Duke Ellington Ellington '65

Personnel: Duke Ellington (piano); Duke Ellington; Russell Procope (clarinet, alto saxophone, trombone); Herbie Jones (trumpet); Lawrence Brown (trombone); Major Holley (double bass); Jimmy Hamilton (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Paul Gonsalves (tenor saxophone); Harry Carney (baritone saxophone); Cootie Williams, Rolf Ericson, Cat Anderson (trumpet); Chuck Connors, Buster Cooper (trombone); Sam Woodyard (drums).

Liner Note Author: Leonard Feather.

Recording information: 04/15/1964-04/27/1964.

Arranger: Billy Strayhorn.

The Duke Ellington orchestra is captured here at its mature best in this mid-1960s collection of artfully rearranged hits of the day. Ellington's arrangements blend populist sensibilities with artistic integrity, energizing standards like "Danke Schoen" and "Hello, Dolly" (which had been a hit for Louis Armstrong in 1964) with fresh musical ideas. A nicely balanced blend of uptempo swing and sophisticated after-hours blues, ELLINGTON '65 demonstrates seasoned players like Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, and Laurence Brown at the top of their game.