“At Columbia University’s New College, where I was studying engineering, my instructors constantly inquired whether I had written any songs. I was persuaded to sit down and play several of my compositions for them. Next they demanded why I wasn’t studying music formally. Their insistence convinced me that I ought to take a try.”

Mercer Ellington, Negro Digest, May 1951

Mercer Kennedy Ellington

Mercer Ellington can be seen briefly as part of one of the dancing couples in this 1941 video

The recordings heard on this podcast episode:

Pigeons and Peppers (CD: “The Complete 1936-1940 Variety, Vocalion and Okeh Small Group Sessions” Mosaic Records #235)

Recorded 7 October 1937, New York City

Cootie Williams – trumpet; Juan Tizol – valve trombone; Barney Bigard – clarinet; Otto Hardwick – alto sax; Harry Carney – baritone sax; Duke Ellington – piano; Billy Taylor – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

The Girl in my Dreams (CD: “The Webster Blanton Band,” Bluebird 74321131812)

Recorded 28 December 1940, Chicago

Wallace Jones, Ray Nance –trumpets; Rex Stewart – cornet; Lawrence Brown, Juan Tizol, Joe “Tricky Sam” Nanton – trombones; Otto Hardwicke, Johnny Hodges, Ben Webster, Barney Bigard, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Jimmie Blanton – bass; Sonny Greer – drums; Herb Jeffries – vocal.

Blue Serge / John Hardy’s Wife (CD: “The Webster Blanton Band,” Bluebird 74321131812)

Recorded 15 February 1941, Los Angeles

Wallace Jones, Ray Nance –trumpets; Rex Stewart – cornet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol -trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Otto  Hardwicke, Ben Webster, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Jimmie Blanton – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Jumpin’ Punkins / Moon Mist (LP: “The Hollywood Bowl Concert” Unique Jazz UJ-001)

Recorded 31 August 1947 Live at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles

Shelton Hemphill, Dud Bascomb, Francis Williams, Harold Baker – trumpets; Ray Nance – trumpet, violin; Lawrence Brown, Claude Jones, Tyree Glenn – trombones; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Al Sears, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Oscar Pettiford – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Brown Suede (CD: “Duke Ellington, The Centennial Edition” RCA Victor ‎– 09026-63386-2)

Recorded 29 September 1941, Los Angeles

Ray Nance – trumpet; Juan Tizol – trombone; Barney Bigard – clarinet; Harry Carney – baritone sax; Billy Strayhorn – piano; Jimmie Blanton – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

A Slip of the Lip (CD: “World Broadcasting Series, Volume 1” Circle ‎ CCD-101)

Recorded 9 November 1943, New York City

Wallace Jones, Rex Stewart, Taft Jordan – trumpet; Ray Nance – trumpet, vocal; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwicke, Skippy Williams, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Junior Raglin – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

He Should’a flip’d when he flop’d (CD: “Cootie Williams and his Orchestra 1945-1946” Classics 981)

Recorded 29 January 1946, New York City

Cootie Williams, Bob Merrill, Ermit V. Perry, George Treadwell, Billy Ford, Gene Redd – trumpet; Ed Burke, Bob Horton, Edward “Jack Raggs” Johnson – trombone; Rupert Cole, John Jackson– alto sax; Everett Gaines, Sam Taylor – tenor sax; Bob Ashton – baritone sax; Arnold Jarvis – piano; Sam “Christopher” Allen – guitar; Norman Keenan – bass; Butch Ballard – drums, Johnny Mercer – vocal.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

“Jimmy Jones is a close member of our musical family. Outside of our original version, he and Toby Hardwick were the first to do “Come Sunday.” I have had many different associations with him, the most notable being when we did My People in Chicago in 1963. I could not be there during the entire run, and he took over many of my responsibilities, played the piano and directed the orchestra. Then, when we were touring with Ella Fitzgerald, he was acting as her pianist, conductor, and orchestrator.”

