Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ellington was ba ...
, including those nominally led by his sidemen (mainly in the 1930s and early 1940s), and his later collaborations (mainly in the 1960s) with musicians with whom Ellington had generally not previously recorded.
Reissues are listed for recordings dating from before the 1950s, with the exception of radio broadcasts which were only commercially available later. Since many collections of sides from the 78rpm era (and box-sets) contain recordings made over multiple years, these are listed under the earliest year of the tracks included. An exception are those compilations which contain recordings dating from a period extending over more than a decade which are listed in a section at the end of this article. Throughout this list, most entries are listed by the year of recording, rather than the year of release.
The US chart listing information should be considered tentative because sources, like Joel Whitburn's ''Pop Memories'', do not take the cheaper dime-store records into account. During this period, records sold by song title, not by artist, although there are exceptions.
Hit records
1920s
During the late 1920s and early 1930s, Ellington and his band recorded for almost every label (BluDisc, Pathé,
Perfect
Perfect commonly refers to:
* Perfection, completeness, excellence
* Perfect (grammar), a grammatical category in some languages
Perfect may also refer to:
Film
* Perfect (1985 film), ''Perfect'' (1985 film), a romantic drama
* Perfect (2018 f ...
, Victor, Brunswick, Columbia Records, Okeh, Vocalion, Cameo, Romeo, Lincoln, Banner, Domino, Jewel, and Hit of the Week). The recordings from labels such as RCA Victor, Okeh and Brunswick have been collected in box sets, while material from other labels is scattered. The most comprehensive source for Ellington's early work are the Classics releases, although that series omits alternate takes, which may be found in other collections.
1924
*''1924–1926: The Birth of A Band Vol. 1'' ( EPM Musique) – released 1988)
*''Complete Edition'' (Masters of Jazz/Media 7, volume 1, 1924–1926) – CD only
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1924–1927'' ( Classics) – CD only
1925
*''The Complete Duke Ellington: Vol. 1, 1925–1928'' (CBS France) – 2-LP set released 1973
1926
*''The Birth of Big Band Jazz'' (Riverside EP, released 1956)
*''The Beginning'' Vol. 1 (Decca Jazz Heritage Series, DL 9224, 1926–1928) – 1987 LP
*''Early Ellington: The Complete Brunswick Recordings'' ( Decca/GRP) – 3-CD set released 1994 containing sides from 1926–1931
**''The Best of Early Duke Ellington'' (GRP/ Verve, 1926–1931)
*''Complete Edition'' (Masters of Jazz/Media 7, volume 2, 1926–1927) – CD only
1927
*''
Ellingtonia, Vol. One
''Ellingtonia, Vol. One'' is a compilation album of phonograph records assembled by Brunswick Records during the American Federation of Musicians strike, cataloguing the early, experimental Brunswick and Vocalion recordings of Duke Ellington i ...
'' (Brunswick, 1943) – album of four 78-rpm discs containing sides from the period 1927–1931
*''Flaming Youth'' (RCA Victor) – LP released 1965, recordings from 1927–1929,
*''The Indispensable Duke Ellington Volumes 1/2'' (RCA France Jazz Tribune/Double Black & White series) – 2-LP set released 1981, 2-CD set in 1994; contains recordings from 1927 to 1929
*''Jazz Heritage Brunswick/Vocalion Rarities'' (MCA) – released 1983, recordings 1926–1931
*''The Works of Duke: Vol. 1 – Vol. 5'' (RCA, 1927–1930)
*''Jungle Nights in Harlem'' (
Bluebird
The bluebirds are a North American group of medium-sized, mostly insectivorous or omnivorous birds in the order of Passerines in the genus ''Sialia'' of the thrush family (Turdidae). Bluebirds are one of the few thrush genera in the Americas. ...
) – released 1991, recordings from 1927–1932
*''The OKeh Ellington'' (Columbia) – 2-CD set released 1991 of 1927–1930 sides
*''Duke Ellington and His Orchestra: 1927–1928'' (Classics) – CD only
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1927–1928'' (Classics) – CD only
*''Complete Edition'' (Masters of Jaz/Media 7, volume 3, 1927–1928) – CD only
*''Mood Indigo'' (Columbia) – released 1992, recordings from 1927–1931
*''Early Ellington: 1927–1934'' (Bluebird) – released 1954, CD release 1990 on RCA)
*''Duke Ellington 1927–1934'' ( Nimbus, 1991) – CD only
*''Great Original Performances 1927–1934'' ( Mobile Fidelity, released 1989)
*''Rockin' in Rhythm'' (Jazz Hour, 1927–1936, released 1996)
*''Duke Ellington Playing the Blues'' ( Black and Blue, 1927–1939, released 2002)
1928
*''
Ellingtonia, Vol. Two
''Ellingtonia, Vol. Two'' is a compilation album of phonograph records assembled by Brunswick Records during the American Federation of Musicians strike, cataloguing the famed early recordings of Duke Ellington on Brunswick and Vocalion Record ...
