading



1959 holiday card


Most Duke Ellington tribute concerts and recordings rely on just a handful of his compositions (Mood Indigo, Satin Doll, In A Sentimental Mood, etc.). The Duke Ellington Society refers  to these songs as “the usual suspects.” While they are worthy of their status as standards, Ellington wrote thousands of compositions; there is plenty of his oeuvre that is ripe for exploration!


Despite having a major new work to  promote (Such Sweet Thunder), in this 1957 television appearance Ellington has to take time away from it in order to play a greatest hits medley (aka “The Usual Suspects”).




The recordings heard on this podcast episode:



highlightsAll Too Soon (CD: “Highlights of the Great 1940-1942” Avid EMSC1143)

Recorded 22 July 1940, New York City

Wallace Jones, Cootie Williams, Rex Stewart – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwicke, Ben Webster, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Jimmie Blanton – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.


earl hinesAll Too Soon (CD: “Jazz Royalty: Earl Hines Plays Duke Ellington” Soul Note ‎SN 1170)

Recorded 18 March 1974, New York City

Earl Hines – piano.


early ellington rcaCotton Club Stomp (CD:  Early Ellington (1927 – 1934), Bluebird 6852-2-RB)

Recorded 3 May 1929, New York City

Arthur Whetsel, Cootie Williams, Freddie Jenkins – trumpet; Joe Nanton – trombone; Barney Bigard, Otto Hardwicke, Harry Carney – reeds;  Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – banjo; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.


bug musicCotton Club Stomp (CD: “Bug Music” Nonesuch 79438-2)

Recorded May 1996 in New York City

Charles Lewis, James Zollar, Steve Bernstein –trumpet; Craig Harris – trombone; Don Byron, Steve Wilson, Robert DeBellis – reeds; Paul Meyers – banjo; Kenny Davis – bass; Pheeroan akLaff – drums.


traneTake the Coltrane (CD: “Duke Ellington & John Coltrane” MCA MCAD-39103)

Recorded 26 September 1962, New York City

John Coltrane – tenor sax; Duke Ellington – piano; Jimmy Garrison – bass; Elvin Jones – drums.


David Murray The HillTake the Coltrane (CD: “The Hill” MCA MCAD-39103)

Recorded 29 November 1986, New York City

David Murray – tenor sax; Richard Davis – bass; Joe Chambers – drums.


220px-Midnight_in_Paris_(album)Paris Blues (CD: “Midnight in Paris” Sony Music COL4684032)

Recorded 30 January 1962, New York City

Bill Berry, Harold “Shorty” Baker, Cat Anderson, Ray Nance  – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Leon Cox, Chuck Connors – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Aaron Bell – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.


steve lacy gil evansParis Blues (CD: “Paris Blues” Sunnyside Records SSC 3505,)

Recorded 30 November/1 December 1987, Paris

Steve Lacy – soprano sax; Gil Evans – electric piano.


centennial editionAcht O’Clock Rock (CD: “Duke Ellington, The Centennial Edition” RCA Victor ‎– 09026-63386-2)

Recorded 15 November 1967, San Francisco

Cootie Williams, Cat Anderson, Herbie Jones, Mercer Ellington – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Jeff Castleman – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.


red hot indigo

Acht O’Clock Rock (CD: “Red Hot + Indigo” Kinetic Records RHO-13IND)

Recorded

Steven Bernstein – trumpet; Don Byron – clarinet; Art Baron – trombone; John Medeski – piano; Chris Wood – bass; Billy Martin – drums.


jingle bell jazzJingle Bells (CD: “Jingle Bell Jazz” Columbia CK 40166)

Recorded 21 June 1962, New York City

Bill Berry, Roy Burrowes, Cat Anderson, Ray Nance  – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Britt Woodman, Chuck Connors – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Aaron Bell – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.


recollections2Auld Lang Syne (CD: “Recollections of the Big Band Era”  Atlantic Jazz  7 90043-2)

Recorded 29 December 1962, New York City

Cootie Williams, Roy Burrowes, Cat Anderson, Ray Nance  – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Britt Woodman, Chuck Connors – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Ernie Shepard – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.