Duke Ellington, Music is my Mistress

Jimmy Jones

The recordings heard on this podcast episode:

(CD: “Jimmy Jones 1946-1947,” Classics 1301)

Old Juice on the Loose/A Woman’s Got a Right to Change her Mind

Recorded 10 January 1946, New York City

Joe Thomas – trumpet; Lawrence Brown – trombone; Otto Hardwick – alto sax; Ted Nash – tenor sax; Harry Carney – baritone sax; Jimmy Jones – piano; Billy Taylor – bass; Shelly Manne – drums.

Come Sunday

Recorded 4 March 1947, New York City

Otto Hardwick – alto sax; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Casey – guitar; Al Hall – bass.

New World A’ Coming

Recorded 4 March 1947, New York City

Jimmy Jones – piano; John Levy – bass; Denzil Best – drums.

New York City Blues/On a Turquoise Cloud/Bakiff

Recorded 1947, New York City

Jimmy Jones – piano

Hello Little Girl (CD: “Jazz Party” Columbia CK-40712)

Recorded 19 February 1959, New York City

Dizzy Gillespie, Cat Anderson, Harold Baker, Clark Terry, Ray Nance – trumpet; Britt Woodman, Quentin Jackson, John Sanders – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Jimmy Jones – piano; Jimmy Woode – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums, Jimmy Rushing – vocal.

Satin Doll/The Old Circus Train (CD: “The Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington Cote d’Azur Concerts on Verve,” Verve 314 539 033-2 QS01)

Recorded 28 July 1966, Cote d’Azur, France

Ella Fitzgerald – vocal;  Cat Anderson, Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones, Cootie Williams – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington, Jimmy Jones – piano; John Lamb – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums. Jimmy Jones – piano; Joe Comfort – bass; Gus Johnson – drums.

I Like the Sunrise (CD: “Francis A. & Edward K.” Reprise Records 1024-2)

Recorded 11/12 December 1967, Los Angeles

Frank Sinatra – vocal; Cootie Williams, Cat Anderson, Herbie Jones, Mercer Ellington – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Jimmy Jones – piano; Jeff Castleman – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.

Orson (LP: “Ellington is Forever, Volume 2” Fantasy F-79008)

Recorded November/December 1975, Berkeley, California

Jimmy Jones – piano.

In a Mellotone (LP: “Ellington is Forever, Volume 2” Fantasy F-79008)

Recorded July/August 1976, Berkeley, California

Nat Adderley – cornet; Quentin Jackson – trombone; Gary Bartz – soprano sax; Jimmy Jones – piano; Kenny Burrell – guitar; Monk Montgomery – bass; Philly Joe Jones – drums.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

“Harold “Shorty” Baker came into the band in 1942 to give us our first trumpet section of four. He joined Ray Nance, Rex Stewart, and Wallace Jones, and with his phenomenal phrasing and tone control he was an immense asset. He ad-libbed hot or blues as though he were recalling some beautiful dreams of St. Louis, his home and birthplace. His way of playing a melody was absolutely personal, and he had no bad notes at all.”

– Duke Ellington, Music is my Mistress

Harold “Shorty” Baker (1914-1966)

The recordings heard on this podcast episode:

I Can’t Believe That You’re In Love with Me (CD: “Duke Ellington: The Columbia Years 1927-1962” Columbia 5176872)

Recorded 10 November 1947 in New York City

Shelton Hemphill, Dud Bascomb, Francis Williams, Harold Baker, Ray Nance – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Claude Jones, Tyree Glenn – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Al Sears, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Oscar Pettiford – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Before My Time (from The Controversial Suite) (LP: “The Complete Duke Ellington 1947-1952” (French) CBS 66607)

Recorded 11 December 1951, New York City

Willie Cook, Harold Baker, Clark Terry, Ray Nance – trumpet; Britt Woodman, Quentin Jackson, Juan Tizol – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Willie Smith, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Wendell Marshall – bass; Louie Bellson – drums.

Stardust  (CD: “All Star Road Band” Doctor Jazz WGK 39137)

Recorded 22 June 1957, Carroltown, PA

Willie Cook, Harold “Shorty” Baker, Clark Terry, Ray Nance – trumpet; Britt Woodman, Quentin Jackson, John Sanders – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington  – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.