'' (Brunswick, 1944) – album of four 78-rpm discs containing sides from the period 1928–1931
*''Hot in Harlem'' Vol. 2 (Decca Jazz Heritage Series, 1928–1929)
*''The Complete Duke Ellington: Vol. 2, 1928–1930'' (CBS France) – 2-LP set released 1973
*''Jazz Cocktail'' (AVS/Living Era 1928–1932)
*''Jubilee Stomp'' (Bluebird, 1928–1934)
*''Duke Ellington and His Orchestra: 1928'' (Classics) – CD only
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1928'' (Classics) – CD only
*''Complete Edition'' (Masters of Jazz/Media 7, volumes 4 & 5, 1928) – CD only
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1928–1929'' (Classics) – CD only
1929
*''Rockin' in Rhythm'' Vol. 3 (Decca Jazz Heritage Series, DL 79247, 1929–1931)
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1929'' (Classics) – CD only
*''Complete Edition'' (Masters of Jazz, volumes 6 & 7, 1929) – CD only
*''Complete Edition'' (December 1929–March 1930; Masters of Jazz/Media 7, volume 9) – CD only
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1929–1930'' (Classics) – CD only
1930s
1930
*''The Indispensable Duke Ellington Volumes 3/4'' (RCA France Jazz Tribune/Double Black & White series) – 2-LP set released 1981, 2-CD set in 1994. Contains recordings from the period 1930 to 1934.
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1930'' (Classics, 2 volumes) – CD only
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1930–31'' (Classics) – CD only
*''Complete Edition'' (April–June 1930; Masters of Jazz/Media 7, volume 10) – CD only
*''Complete Edition'' (August–October 1930; Masters of Jazz/Media 7, volume 11) – CD only
*''Complete Edition'' (Masters of Jazz/Media 7, volume 12, 1930–1931) – CD only
1931
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1931–32'' (Classics) – CD only
1932
*''The Complete Duke Ellington: Vol. 4, 1932'' (CBS France) – 2-LP set released 1974;
*''The Complete Duke Ellington: Vol. 5, 1932–1933'' (CBS France) – 2-LP set released 1974
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1932–33'' (Classics) – CD only
1933
*''The Complete Duke Ellington: Vol. 6, 1933–1936'' (CBS France) – 2-LP set released 1975
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1933'' (Classics) – CD only
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1933–35'' (Classics) – CD only
*''The British Connection: 1933–1940'' (Jazz Unlimited)
1934
1935
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1935–36'' (Classics) – CD only
1936
*''The Complete Duke Ellington Vol. 7 1936–1937'' (CBS France) – 2-LP set released 1975
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1936–37'' (Classics) – CD only
1937
*''The Complete Duke Ellington: Vol. 8, 1937'' (CBS France) – 2-LP set released, 1976
*''The Complete Duke Ellington: Vol. 9, 1937'' (CBS France) – 2-LP set released 1976
*''The Complete Duke Ellington: Vol.10, 1937–1938'' (CBS France) – 2-LP set released 1977
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1937'' (Classics, 2 volumes) – CD only
*''Ellington on the Air'' (Bulldog, 1982) – LP comprising Cotton Club, NYC appearance in 1937 (side A) and Southland Cafe, Boston, 1940 (Side B)
*'' Swing & Jazz'' (
Rhino
A rhinoceros (; ; ), commonly abbreviated to rhino, is a member of any of the five extant species (or numerous extinct species) of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. (It can also refer to a member of any of the extinct species ...
, 1937–1942)
1938
*''The Complete Duke Ellington: Vol. 11, 1938'' (CBS France) – 2-LP set released 1977
*''The Complete Duke Ellington: Vol. 12, 1938'' (CBS France) – 2-LP set released 1979
*''The Complete Duke Ellington: Vol. 13, 1938–1939'' (CBS France) – 2-LP set released 1981
*''The Duke's Men: Small Groups vol. 2, 1938–1939'' (Columbia)
*'' Braggin' in Brass: The Immortal 1938 Year'' (
Portrait
A portrait is a painting, photograph, sculpture, or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expressions are predominant. The intent is to display the likeness, personality, and even the mood of the person. For this ...
)
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1938'' (Classics, 3 volumes) – CD only
*''Blue Light 1938'' (Columbia)
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1938–39'' (Classics) – CD only
1939
*''The Complete Duke Ellington: Vol. 14, 1939'' (CBS France) – 2-LP set released 1981
*''The Complete Duke Ellington: Vol. 15, (1939–1940)'' (CBS France) – 2-LP set released 1981
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1939'' (Classics, 2 volumes) – CD only
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1939–40'' (Classics) – CD only
*''The Duke In Boston, 1939-1940'' (Jazz Unlimited) – CD released 1993
Decade compilations
*''The Complete 1932–1940 Brunswick/Columbia/Master Recordings of Ellington and His Famous Orchestra'' (
Mosaic
A mosaic is a pattern or image made of small regular or irregular pieces of colored stone, glass or ceramic, held in place by plaster/mortar, and covering a surface. Mosaics are often used as floor and wall decoration, and were particularly pop ...
