Duke Ellington discography

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is the discography of Duke Ellington. The majority of these recordings are listed under the year they were recorded, rather than released. Reissues are listed for most of the recordings released before the 1950s, as the original 78s are rare.

Contents

[edit] 1920s

During the late 1920s and early 1930s, Ellington and his band recorded for the labels BluDisc, Pathe, Victor, Brunswick, Columbia, Okeh, Vocalion, Cameo, RCA-Victor, Plaza, Durium and ARC. Some labels, such as RCA-Victor, Okeh and Brunswick, have collected Ellington's early recordings into box sets, while material from other labels is scattered. The most comprehensive source for Ellington's early work are the Classics releases, although note that these records omit alternate takes, which may be found in other collections.

1926

  • 1924-1926: The Birth of A Band Vol. 1 (EPM Musique) (released 1988)
  • The Birth of Big Band Jazz (Riverside) (EP) (released 1956)
  • Complete Edition (1924-1926) (Masters of Jazz)

1927

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1924-1927 (Classics)
  • Complete Edition (1926-1927) (Masters of Jazz)

1928

  • Duke Ellington and His Orchestra: 1927-1928 (Classics) (Released 1996)
  • Duke Ellington and His Orchestra: 1928 (Classics)
  • Complete Vol. 1: 1925-1928 (Columbia - France) (released 1973)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1927-1928 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1928 (Classics)
  • Complete Edition (1927-1928) (Masters of Jazz)
  • Complete Edition (1928) (2 discs) (Masters of Jazz)

1929

  • Flaming Youth (1927-1929) (RCA Victor) (Released 1965)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1928-1929 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1929 (Classics)
  • Complete Edition (1929) (2 discs) (Masters of Jazz)

[edit] 1930s

1930

  • The Okeh Ellington (Columbia) (1927-1930) (released 1991)
  • The Works of Duke: Vol. 1 - Vol. 5 (RCA) (1927-1930)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1929-1930 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1930 (2 volume) (Classics)
  • Complete Edition (1929-1930) (Masters of Jazz)
  • Complete Edition (1930) (2 discs) (Masters of Jazz)

1931

  • Early Ellington: The Complete Brunswick Recordings (3 discs) (Decca) (1926-1931) (released 1994)
  • Jazz Heritage Brunswick/Vocalion Rarities (1926-1931) (MCA) (released 1983)
  • Mood Indigo (1927-1931) (Columbia) (released 1992)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1930-31 (Classics)
  • Complete Edition (1930-1931) (Masters of Jazz)

1932

  • Jungle Nights in Harlem (1927-1932) (Bluebird) (released 1991)
  • Jazz Cocktail (AVS/Living Era) (1928-1932)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1931-32 (Classics)

1933

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1932-33 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1933 (Classics)

1934

  • Early Ellington: 1927-1934 (Bluebird) (released 1954; CD release 1990 on RCA)
  • Duke Ellington 1927-1934 (Nimbus) (1991)
  • Great Original Performances 1927-1934 (Mobile Fidelity (released 1989)
  • Jubilee Stomp (Bluebird) (1928-1934)

1935

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1933-35 (Classics)

1936

  • Rockin’ in Rhythm (1927-1936) (Jazz Hour) (Released 1996)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1935-36 (Classics)

1937

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1936-37 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1937 (2 volumes) (Classics)

1938

  • ”Braggin’ in Brass: The Immortal 1938 Year” (Portrait)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1938 (Classics)

1939

  • Duke Ellington Playing the Blues (1927-1939) (Black and Blue) (Released 2002)
  • ”The Duke’s Men: Small Groups vol. 2, 1938-1939” (Columbia/Vocalion)
  • ”The Blanton–Webster Band (1939-1942) (RCA/BlueBird)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1938-39 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1939 (2 volumes) (Classics)

[edit] 1940s

The early 1940s saw limited output due to the 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." This era also saw the appearance of the "Liberian Suite" and his highly regarded recordings featuring Jimmy Blanton and Ben Webster, "the best Ellington band" according to critic Bob Blumenthal.[1]

1940

  • ”On the Air”
  • ”Fargo, North Dakota, November 7, 1940” (Vintage Jazz Classics)
  • ”The Duke in Boston” (Jazz Unlimited)
  • The British Connection: 1933-1940 (Jazz Unlimited)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1939-40 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1940 (2 volumes) (Classics)

1941

  • ”Take the ‘A’ Train” (Vintage Jazz Classics)
  • ”The Great Ellington Units” (Bluebird)
  • "1941 Classics - Live in Hollywood" (Alamac)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1940-41 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1941 (Classics)

1942

1943

  • ”The Carnegie Hall Concerts: January 1943”
  • ”The Carnegie Hall Concerts: December 1943” (Storyville)
  • Live at the Hurricane (Storyville)

1944

  • ”The Carnegie Hall Concerts: December 1944”
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1942-44 (Classics)

1945

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1944-45 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1945 (2 volumes) (Classics)
  • The Treasury Shows 1943-1945 (13 double LPs) (D.E.T.S.)
  • Duke's Joint (1943-1945) (Buddha)
  • ”The Duke Ellington World Broadcasting Series” (Circle)