Mr. Gentle and Mr. Cool/El Gato (CD: “Live at Newport 1958” Sony Music Distribution 53584)
Recorded 21 July 1958, New York City

Cat Anderson, Harold “Shorty” Baker, Clark Terry – trumpets; Ray Nance – trumpet, violin; Britt Woodman, Quentin Jackson, John Sanders – trombones; Jimmy Hamilton,  Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Bill Graham, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Jimmy Woode – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

“Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and Wellman Braud were like Jelly [Roll Morton]; they’d talk as long as anyone would listen and hung around outside the Band Box. After Braud got written up in Ripley’s “Believe It or Not” column, he was too big for anybody. Ripley said he could pick faster than any bass player. He quit Duke’s band and started one of his own. He got a nice little band together to play a place over in Jersey. He talked so much to the man who owned the place about where to put the tables and how things were in the wrong place, the man told him to get his band together and get the hell outta there. He was always talking himself in by showing the clipping from the column and then he’d talk himself right out again.”

George “Pops” Foster, The Autobiography of a New Orleans Jazzman

Wellman Braud [1891-1966]

Duke Ellington and his Orchestra, 1930

The Indianapolis Star, 12 January 1935

The recordings heard on this podcast episode:

(CD: “Duke Ellington, The Centennial Edition” RCA Victor ‎– 09026-63386-2)

Washington Wabble – Recorded 6 October 1927, New York City

Bubber Miley, Louis Metcalf – trumpet; Joe Nanton – trombone; Edgar Sampson, Otto Hardwick – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – banjo; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Black and Tan Fantasy/Blues I Love to Hear – Recorded 26 October 1927, New York City

Bubber Miley, Louis Metcalf – trumpet; Joe Nanton – trombone; Edgar Sampson, Otto Hardwick – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – banjo; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Black Beauty/Jubilee Stomp – Recorded 26 March 1928, New York City

Arthur Whetsel, Bubber Miley, Louis Metcalf – trumpet; Joe Nanton – trombone; Barney Bigard, Otto Hardwick, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – banjo; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Freeze and Melt – Recorded 26 March 1928, New York City

Arthur Whetsel, Cootie Williams, Freddy Jenkins – trumpet; Joe Nanton – trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – banjo; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums, chimes.

Old Man Blues – Recorded 20 August 1930, Los Angeles

Arthur Whetsel, Cootie Williams, Freddy Jenkins – trumpet; Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – banjo; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

(CD: “The Complete 1933-1940 Brunswick, Columbia and Master Recordings of Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra” Mosaic Records #248)

Rose Room – Recorded 11 February 1932, New York City

Arthur Whetsel, Cootie Williams, Freddie Jenkins – trumpet; Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Harlem Speaks – Recorded 15 August 1933, New York City

Arthur Whetsel, Cootie Williams, Freddie Jenkins – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwicke, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Tough Truckin’  (CD: “The Complete 1936-1940 Variety, Vocalion and Okeh Small Group Sessions” Mosaic Records #235)

Recorded 5 March 1938, New York City

Rex Stewart – cornet; Johnny Hodges – soprano sax; Harry Carney – baritone sax; Duke Ellington – piano; Wellman Braud, Billy Taylor – bass

Portrait of Wellman Braud (CD: “New Orleans Suite” Warner Bros. 7411644)

Recorded 13 May 1970, New York City

Cootie Williams, Cat Anderson, Mercer Ellington, Fred Stone – trumpet; Booty Wood, Julian Priester, Chuck Connors – trumpet; Russell Procope, Norris Turney, Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

The recordings heard on this podcast episode:

(CD: “Duke Ellington, The Centennial Edition” RCA Victor ‎– 09026-63386-2)

I Can’t Give You Anything But Love (Recorded 30 October 1928 and 10 November 1928, NYC)

Arthur Whetsel, Freddie Jenkins – trumpet; Joe Nanton – trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – banjo; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums; Irving Mills, Baby Cox – vocal.

When A Black Man’s Blue (Record 21 November 1930 and 10 December 1930, NYC)

Arthur Whetsel, Cootie Williams, Freddie Jenkins – trumpet; Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – banjo; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums; Dick Robertson – vocal (21 November); Bennie Payne – vocal (10 December).