) – 11-CD set released 2010
*''The Complete 1936–1940 Variety, Vocalian & OKeh Small Group Recordings'' (Mosaic) – 7-CD set produced and copyrighted for 2006.
1940s
The decade began with Ellington's recordings featuring Jimmy Blanton and Ben Webster, "the best Ellington" according to critic Bob Blumenthal. Activity in the commercial recording industry was restricted during the
1942–1944 musicians' strike
On August 1, 1942, the American Federation of Musicians, at the instigation of union president James C. Petrillo, began a strike against the major American record companies because of disagreements over royalty payments. Beginning at midnight, July ...
which including a recording ban, but Ellington did make annual visits to Carnegie Hall, listed below. In the January 1943 concert, Ellington introduced his first extended suite, "Black, Brown and Beige."
1940
*''In a Mellotone'' (RCA Victor) – 1956 LP release of selected 1940–1942 titles
*''Jumpin Punkins'' (RCA Victor) – 1965 LP release of selected 1940 and 1941 titles
*''The Indispensable Duke Ellington, Volumes 5/6, 1940'' (RCA France Jazz Tribune/Double Black & White series) – 1982 2-LP set, reissued as 2-CD set in 1992
*''The Indispensable Duke Ellington Volumes 7/8, 1941–1942'' (RCA France Jazz Tribune/Double Black & White series) – 1984 2-LP set, reissued as 2-CD set in 1992
*''The Indispensable Duke Ellington And The Small Groups, Vol.9/10, 1940–1946'' (RCA France Jazz Tribune/Double Black & White series) – 1985 2-LP set, reissued as 2-CD set in 1993
*'' The Blanton–Webster Band'' (1940–1942 986 RCA/Bluebird)
*''The Great Ellington Units'' (RCA/Bluebird) – released 1988, recordings from 1940–1941
*''
Duke Ellington at Fargo, 1940 Live
''Duke Ellington at Fargo, 1940 Live'' is a live album by the Duke Ellington Orchestra that won the Grammy Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album in 1980. The album was recorded at a dance in Fargo, North Dakota.
Background
In 1939, two cooper ...
'' (Storyville, 2001)
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1940'' (Classics, 2 volumes) – CD only
*'' Never No Lament: The Blanton-Webster Band'' (Bluebird, 1940–1942) – 3-CD set released 2003 from the Centennial set of 1999
*''The Duke Box: Duke Ellington in the Forties'' (Storyville) – 8-CD set, released 2007. Recorded 1940–1949
1941
*''The Indispensable Duke Ellington, Volumes 7/8, 1941-1942'' (RCA France Jazz Tribune/Double Black and White series) – 1984 2-LP set, reissued as 2-CD set in 1992
*''Take the 'A' Train'' (Vintage Jazz Classics)
*"1941 Classics – Live in " (Alamac)
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1940–41'' (Classics) – CD only
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1941'' (Classics) – CD only
1942
*''The Treasury Shows'' (D.E.T.S.) – 13 2-LP sets, reissued on CD in 25 2-CD sets from 2000 to 2018; series broadcast from 1942 to 1953
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1942–44'' (Classics) – CD only
1943
*'' The Carnegie Hall Concerts: January 1943'' (Prestige) – released as a 3-LP set in 1977; reissued as a 2-CD set
*''The Carnegie Hall Concerts: December 1943'' ( Storyville) – 2-CD set issued 2001; released on Jazz Society (France) & Ember (England) during the LP era
*''Live at the Hurricane'' (Storyville)
*''The Duke Ellington World Broadcasting Series'' (Circle) – World transcription recordings, first two volumes date from 1943 only; third volume also contains recordings from 1945
*''Duke's Joint'' (Buddha) – recording from 1943–1945
1944
*'' The Carnegie Hall Concerts: December 1944'' (Prestige) – released as 2-LP set in 1977, reissued as a 2-CD set in 1992
*''The Indispensable Duke Ellington, Volumes 10/11, 1944-1946'' (RCA France Jazz Tribune/Double Black & White series) – released as 2-LP set in 1987, 2-CD set in 1993 as Vol. 11/12; includes ''Black, Brown And Beige'' and ''The Perfume Suite''
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1944–45'' (Classics) – CD only
*''Black, Brown & Beige: The 1944–1946 Recordings'' (Bluebird) – released in 1988
*''The Complete RCA-Victor Mid-Forties Recordings'' – released 2000, derived from the ''Centennial'' set
1945
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1945'' (2 volumes) (Classics) – CD only
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1945–46'' (Classics) – CD only
*''The Duke Ellington World Broadcasting Series'' (Circle) – World transcription recordings, last two volumes (of five) from 1945
1946
*'' The Carnegie Hall Concerts: January 1946'' (Prestige) – released as a 2-LP set in 1977; reissued as a 2-CD set in 1991
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1946'' (Classics, 2 volumes) – CD only
*''The Great Concerts'' ( MusicMasters)
*''Happy Go Lucky Local'' (
Musicraft
Musicraft Records was a record company and label established in 1937 in New York City.
