Jazz
Big Band
Swing
Recorded: December 19, 1944, Carnegie Hall, New York, New York
Duke Ellington (arranger, piano)
Billy Strayhorn (arranger); Ray Nance (vocals, trumpet, violin); Kay Davis, Marie Ellington, Al Hibbler (vocals); Johnny Hodges, Harry Carney, Otto Hardwicke, Al Sears, Jimmy Hamilton (reeds); Rex Stewart, Taft Jordan, Cat Anderson, Shelton Hempill (trumpet); Tricky Sam Nanton, Lawrence Brown, Claude Jones (trombone); Fred Guy (guitar); Junior Raglin (bass); Hillard Brown (drums)
The Ellington orchestra was undergoing some personnel (and personality) changes during this era, none of it unexciting. This Carnegie Hall concert (available on two CDs) introduced Ellington's "Perfume Suite," and includes a half-hour series of selections from "Black, Brown and Beige," but also in the shorter pieces shows the impact of tenorman Al Sears and high-note wizard Cat Anderson on the band's sound, making it a more potentially boisterous and extroverted ensemble. Lots of great moments from this brilliant orchestra occured during this concert.
---Scott Yanow, AMG
Includes liner notes by Jerry Valburn and Orrin Keepnews. |