My Old Flame (Recorded 9 May 1934, Los Angeles)

Arthur Whetsel, Cootie Williams – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums; Ivie Anderson – vocal.

My Old Flame (LP: “The Works of Duke, Volume 9” French RCA FPM1 7002)

Recorded 24 March 1934, Los Angeles

Arthur Whetsel, Cootie Williams, Freddie Jenkins – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Marshal Royal, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums; Ivie Anderson – vocal.

Boy Meets Horn (CD: “World Broadcasting Series, Volume 1” Circle CCD-101)

Recorded 8 November 1943, NYC

Wallace Jones, Rex Stewart, Dizzy Gillespie, Taft Jordan – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwick, Skippy Williams, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Wilson Myers – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Boy Meets Horn (LP: “West Coast Tour” Jazz Bird Records JAZ-2010)

Recorded 20 June 1951, Birdland, NYC

Nelson Williams, Cat Anderson, Harold Baker, Ray Nance – trumpet; Britt Woodman, Quentin Jackson, Juan Tizol – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Willie Smith, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Wendell Marshall – bass; Louie Bellson – drums.

Concerto for Cootie (CD: “Roll ‘Em!” Vintage Jazz Classics VJC-1032)

Recorded 14 September 1941 at the Meadowbrook Country Club, Cedar Grove, New Jersey

Benny Goodman – clarinet; Cootie Williams, Jimmy Maxwell, Billy Butterfield – trumpet; Lou McGarity, Cutty Cutshall – trombone; Gene Kinsey, Clint Neagley – alto sax; George Berg, Vido Musso – tenor sax; Chuck Gentry – baritone sax; Mel Powell – piano; Tommy Morganelli – guitar; Marty Blitz –bass; Big Sid Catlett – drums.

Concerto for Cootie (CD: “The Treasury Shows, Vol. 25” Storyville 903 9025)

Recorded 5 May 1944 at the Hurricane Restaurant, NYC

Shelton Hemphill, Rex Stewart, Taft Jordan, Ray Nance – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Claude Jones – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Otto Hardwick, Johnny Hodges, Skippy Williams, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Junior Raglin – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

“As a trumpet player, [Arthur Whetsel] had a tonal personality that has never really been duplicated. Sweet, but not syrupy, nor schmaltzy, nor surrealistic, it had a superiority of extrasensory dimensions. Both as a soloist and from the point of view of teamwork, he was a fine musician. Everything with him had to be of the best, and he was one of the really good readers.”

Duke Ellington, Music is my Mistress

Arthur Parker Whetsel [1905-1940]

Duke Ellington and his orchestra, with Arthur Whetsel and Fredi Washington, are featured in the 1929 short feature Black and Tan.  

The recordings heard on this podcast episode:

(CD: “Duke Ellington, The Centennial Edition” RCA Victor ‎– 09026-63386-2)

Black Beauty – Recorded 26 March 1928, New York City

Arthur Whetsel, Bubber Miley, Louis Metcalf – trumpet; Joe Nanton – trombone; Barney Bigard, Otto Hardwick, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – banjo; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Misty Mornin’ – Recorded 3 May 1929, New York City

Arthur Whetsel, Cootie Williams, Freddie Jenkins – trumpet; Joe Nanton – trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – banjo; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

The Dicty Glide/Stevedore Stomp – Recorded 7 March 1929, New York City

Arthur Whetsel, Cootie Williams, Freddie Jenkins – trumpet; Joe Nanton – trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – banjo; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Awful Sad – Recorded 2 October 1928, New York City

Arthur Whetsel, Bubber Miley – trumpet; Joe Nanton – trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – banjo; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

(CD: “Early Ellington: The Original Decca Recordings (The Complete Brunswick and Vocalion Recordings of Duke Ellington, 1926-1931)” Decca GRD-3-640)

Awful Sad – Recorded 2 October 1928, New York City

Arthur Whetsel, Bubber Miley – trumpet; Joe Nanton – trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – banjo; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Mood Indigo – Recorded 17 October 1928, New York City

Arthur Whetsel – trumpet; Joe Nanton – trombone; Barney Bigard – clarinet; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – banjo; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