Catalogue
Musicraft's catalog encompassed many different musical styles, including classical music, folk, jazz, Latin, popular vocal, and calypso.
Artists ...
)
*''
Black, Brown, and Beige
''Black, Brown and Beige'' is an extended jazz work written by Duke Ellington for his first concert at Carnegie Hall, on January 23, 1943. It tells the history of African Americans and was the composer's daring attempt to transform attitudes abo ...
'' (Victor, 1946)
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1946–47'' (Classics) – CD only
1947
*'' Liberian Suite'' (Columbia) – 10-inch LP released in 1949
*'' The Carnegie Hall Concerts: December 1947'' (Prestige) – released on a 2-LP set in 1977; reissued as a 2-CD set in 1991
*''Daybreak Express''
*''Live at the Bowl''
*''Duke Ellington Vol. 4: April 30, 1947''
*''The Complete Duke Ellington 1947–1952, Volume 1'' (CBS France) – 1989 CD issue; recorded in Hollywood, 1947
*''The Complete Duke Ellington 1947–1952 Volume 2'' (CBS France) – 1989 CD issue; recorded at Liederkranz Hall, New York City, 1947
*''The Complete Duke Ellington 1947–1952 Volume 5'' (CBS France) – 1989 CD issue; contains the ''Liberian Suite'' (recorded 1947) and ''Masterpieces by Ellington'' (1950 session only)
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1947'' (Classics, 2 volumes) – CD only
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1947–48'' (Classics) – CD only
*''Duke Ellington at Ciro's'' (Dems)
*''Caravan'' (Prestige) – 2-LP set (1981)/2-CD set (1992) as by Johnny Hodges, Duke Ellington, and Billy Strayhorn All Stars. Strayhorn substitutes for Ellington on tracks recorded in 1947 (formally credited to Johnny Hodges); also tracks from 1951. Originally recorded for Mercer Records.
1948
*''Live at Click Vol. 1''
*''Live at Click Vol. 2''
*''Carnegie Hall 30 November 1948'' (Musidisc Jazz Anthology series) – French 1975 two-volume LP issue; Vintage Jazz Classics 2-CD set issued in 1991,
*''Cornell '' (MusicMasters)
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1948–49'' (Classics) – CD only
1949
*''The Complete Duke Ellington 1947–1952 Volume 3'' (CBS France) – 1989 CD issue, recorded 1949–1951 (studio)
*''Duke Ellington at the Empire'' (Storyville)
*''Two Great Concerts'' (Accord) – Recorded 1949 and 1965
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1949–50'' (Classics) – CD only
1950s
Ellington began the 1950s with his career seemingly in decline with several musicians leaving, Lawrence Brown, Sonny Greer, and Johnny Hodges, although Brown and Hodges later rejoined. After the orchestra's appearance at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival, with Paul Gonsalves running through 27 choruses of "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue", Ellington's profile revived.
1950
*''Live In Zurich, Switzerland 2.5.1950'' (TCB) – Recorded in May 1950
*''
Great Times!
''Great Times!'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington's featuring duet performances with his arranger and musical partner Billy Strayhorn originally recorded for the Mercer Records label in 1950, and later relea ...
'' ( Riverside) – with Billy Strayhorn
*''The Complete Duke Ellington 1947–1952, Volume 4'' (CBS France) –1989 CD issue, recorded in New York City, 1950–1951
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1950'' (Classics) – CD only
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1950–51'' (Classics) – CD only
1951
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1951'' (Classics) – CD only
*''
Masterpieces by Ellington
''Masterpieces by Ellington'' is the first LP album by American pianist, composer, and bandleader Duke Ellington, recorded for the Columbia label in 1950.
'' (Columbia)
1952
*'' Ellington Uptown'' (Columbia)
*''Duke on the Air''
*''The Seattle Concert'' (RCA Victor)
*''Live at the Blue Note'' (Bandstand)
*''Duke Ellington at Birdland'' (Jazz Unlimited)
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1952'' (Classics) – CD only
*''Live At The Crystal Gardens''
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1952–53'' (Classics) – CD only
1953
*''The Pasadena Concert'' ( GNP)
*''Duke Ellington Plays the Blues''
*''The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1953'' (Classics, 2 volumes) – CD only
*''
Premiered by Ellington
''Premiered by Ellington'' is an album by American pianist, composer, and bandleader Duke Ellington, recorded in 1953. The album was originally released as a 10" album and was Ellingon's first release on the Capitol label.The Duke Plays Ellington
''The Duke Plays Ellington'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington featuring trio sessions recorded for the Capitol label in 1953.Ellington '55'' (Capitol)
*''
Dance to the Duke!
