The Rough Guide To Jazz Legends: Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington has been hailed as a jazz giant, the King of swing and a legend supreme. All these plaudits are right, yet still fail to properly convey the immense musicianship, melodic genius and effortless cool of his music. Duke is simply one of the best and most important musicians in modern history. To Ellington, music was music. He simply claimed he wrote 'American music'. Whatever you call it, enjoy a fine collection of Ellington's timeless tunes remastered to perfection on this Rough Guide.

The album opens with a slow laissez-faire ballad for jazz orchestra. The mellow toned saxophone is played by none other than Duke's colleague and legendary instrumentalist, Johnny Hodges. Other highlights include the track 'Caravan', a well known jazz standard written by Juan Tizol and first performed by Duke Ellington. The music features a winding melody with a sustained opening note underpinned with riffing rhythm section. The track is often hailed as the first Latin-Jazz track. 'Take The A Train' is known by many as Ellington's signature tune. Composed by his collaborator Billy Strayhorn the tune propels along with a tight swing feel. 'In a Sentimental Mood' is a swaying romantic tune with a swooning brass melody. Legend has it that Ellington, ever the charmer, composed the song spontaneously at a party to pacify two women who had begun arguing with one of his friends. The album features a delightful mix of Ellington's vintage 1930s style contrasted to the crisper polished style he explored during the 1950s. One example of the latter is heard on 'The Jeep is Jumpin'', an up-beat syncopated number with fantastic textural contrasts: from crisp cascading sax solos to minimal piano stabs.

The bonus album, 'The Rough Guide To Original Jazz Legends' is an excellent collection of music from musicians that represent Ellington's inspiration, his contemporaries and those he has influenced. From Willie 'The Lion' Smith to Clark Terry - explore the Ellington legacy in greater context with this excellent selection of remastered music.

Musicians

CD1: Duke Ellington: Reborn And Remastered

01 Duke Ellington: In A Sentimental Mood (1935)

02 Duke Ellington: Solitude (1934)

03 Duke Ellington: Black and Tan Fantasy (1928)

04 Duke Ellington: Take the 'A' Train (1941)

05 Duke Ellington: The Jeep is Jumping (1956)

06 Duke Ellington: Creole Love Call (1932)

07 Duke Ellington: Caravan (1937)

08 Duke Ellington: Satin Doll (1953)

09 Duke Ellington: I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good) (1941)

10 Duke Ellington: Sophisticated Lady (1933)

11 Duke Ellington: Jeep's Blues (1956)

12 Duke Ellington: Echoes of Harlem (Cootie's Concerto) (1936)

13 Duke Ellington: A Flat Minor (1956)

14 Duke Ellington: Don't Get Around Much Anymore (1943)

15 Duke Ellington: Mood Indigo (1930)

16 Duke Ellington: Uptown Downbeat (1936)

17 Duke Ellington: Drop Me Off At Harlem (1933)

18 Duke Ellington: Just Squeeze Me (1943)

19 Duke Ellington: Perdido (1942)

20 Duke Ellington: Bojangles (A Portrait Of Bill Robinson) (1940)

CD2 - Bonus CD: Original Jazz Legends

01 Ella Fitzgerald: The E and D Blues (Ella for Ella, D For Duke) (1957)

02 Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges: Basin Street Blues (1959)

03 Louis Armstrong: Don't Get Around Much Any More (1957)

04 Clark Terry: Serenade to A Bus Seat (1957)

05 Oscar Peterson: Rockin' In Rhythm (1957)

06 Count Basie: Segue in C (1958)

07 Thelonius Monk: It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing (1955)

08 Duke Ellington and Paul Gonsalves: Diminuendo and Crescendo In Blue (1957)

09 Earl Hines and Billy Eckstine: 'Stormy Monday Blues (1942)

10 Fats Waller: Honeysuckle Rose (1937)

11 Jelly Roll Morton: King Porter (A Stomp) (1923)

12 Willie 'The Lion' Smith: Stormy Weather (1950)