(CD: “The OKeh Ellington” Columbia C2K 46177)

Rocky Mountain Blues – Recorded 14 October 1930

Arthur Whetsel – trumpet; Joe Nanton – trombone; Barney Bigard – clarinet; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – banjo; Wellman Braud – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

https://ellingtonreflectionsdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2023/08/portrait-of-norris-turney.mp3

Norris Turney (Photo by Jan Persson)

The recordings heard on this podcast episode:

Checkered Hat (CD: “Togo Brava Suite” Storyville Records STCD 8323)

Recorded 3 February 1971, New York City

Cootie Williams, Eddie Preston, Harold “Money” Johnson, Mercer Ellington – trumpet; Booty Wood, Malcolm Taylor, Chuck Connors – trombone; Russell Procope, Norris Turney, Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Wild Bill Davis – organ; Duke Ellington – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

Checkered Hat (CD: “Duke Ellington in Sweden 1973” Caprice Records CAP 21599)

Recorded 25 October 1973, Malmo, Sweden

Rolf Ericson, Mercer Ellington, Harold “Money” Johnson, Barrie Lee Hall, Johnny Coles – trumpet; Vincente Prudente, Art Baron, Ake Persson – trombone; Chuck Connors – trombone; Russell Procope, Harold Minerve, Harold Ashby, Percy Marion, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Quentin “Rocky” White – drums; Alice Babs – vocal.

Fife (CD: “Uppsala 1971” Storyville Records 101 8482)

Recorded 9 November 1971, Uppsala, Sweden

Cootie Williams, Harold “Money” Johnson, Johnny Coles, Eddie Preston, Mercer Ellington – trumpet; Booty Wood, Malcolm Taylor, Chuck Connors – trombone; Russell Procope, Norris Turney, Harold Minerve, Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

B. P. Blues (CD: “Just a-sittin’ and a-rockin’” Black Lion Records –  BLCD760148)

Recorded 28 August 1970, New York City

Ray Nance – cornet; Norris Turney – alto saxophone; Paul Gonsalves – tenor saxophone; Hank Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

Soul Flute (CD: “Togo Brava Suite” Blue Note Records 7243 8 30082)

Recorded 22 October 1971, Bristol, UK

Cootie Williams, Johnny Coles, Harold “Money” Johnson, Eddie Preston, Mercer Ellington – trumpet; Booty Wood, Malcolm Taylor, Chuck Connors – trombone; Russell Procope, Norris Turney, Harold Minerve, Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds ; Duke Ellington – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

Bourbon Street Jingling Jollies (CD: “Never Before Released Recordings (1965-1972),” Music Masters 5041-2-C)

Recorded 23 July 1970, Milan

Cootie Williams, Cat Anderson, Mercer Ellington, Fred Stone, Nelson Williams – trumpets; Booty Wood, Chuck Connors, Malcolm Taylor – trombones; Russell Procope, Norris Turney, Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

Black Swan (CD: “Duke Ellington’s 70th Birthday Concert” Solid State SS 19000)

Recorded 26 November 1969, Manchester, England

Norris Turney – flute; Wild Bill Davis – organ; Duke Ellington – piano; Victor Gaskin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

Hard Way (CD: “The Afro-Eurasian Eclipse” Original Jazz Classics OJCCD 645)

Recorded 17 February 1971, New York City

Cootie Williams, Eddie Preston, Harold “Money” Johnson, Mercer Ellington – trumpet; Booty Wood, Malcolm Taylor, Chuck Connors – trombone; Russell Procope,

Norris Turney, Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

In 1967, the west African nation of Togo released a postage stamp of Duke Ellington. Ellington reciprocated by writing the four movement Togo Brava Suite in 1971, the subject of this month’s episode of Ellington Reflections.