''Dance to the Duke!'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded for the Capitol label in 1953.Ellington Showcase
''Ellington Showcase'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded for the Capitol label at various sessions in 1953–55.
'' (Capitol)
*''Duke's Mixture'' (Columbia)
*''Here's the Duke'' (Columbia)
*''The Duke and His Men''
*''The Washington, D.C. Armory Concert'' (
Jazz Guild
Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a maj ...
Bethlehem
Bethlehem (; ar, بيت لحم ; he, בֵּית לֶחֶם '' '') is a city in the central West Bank, Palestine, about south of Jerusalem. Its population is approximately 25,000,Amara, 1999p. 18.Brynen, 2000p. 202. and it is the capital ...
)
*'' Duke Ellington Presents...'' (Bethlehem)
*''Ellington '56'' (Affinity/Charly) – CD only, contains almost all the tracks from the two Bethlehem albums solely under Ellington's name
*''Duke 56/62'' (CBS France) – three 2-LP volumes, all issued in 1984
*'' Ellington at Newport'' (Columbia) – rereleased with reconfiguation of the complete 1956 Newport Jazz Festival performance in 1999 as ''Ellington at Newport Complete'' – CD only
*''Duke Ellington and the Buck Clayton All Stars at Newport''
*''Al Hibbler Sings with the Duke'' (Columbia)
*'' The Complete Porgy and Bess'' (Bethlehem) – limited involvement of "Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra"
*''
Studio Sessions, Chicago 1956
''Studio Sessions, Chicago 1956'' is the first volume of '' The Private Collection'' a series documenting recordings made by the American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington for his personal collection which was first released on the L ...
'' (LMR) – released as ''The Private Sessions Volume One'' in 1987
*''Live From The 1956 Stratford Festival'' (
Music and Arts
Music & Arts is a classical and jazz record label founded in Berkeley, California by Frederick Maroth.
It began in 1984 as a classical music label before adding jazz and world music. The catalog includes classical composers and musicians Milto ...
Studio Sessions, 1957, 1965, 1966, 1967, San Francisco, Chicago, New York
''Studio Sessions, 1957, 1965, 1966, 1967, San Francisco, Chicago, New York'' is the eighth volume of '' The Private Collection'' (published by the Canadian label Unidisc as AGEK 2038) - whereas is Volume 5 in the edition of the collection by the ...
'' (LMR) – released as ''The Private Collection Volume Eight'' in 1987
*''
Such Sweet Thunder
''Such Sweet Thunder'' is a Duke Ellington album, released in 1957. The record is a twelve-part suite based on the work of William Shakespeare.
Background
In August 1956, Duke Ellington and his orchestra were in Canada, performing in the same ci ...
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, i ...
Dance Concerts, California 1958
''Dance Concerts, California 1958'' is the second volume of ''The Private Collection'' a series documenting recordings made by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington for his personal collection which was first publicly released o ...
'' (LMR) – released as ''The Private Sessions Volume Two'' in 1987
*''
Dance Dates, California 1958
''Dance Dates, California 1958'' is the sixth volume of ''The Private Collection'' a series documenting recordings made by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington for his personal collection which was first publicly released on th ...
The Cosmic Scene
''The Cosmic Scene'' is a 1958 album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington. Featuring a nonet rather than his usual big band, the album was credited as "Duke Ellington's Spacemen" and was recorded and released on the Columbi ...
'' (Columbia)
*''
Happy Reunion
''Happy Reunion'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded in 1956 and 1958 but not released on the Doctor Jazz label until 1985.Ellington Indigos
''Ellington Indigos'' is a 1958 jazz album by Duke Ellington.
The stereo CD reissue released by Columbia (CK 4444) in 1987 contains a track listing and cover art that is drastically different from the original mono LP. A change in song order an ...
'' (Columbia)
*'' Newport 1958'' (Columbia) – Later re–released on an extended double CD as ''Live at Newport 1958''.
*''
Jazz at the Plaza Vol. II
''Jazz at the Plaza Vol. II'' is a live album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded in 1958 at a party for Columbia Records and released on the label in 1973.
'' (Columbia)
*''
Duke Ellington at the Alhambra
''Duke Ellington at the Alhambra'' is a live album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded in 1958 at the Alhambra Theater, Paris and released on the Pablo label in 2002.
'' (
Pablo
Pablo is a Spanish form of the name Paul.
