Product Description:
Full title: The Best Of The Duke Ellington Centennial Edition: The Complete RCA Victor Recordings 1927-1973.
Personnel: Duke Ellington (piano, celeste); Ray Nance (vocals, trumpet, violin); Louis Armstrong (vocals, trumpet); Ivie Anderson, Claude Jones (vocals); Harry Carney (soprano, alto & baritone saxophones, clarinet); Jimmy Hamilton (alto & tenor saxophones, clarinet); Otto Hardwick (alto & baritone saxophones); Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone, clarinet); Barney Bigard (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Ben Webster, Don Byas (tenor saxophone); Mercer Ellington, Cat Anderson, Cootie Williams (trumpet); Joe Nanton, Lawrence Brown (trombone); Juan Tizol (valve trombone); Billy Strayhorn (piano); Fred Guy (guitar, banjo); Jimmy Blanton, Wellman Braud (bass); Sonny Greer, Sam Woodyard (drums); The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.
Compilation producers: Steven Lasker, Orrin Keepnews.
Includes liner notes by Joshua Sherman.
Digitally remastered by Dennis Ferrante.
Duke Ellington was one of the greatest figures in jazz and American history. He was a great composer and bandleader (who wrote for the individual strengths of his soloists), and a fine, under-recognized pianist. Ellington recorded off and on for RCA-Victor from 1927 to the late '60s, and the Centennial Edition has it all. But for those who can't afford a hefty box set, this sampler will do nicely.
Nearly all of the Duke's hits are here (including "Take the 'A' Train" and "Mood Indigo"), most of which have long ago become standards. The lesser-known gems are here as well, like "Jack the Bear" and the exotic "Isfahan." The latter proves that while most of the survivors from the swing era ('30s/'40s) were content to peddle nostalgia (1966), Ellington was still composing thoughtful, intricate works. Swing, elegance, imagination, beauty, cool, hot--it's ALL here, from one of the greatest musical minds of the 20th century.
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