1967 Togo postage stamp celebrating Duke Ellington

A performance of the Togo Brava Suite performed by the European Broadcasting Union Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Andrew Homzy

The recordings heard on this podcast episode:

Togo Brava Suite (CD: “Togo Brava Suite” Storyville Records STCD 8323)

Recorded 28 June 1971, New York City

Cootie Williams, Richard Williams, Harold “Money” Johnson, Mercer Ellington – trumpet; Booty Wood, Malcolm Taylor, Chuck Connors – trombone; Russell Procope, Buddy Pearson, Norris Turney, Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

Togo Brava Suite (CD: “Duke Ellington Live at the Whitney” Impulse! IMP 11732)

Recorded 10 April 1972, Whitney Museum, New York City

Duke Ellington – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

Togo Brava Suite (CD: “Togo Brava Suite” Blue Note Records 7243 8 30082)

Recorded 22 October 1971, Bristol, UK

Cootie Williams, Johnny Coles, Harold “Money” Johnson, Eddie Preston, Mercer Ellington – trumpet; Booty Wood, Malcolm Taylor, Chuck Connors – trombone; Russell Procope, Norris Turney, Harold Minerve, Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds ; Duke Ellington – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

“Then in 1960 we came up with Suite Thursday for the Monterey Festival that year…we tried to parallel John Steinbeck’s story, “Sweet Thursday,” which was set in Monterey’s Cannery Row.”

Duke Ellington, Music is my Mistress

The recordings heard on this podcast episode:

Misfit Blues/Schwiphti [from “Suite Thursday”] (CD: “The Great Paris Concert” Collectables 7818)

Recorded 1 February 1963 in Paris, France

Cootie Williams, Roy Burrowes, Cat Anderson – trumpet; Ray Nance – violin; Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton,; Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Ernie Shepard – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.

Zweet Zursday/Lay-By [from “Suite Thursday”] (CD: “Duke Ellington in Grona Lund” Storyville 1038330)

Recorded 8 June 1963 in Stockholm, Sweden

Cootie Williams, Eddie Preston, Rolf Ericson – trumpet; Ray Nance – trumpet, violin; Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton,; Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Ernie Shepard – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

https://ellingtonreflectionsdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2023/04/parisian-celebration-23_004.mp3

“Over on the Left Bank in Paris, Billy Strayhorn and Aaron Bridgers and their In crowd used to take us to a place called Le Paysan on the Rue de Tournon, where we would have wonderful French soul food. Wine and appetizers would be served, and seated comfortably we would begin on the Pate de lievre (hare), proceed to the Rosette de Lyon (a small peppered sausage), the Pate encroute, Billy’s favorite andouillettes, boudin (a blood sausage), the Omelette Paysan (with potatoes, onion, and a kind of smoked bacon), the Tarte Tatin… on and on until we were stuffed.”

-Duke Ellington, Music is my Mistress

The recordings heard on this podcast episode:

Paris Stairs / Wild Man Moore (CD: “Paris Blues” Rykodisc RCD 10713)

For Wild Man Moore: Louis Armstrong – trumpet; others unknown

For Paris Stairs (2/3 May 1961) – Willie Cook, Edward Mullens, Cat Anderson, Clark Terry, Ray Nance – trumpet; Louis Blackburn, Murray McEachern, Lawrence Brown, Britt Woodman, Juan Tizol – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Arthur Clark, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Oliver Nelson, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney, Harry Smiles – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Les Spann – guitar, flute; Aaron Bell – bass; Sonny Greer, Dave Jackson, Jimmy Johnson, Philly Joe Jones, Max Roach – drums

A Midnight in Paris / Under Paris Skies / Comme Ci, Comme Ca / The River Seine (CD: “Midnight in Paris” Sony Music COL4684032)

Recorded 30 January 1962, New York City

Bill Berry, Harold “Shorty” Baker, Cat Anderson, Ray Nance  – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Leon Cox, Chuck Connors – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Aaron Bell – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.

Paris Blues (CD: “Midnight in Paris” Sony Music COL4684032)

Recorded 1 May 1962, New York City

Bill Berry, Harold “Shorty” Baker, Cat Anderson, Ray Nance  – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Leon Cox, Chuck Connors – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Aaron Bell – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.