People
* Pablo Alborán, Spanish singer
* Pablo Aimar, Argentine footballer
* Pablo Armero, Colombian footballer
*Pablo Bartholomew, Indian photojournalist
* Pablo Brandán, Argentine footballer
* Pablo B ...
Anatomy of a Murder
''Anatomy of a Murder'' is a 1959 American courtroom drama and crime film produced and directed by Otto Preminger. The screenplay by Wendell Mayes was based on the 1958 novel of the same name written by Michigan Supreme Court Justice John D. ...
Festival Session
''Festival Session'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded for the Columbia Records label in 1959.
'' (Columbia)
*''
Blues in Orbit
''Blues in Orbit'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded for the Columbia label in 1959 and released in 1960.Louis Armstrong,
Count Basie
William James "Count" Basie (; August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and th ...
,
John Coltrane
John William Coltrane (September 23, 1926 – July 17, 1967) was an American jazz saxophonist, bandleader and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music.
Born and rai ...
,
Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, i ...
,
Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Randolph Hawkins (November 21, 1904 – May 19, 1969), nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.Yanow, Scot"Coleman Hawkins: Artist Biography" AllMusic. Retrieved December 27, 2013. One of the first p ...
and Frank Sinatra, among others. He continued to write and record extended suites, such as his religious "Sacred Concerts", the "Perfume Suite" and the "Latin American Suite."
1960
*''
The Nutcracker Suite
''The Nutcracker'' ( rus, Щелкунчик, Shchelkunchik, links=no ) is an 1892 two-act ballet (""; russian: балет-феерия, link=no, ), originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov with a score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchai ...
'' (Columbia) – released on CD as part of ''Three Suites''
*''
Piano in the Background
''Piano in the Background'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded and released on the Columbia label in 1960.Swinging Suites by Edward E. and Edward G.'' (aka ''Peer Gynt Suite/Suite Thursday'') – released on CD as part of ''Three Suites''
*''
Unknown Session
''Unknown Session'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded in 1960 but not released on the Columbia label until 1979.
Red Baron
Red is the color at the long wavelength end of the visible spectrum of light, next to orange and opposite violet. It has a dominant wavelength of approximately 625–740 nanometres. It is a primary color in the RGB color model and a seco ...
) – released 1991
*''Live at Monterey'' (Status)
1961
*'' Piano in the Foreground'' (Columbia)
*''The Great Reunion'' (Roulette) – with Louis Armstrong
*''Together Again'' (Roulette) – with Louis Armstrong
:The above two albums were re–released together in 2001 on CD by Blue Note as '' The Great Summit''
*'' Paris Blues'' (
United Artists
United Artists Corporation (UA), currently doing business as United Artists Digital Studios, is an American digital production company. Founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks, the stu ...
Count Basie
William James "Count" Basie (; August 21, 1904 – April 26, 1984) was an American jazz pianist, organist, bandleader, and composer. In 1935, he formed the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1936 took them to Chicago for a long engagement and th ...
All American in Jazz
''All American in Jazz'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded in 1962 and released on the Columbia label.Featuring Paul Gonsalves
''Featuring Paul Gonsalves'' is an album by American jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader Duke Ellington. Without new material to work with, Ellington recorded the album with his orchestra and saxophonist Paul Gonsalves in 1962 during a four-h ...
Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Randolph Hawkins (November 21, 1904 – May 19, 1969), nicknamed "Hawk" and sometimes "Bean", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.Yanow, Scot"Coleman Hawkins: Artist Biography" AllMusic. Retrieved December 27, 2013. One of the first p ...
Charles Mingus
Charles Mingus Jr. (April 22, 1922 – January 5, 1979) was an American jazz upright bassist, pianist, composer, bandleader, and author. A major proponent of collective improvisation, he is considered to be one of the greatest jazz musicians an ...
and
Max Roach
Maxwell Lemuel Roach (January 10, 1924 – August 16, 2007) was an American jazz drummer and composer. A pioneer of bebop, he worked in many other styles of music, and is generally considered one of the most important drummers in history. He wo ...
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Duke Ellington & John Coltrane
''Duke Ellington & John Coltrane'' is a jazz album by Duke Ellington and John Coltrane released in January 1963 on Impulse! Records.
It was one of Ellington's many collaborations in the early 1960s with musicians such as Count Basie, Louis Armst ...
'' (Impulse!) – with
John Coltrane
John William Coltrane (September 23, 1926 – July 17, 1967) was an American jazz saxophonist, bandleader and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music.
Born and rai ...
, released 1963
*''Will Big Bands Ever Come Back?'' ( Reprise)
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Studio Sessions, New York, 1962
''Studio Sessions, New York 1962'' is the third volume of ''The Private Collection'' a series of recordings made by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington for his personal collection which was first released on the LMR label in ...
