Mulgrew Miller

2-CD DIGIPACK EDITION

Danish designer and artist Per Arnoldi talked also Danish Hi-Fi Bang & Olufsen and NHOP into producing a promotional CD for B&O to commemorate what would have been Ellington's 100th birthday in 1999. NHOP selected Mulgrew Miller, whom he had heard but never played with (as it was suggested by promoter Jordi Suñol) to play as a duo in the manner of the Duke Ellington-Jimmy Blanton famous duets of 1941. Mulgrew had played piano for the Ellington Orchestra (under the direction of Mercer Ellington) and was, as well, a great connoisseur of Duke’s music.

Niels-henning Orsted Pedersen and Mulgrew Miller got together for the first time in 1999 at Studio 3 of the Radiohuset in Copenhagen to record ‘The Duets’, a wonderful album (and their only documented collaboration – until now). From the moment they met and played they hit it off with a profundity in their interplay that demands talent and many years of experience as a musician. This album, however, was never sold. It was given as a gift to selected customers in Bang & Olufsen stores.

The agreement with B & O also included sponsorship for concert presentations all over the world. It became a very successful duo and as a result it was asked to perform at some of the most prestigious venues and festivals. The music on this CD was recorded at the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague on July 15th, 2000 and has never been released before. Along with the Bang & Olufsen promotional CD is the sole documented collaboration between these two fantastic musicians.

PERSONNEL:

MULGREW MILLER, piano
NIELS HENNING ORSTED PEDERSEN, bass

Recorded live by Dutch National Radio, July 15, 2000 at North Sea Jazz Festival.

CD 1:

01. Whisper Not
02. Sophisticated Lady
03. Mood Indigo
04. All The Things You Are
05. Take The A Train

Total time: 50:50 min.

CD 2:

01. I’m Old Fashioned
02. In My Solitude
03. Autumn Leave
04. Caravan

Total time: 43:35