Wild Man (CD: “First Time” Columbia CK 65571)

Recorded 6 July 1961, New York City

Willie Cook, Edward Mullens, Cat Anderson, Andres Merenguito, Thad Jones, Sonny Cohn, Snooky Young, Lennie Johnson, Ray Nance – trumpet; Louis Blackburn, Lawrence Brown, Juan Tizol, Henry Coker, Quentin Jackson, Benny Powell – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Marshal Royal, Johnny Hodges, Frank Wess, Paul Gonsalves, Frank Foster, Budd Johnson, Harry Carney, Charlie Fowlkes – reeds; Duke Ellington, Count Basie – piano; Freddy Green – guitar; Aaron Bell – bass; Sonny Payne, Sam Woodyard – drums.

Guitar Amour (CD: “Buenos Aires Blues/11th Hour” Lone Hill Jazz LHJ10373)

Recorded August 15, 1962 New York City

Johnny Hodges – alto sax; with an orchestra conducted and arranged by Oliver Nelson; Ray Nance – violin; Bernie Leighton – piano; George Duvivier – bass; Osie Johnson – drums; others unknown.

Guitar Amour (CD: “Duke Ellington in the Uncommon Market” Pablo 2308-247

Recorded 7 February 1963, Stockholm, Sweden

Cat Anderson, Cootie Williams, Roy Burrowes – trumpet; Ray Nance – violin; Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors – trombone; Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope; Jimmy Hamilton, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Ernie Shepard – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

https://ellingtonreflectionsdotcom.files.wordpress.com/2023/03/city-of-lights.mp3

ELLINGTON MEETING 2023

Since 1981, Ellington experts from around the world have been meeting every year in order to exchange and share their knowledge about Duke Ellington’s work and life. After the US, England, Canada, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands, La Maison du Duke welcomes for the first time in France the international symposium dedicated to one of the greatest creators of the 20th century.

27/28/29 avril – DUKE AND THE LIGHTS

A red thread articulated around Paris (City of Light regularly visited by the great orchestra of Duke Ellington) and Enlightenment thinkers whose Duke values are surprisingly close. For three days, the meeting offers an XXL program, with conferences, round tables and show cases. The best international experts guide us to the heart of Duke Ellington’s work and values in its relations with France. Program here.

Free access to conferences and showcases by reservation, 
within the limit of availability. Book your tickets here

SPECIAL EVENINGS

Friday 28 april, 8:15 pm
CINEMA & PRESENTATION – Around the film Paris Blues
Cinéma l’Entrepôt, 7 rue Francis de Pressensé 75014 Paris – Tickets here

• Projection of the film Paris Blues by Martin Ritt (music composed by Duke Ellington)
• Presentation by Laurent Cugny, with Michele Corcella

Saturday 29 april, 8:30 pm
CONCERT – Laurent Mignard DUKE ORCHESTRA
Le Bal Blomet, 33 Rue Blomet 75015 Paris – Tickets here

• The Duke Orchestra led by Laurent Mignard celebrates its 20th anniversary in an historical venue (Le Bal Blomet – former Black Ball of the roaring twenties)
• World premiere of the music of Boola, Ellington’s unfinished opera, based on unpublished scores unearthed from the archives of the Smithsonian Institution by Michael Kilpatrick (live comments)
• Ellington French Touch, the influence of France in Duke’s work

Sunday 30 april, 3:00 pm and 5:00 pm
CONCERT – Duke For Kids, Leila Olivesi
Sunset Jazz Club, 60 rue des Lombards 75001 Paris – Tickets here

Sunday 30 april, 9:00 pm
CONCERT – New release and Jam Session
Sunset Jazz Club, 60 rue des Lombards 75001 Paris – Tickets here

• Live presentation of the album « Duke and Billy’s New Colors ». Julie Saury, Bruno Rousselet and Fred Couderc, eminent members of the Laurent Mignard Duke Orchestra for 20 years, present an alternative look at the ellingtonian repertoire, full of love and gratitude to the Duke and his partner Billy. Label : Juste une Trace – collection « Ellington Consequences » 
• Jam Session 

Support and information : +33 6 11 78 91 02 – [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP

The “Maison du Duke” (Duke’s place in Paris) lives for and by its members. In order to share Duke’s values of excellence and humanism, we invite you to join us or renew your membership. In addition to exclusive services on our website, we’ll be delighted to give you access to our Ellington’s unreleased CD collection. Join here …