'' (LMR) – released as ''The Private Collection Volume Three'' in 1987
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Recollections of the Big Band Era
''Recollections of the Big Band Era'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded in 1962 and 1963 by Bruce Swedien at Universal Recording Corporation in Chicago for the Reprise label but not released until ...
'' (Atlantic) – recorded for Reprise, not released until 1974
*''The Feeling of Jazz'' ( Black Lion)
*''The Reprise Studio Recordings'' (Mosaic) – recorded 1962–1965, 5-CD set released 1999 containing only the Reprise issues from this period.
1963
*'' Afro-Bossa'' (Reprise)
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The Great Paris Concert
''The Great Paris Concert'' is a 1973 live double album by jazz pianist Duke Ellington preserving pieces of a series of performances given in Paris during February 1963, a decade prior the release. Several of the tracks were previously edited a ...
'' (Atlantic) – released 1973
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The Symphonic Ellington
''The Symphonic Ellington'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded and released on the Reprise label in 1963.Duke Ellington's Jazz Violin Session
''Duke Ellington's Jazz Violin Session'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded in 1963 but not released on the Atlantic label until 1976.
'' (Atlantic) – released 1976 (recorded during Ellington's Reprise contract & included in the Mosaic set listed under 1962)
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Serenade to Sweden
''Serenade to Sweden'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington and vocalist Alice Babs recorded in 1963 and released on the Reprise label in 1966.
Studio Sessions New York 1963
''Studio Sessions New York 1963'' is the fourth volume of '' The Private Collection'' a series of recordings made by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington for his personal collection which was first released on the LMR label ...
'' (LMR) – released as ''The Private Collection Volume Four'' in 1987
*'' My People'' (Red Baron)
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In the Uncommon Market
''In the Uncommon Market'' is a live album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded in Europe in 1963 and 1966 and released on the Pablo label in 1986.
'' (Pablo) – recorded 1963–66, released 1986
1964
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Ellington '65
''Ellington '65'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded in 1964 and released on the Reprise label in 1965.All Star Road Band Volume 2'' (Doctor Jazz) – released 1985
*'' Duke Ellington Plays Mary Poppins'' (Reprise)
*''Jazz Group 1964'' (Jazz Anthology)
*''Live at Carnegie Hall 1964'' (Jazz Up) – 2-CD set
*''Harlem'' (Pablo)
*''At Basin Street East'' (Music & Arts)
*''London: The Great Concerts'' (MusicMasters)
*''New York Concert'' (MusicMasters)
1965
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Ellington '66
''Ellington '66'' is an album by American pianist, composer, and bandleader Duke Ellington that was recorded and released on the Reprise Records, Reprise label in 1965.Concert in the Virgin Islands
''Concert in the Virgin Islands'' is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded and released on the Reprise label in 1965.
The Duke at Tanglewood
''The Duke at Tanglewood'' is a live album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington fronting the Boston Pops Orchestra conducted by Arthur Fiedler which was recorded at Tanglewood and released on RCA Victor's classical Red S ...
The Popular Duke Ellington
''The Popular Duke Ellington'' is a studio album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington featuring many of the tunes associated with his orchestra rerecorded in 1966 and released on the RCA Records, RCA label in 1967.
'' (RCA)
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Soul Call
''Soul Call'' is a 1967 live album by Duke Ellington and his orchestra, recorded live at the Juan-les-Pins/Antibes Jazz Festival on the Côte d'Azur. Ella Fitzgerald appeared with Ellington and his band at the same festival, and a more complete ...
The Jaywalker
''The Jaywalker'' is a studio album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington featuring tracks recorded in 1966 and 1967 and released on the Storyville label in 2004.
'' (Storyville) – recorded 1966–1967, released 2004
1967
*''Johnny Come Lately''
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North of the Border in Canada
''North of the Border in Canada'' (also released as ''Collages'') is an album by the Ron Collier Orchestra performing music by Canadian composers, with American pianist Duke Ellington as the featured soloist, which was recorded in Toronto in 1967 ...
'' (Decca) – with the Ron Collier Orchestra
*''Live at the Rainbow Grill''
*''Live In Italy, 1967'' (Jazz Up) – 2 volumes, CD issue
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The Intimacy of the Blues
''The Intimacy of the Blues'' is a studio album by the American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington, recorded in 1967 and 1970, and released on the Fantasy label in 1986.
'' (Fantasy) – recorded 1967–70, released 1986
*''Berlin '65/Paris '67'' (Pablo)
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The Greatest Jazz Concert in the World
''The Greatest Jazz Concert in the World'' is a 1967 live album featuring Duke Ellington and his orchestra, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, T-Bone Walker, Coleman Hawkins, Clark Terry and Zoot Sims. It was released in 1975.
Billy Strayhorn's " ...
Yale Concert
''Yale Concert'' is an album by Duke Ellington, recorded at Woolsey Hall, Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut in 1968 and released on the Fantasy Records, Fantasy label in 1973.
