The Music of Duke Ellington Live in Zurich 1950 Thank You Uncle Edward All About Jazz

Duke Ellington Published May By Ken Dryden Discuss Duke Ellington the era of the big band was over and Ellington was able to keep going by his willingness to subsidize his tours with his still considerable royalty income while others disbanded or cut down to small groups. Drummer Sonny Greer was on his last legs so he shares the stage with Butch Ballard likewise alto sax star Johnny Hodges would leave to lead his own band the following year. Although it isn t clear how much music was actually performed or recorded the selections are a refreshing change from the typical offerings of other CDs. Harry Carney s robust baritone sax is heard in the obscurity of Paradise while Jimmy Hamilton s blistering clarinet shines in a romp through Air Conditioned Jungle backed by the fluid accompaniment of bassist Wendell Marshall. Ray Nance nicknamed Floorshow for his ability to steal the spotlight takes his violin on a humorous rendition of the pop song Frankie and Johnny. Hodges long the ! star soloist in the band is showcased in the lush Violet Blue and a swinging The Jeep is Jumpin. Composer Billy Strayhorn takes over for Duke in Take the A Train and guest Don Byas by now living in Europe is featured in How High the Moon. The sound is excellent for the era though the proofreading of the musicians names and song titles is haphazard. A few years ago Edward Ellington II asked Virginia Mayhew to lead the Duke Ellington Legacy to keep his grandfather s music present on the jazz scene. Rather than dusting off the late bandleader s arrangements pianist chief arranger Norman Simmons and Mayhew wrote new charts for an octet that includes the outstanding trombonist Wycliffe Gordon baritone saxophonist Joe Temperley who replaced Harry Carney in the Mercer Ellington led edition of Duke s Orchestra and trumpeter Mark McGowan. The song selection on Thank You Uncle Edward is a good mix of repertoire from several different decades. Mayhew devours the sauntering Pretty Woma! n and wails in the deliberate AfroCuban treatment of In a Sentimental Mood the latter taken far from its lush ballad roots. Simmons subtle piano solo opens Isfahan though it turns strident as McGowan takes over. Vocalist Nancy Reed is a fine addition on several numbers including an AfroCuban setting of Caravan a breezy Perdido and a brisk boppish Cottontail that features her adept handling of Jon Hendricks humorous vocalese. Gordon though just one of several soloists in Mainstem one of Ellington s many train songs easily sticks out with his raucous playing as he does nearly every time he is featured. The one non Ellington piece is Mayhew s bluesy bop vehicle Toe Tickler. Ellington s legacy is in good hands with this excellent tribute band. Tracks and Personnel Live in Zurich Switzerland . . Tracks Suddenly It Jumped Ring Dem Bells Creole Love Call Paradise Air Conditioned Jungle How High the Moon The Tattooed Bride Take the A Train Frankie Rockin in Rhythm Violet Blue St. Louis Blues S Wonderful The Jeep Is Jumpin. Personnel Duke Ellington pia! no arranger Billy Strayhorn piano arranger Johnny Hodges alto sax Jimmy Hamilton tenor sax clarinet Russell Procope alto sax clarinet Don Byas tenor sax Alva McCain tenor sax Harry Carney baritone sax bass clarinet Harold Shorty Baker trumpet Al Killian trumpet Nelson Williams trumpet Ernie Royal trumpet Ray Nance cornet violin vocals Lawrence Brown trombone Quentin Jackson trombone Theodore Kelly trombone Wendell Marshall bass Sonny Greer drums Butch Ballard drums Kay Davis vocals. Thank You Uncle Edward Tracks Perdido Pretty Woman Caravan Mainstem Day Dream Toe Tickler Isfahan Cottontail Moon Mist In a Sentimental Mood Come Sunday. Personnel Norman Simmons piano arranger Virginia Mayhew tenor sax Edward Ellington II electric guitar Nancy Reed vocals Joe Temperley baritone sax bass clarinet Wycliffe Gordon trombone Mark McGowan trumpet Tom DiCarlo bass Paul Wells drums. Visit Duke Ellington on the web. Duke Ellington at All About Jazz . Column Archive Multiple CD Reviews T! his article first appeared in All About Jazz New York . Discuss Ken has collected jazz for over three decades and been a jazz journalist since . More about Ken. More Articles by Ken Dryden The Music of Duke Ellington Live in Zurich Thank You Uncle. Two Tastes of Monk Magical Mystery and Strayhornmonk Lee Konitz Portology and Ashiya The Lost Piano Session Salute Ella Privacy Policy Dedicated Servers All material copyright c All About Jazz and or contributing writers visual artists. All rights reserved

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