Duke Ellington

This release compiles a rare batch of small group studio sessions recorded by Duke Ellington between 1956 and 1958, including eight amazing quartet tracks with Paul Gonsalves, as well as quintets, sextets and septets, showcasing not only the Duke’s amazing talents but also those of his selected soloists. As a bonus, we have added three orchestral tracks that complete the 1956 septet session.

Tracks:1. In A Mellow Tone (Take 1), 2. In A Mellow Tone (Take 2), 3. Happy Reunion (Take 1), 4. Happy Reunion (Take 2), 5. Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue, 6. Wailing ‘Bout, 7. I Cover The Waterfront, 8. Deep Blues, 9. Circle Of Fours, 10. Perdido, 11. The Riff, 12. Bluer, 13. Slow Blues Ensemble, 14. Blues A La Willie Cook, 15. Three Trumps (Aka Spacemen), 16. Way Back Blues, 17. Where’s The Music?, 18. Rubber Bottom, 19. Play The Blues And Go, 20. Prelude To A Kiss , 21. Miss Lucy, 22. March 19th Blues.

TOTAL TIME: 76:05

*BONUS TRACKS [20-22] : ORCHESTRA:
Same session and personnel as 16-19 with the addition of Willie Cook, Cat Anderson, Ray Nance (tp), Britt Woodman, Quentin Jackson (tb), Russell Procope (as, cl), Paul Gonsalves (ts) & Harry Carney (bs).

Duke Ellington, piano on all tracks, plus:
[1-8] Quartet : Paul Gonsalves (ts), Jimmy Woode (b), Sam Woodyard (d). Chicago, June 24, 1958 (1 to 5) & Jan. 17-29, 1957 (6 to 8).

[9-10] Quintet : Same as above except Clark Terry (tp) added. Chicago, January 29, 1957.

[11-13] Septet : Same as above except Ray Nance & Willie Cook (tp) added. Chicago, January 17-29, 1957.

[14] Quintet : Same As Above Except Paul Gonsalves & Clark Terry omitted. Chicago, January 29, 1957.

[15] Sextet : Same As Above Except Clark Terry (tp) Added. Chicago, January 29, 1957.

[16-19] Septet : Clark Terry (tp), John Sanders (v-tb), Jimmy Hamilton (cl), Johnny Hodges (as), Jimmy Woode (b), Sam Woodyard (d). Chicago, March 19, 1956.