'' (Fantasy) – released 1973
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Second Sacred Concert ''Sacred Concert'' by Duke Ellington is one of the following realisations:
* 1965 - ''Concert of Sacred Music''
* 1968 - ''Second Sacred Concert''
* 1973 - ''Third Sacred Concert''
Ellington called these concerts "the most important thing I have ev ...
Studio Sessions New York, 1968
''Studio Sessions New York, 1968'' is the ninth volume of '' The Private Collection'' a series documenting recordings made by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington for his personal collection which was first released on the LM ...
'' (LMR) – released as ''The Private Collection Volume Nine'' in 1987
1969
*'' 70th Birthday Concert'' (Solid State)
*''Live At The Opernhaus Cologne''
1970s
Ellington remained active to the end of his life, recording three final major suites in the 1970s, the "New Orleans Suite", his "Third Sacred Concert", the "Toga Brava Suite", and "The Afro–Eurasian Eclipse", his most explicit venture into what would be called "world music." His concert at Eastbourne was Ellington's final recording.
1970
*'' Latin American Suite'' (Fantasy) – recorded 1968 & 1970, released 1972
*'' The Pianist'' (Fantasy) – recorded 1966 & 1970, released 1974
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New Orleans Suite
''New Orleans Suite'' is a studio album by the American pianist, composer, and bandleader Duke Ellington, recorded and released on the Atlantic label in 1970.
The Afro-Eurasian Eclipse
''The Afro-Eurasian Eclipse'' (subtitled ''A Suite in Eight Parts'') is a studio album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington recorded in 1971 and released on the Fantasy label in 1975. Like other world music-influenced sui ...
'' (Fantasy) – recorded 1971, released 1975
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The Intimate Ellington
''The Intimate Ellington'' is a studio album by the American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington, compiled from sessions recorded in 1969, 1970 and 1971, and released on the Pablo label in 1977.
'' (Pablo) – recorded 1969–71, released 1977
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Togo Brava Suite
''Togo Brava Suite'' is an album by the American pianist, composer, and bandleader Duke Ellington. It was recorded in England and released by United Artists Records in 1971.
'' (United Artists)
1972
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Live at the Whitney
''Live at the Whitney'' is a live album by the American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington, recorded at the Whitney Museum of American Art in 1972 and released on the Impulse! label in 1995.
'' (Impulse!) – released on CD, 1995
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The Ellington Suites
''The Ellington Suites'' is an album by the American pianist, composer, and bandleader Duke Ellington. It collects three suites recorded in 1959, 1971, and 1972, and was released on the Pablo label in 1976.
'' (Pablo) – recorded 1959–72, released 1976
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This One's for Blanton!
''This One's for Blanton!'' is a studio album by the American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington, duetting with Ray Brown, recorded in December 1972 and released on the Pablo label.
Duke's Big 4
''Duke's Big 4'' is a studio album by the American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington, featuring a small group session with Joe Pass, Ray Brown and Louie Bellson, recorded in January 1973 and released on the Pablo label in 1974.
Teresa Brewer
Teresa Brewer (born Theresa Veronica Breuer; May 7, 1931 – October 17, 2007) was an American singer whose style incorporated pop, country, jazz, R&B, musicals, and novelty songs. She was one of the most prolific and popular female singers of th ...
*''Complete Works: 1924–1947'' (Proper UK, 2003, 40-CD set)
*''Masterpieces, 1926–1949'' (Proper, 4-CD set)
*''Beyond The Musical Genius of Duke Ellington (1927–1967)'' (Smithsonian)
*''The Duke: The Essential Collection (1927-1962)'' (Columbia Legacy) 3-CD set issued 2000.
*''The Centennial Edition: The Complete RCA-Victor Recordings'' – 24-CD set containing recordings from 1927 to 1973, released 1999
*''The Duke Box 2'' (Storyville) – 7-CD/1-DVD set, recorded 1952 to 1972.
*''The Gold Collection, 40 Classic Performances'' (Retro) – 2-CD set, Italian issue released 1997; recording 1927–1966
*''The Private Collection (1956–1971)'' ( Saja) – 10-CD set)
*''Duke Ellington's Incidental Music for Shakespeare's Play
Timon of Athens
''Timon of Athens'' (''The Life of Tymon of Athens'') is a play written by William Shakespeare and probably also Thomas Middleton in about 1606. It was published in the '' First Folio'' in 1623. Timon lavishes his wealth on parasitic compani ...
'', adapted by
Stanley Silverman
Stanley Silverman (born July 5, 1938, in New York City) is an American composer, arranger, conductor and guitarist.
Silverman's diverse career covers music theatre, film, television, classical and pop music. His work has featured on stages acros ...
(1993). Posthumous recordings of previously unreleased compositions.