1946

  • ”The Carnegie Hall Concerts: January 1946”
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1945-46 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1946 (2 volumes) (Classics)
  • The Great Chicago Concerts (Music Masters)
  • Happy Go Lucky Local (Musicraft)

1947

  • ”The Carnegie Hall Concerts: December 1947”
  • ”Daybreak Express”
  • Live at the Hollywood Bowl
  • Duke Ellington Vol. 4: April 30, 1947
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1946-47 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1947 (2 volumes) (Classics)
  • Duke Ellington at Ciro's (Dems)
  • Liberian Suite (Columbia)

1948

  • ”Live at Click Restaurant Philadelphia Vol. 1”
  • ”Live at Click Restaurant Philadelphia Vol. 2”
  • Carnegie Hall 11/30/1948
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1947-48 (Classics)
  • Cornell University (Music Masters)

1949

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1948-49 (Classics)
  • Duke Ellington at the Hollywood Empire (Storyville)

[edit] 1950s

Ellington began the 1950s losing Johnny Hodges, Sonny Greer and Lawrence Brown. The second half of the 1950s, however, feature his famous "comeback" appearance at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival, with Paul Gonzalves running through 27 choruses of "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue."

1950

  • Masterpieces By Ellington (Columbia)
  • ”Great Times” (Riverside)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1949-50 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1950 (Classics)
  • Live In Zurich, Switzerland 2.5.1950 (TCB Music)

1951

  • ”Hi-Fi Ellington Uptown”
  • ”Johnny Hodges, Duke Ellington, and Billy Strayhorn All Stars” (Prestige)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1950-51 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1951 (Classics)

1952

  • ”Duke on the Air”
  • ”The Seattle Concert”
  • ”Live at the Blue Note” (Bandstand)
  • ”Duke Ellington at Birdland” (Jazz Unlimited)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1952 (Classics)
  • ”Uptown” (Columbia)

1953

  • ”Piano Reflections”
  • ”The Pasadena Concert” (GNP)
  • ”Premiered by Ellington”
  • ”The Duke Plays Ellington”
  • ”Ellington Showcase”
  • ”Duke Ellington Plays the Blues”
  • ”Ellington Uptown”
  • "Satin Doll"
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1952-53 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1953 (2 volumes) (Classics)

1954

  • ”Dance to the Duke”
  • ”Duke Ellington Plays”
  • ”Happy Birthday Duke! April 29 Birthday Sessions” (Laserlight)
  • ”1954 Los Angeles Concert” (GNP)

1955

  • ”Ellington ‘55”
  • ”Duke’s Mixture”
  • ”The Duke and His Men”
  • ”Jazz Masters: 1953-1955” (EMI)
  • ”The Washington, D.C. Armory Concert” (Jazz Guild)
  • ”The Complete Capitol Recordings of Duke Ellington”
  • ”The Carnegie Hall Concerts: March 1955”

1956

  • Ellington at Newport-Complete (1999; expansion and restoration of the complete 1956 Newport Jazz Festival performance)
  • ”A Drum is a Woman” (Jazz Track)
  • ”Duke Ellington and the Buck Clayton All Stars at Newport”
  • ”Al Hibbler with the Duke”
  • ”Historically Speaking: The Duke” (Rhino)
  • ”Studio Sessions, Chicago, 1956” (LMR)
  • ”The Complete Porgy and Bess”
  • ”Ellington '56” (Charly)
  • ”Blue Rose” (Columbia)
  • ”Live From The 1956 Stratford Festival” (Music and Arts)

1957

1958

  • Ellington indigos
  • Newport Jazz Festival
  • ”Jazz at the Plaza”(Columbia)
  • ”Black, Brown and Beige (Live)”
  • ”Blues in Orbit” (Columbia)
  • ”Duke Ellington at the Bal Masque”
  • ”The Cosmic Scene: Duke Ellington’s Spacemen” (Mosaic)
  • Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges: Side by Side
  • ”Blues Summit”
  • ”Duke Ellington at the Alhambra”
  • ”In Concert at the Pleyel Paris, 1958” (Magic)
  • ”Duke Ellington At The Alhambra” (Pablo)
  • ”Happy Reunion” (Sony)
  • ”The Duke in Munich” (Storyville)

1959

  • Jazz Party (Columbia)
  • Festival Session (Columbia)
  • ”The Ellington Suites”
  • Anatomy of a Murder (Soundtrack album) (Columbia)
  • Duke Ellington and Johnny Hodges: Back to Back
  • Elegant Mister Ellington
  • ”The Duke’s DJ Special” (Fresh Sound)
  • ”Live in Paris 1959” (Affinity)
  • ”Live at the Blue Note” (Roulette)
  • ”Back to Back” (Verve)

[edit] 1960s

In the 1960s, Ellington made recordings with a number of top stars, including Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald and Coleman Hawkins. He also wrote and recorded a number of suites, such as his religious "Sacred Concerts", the "Perfume Suite" and the "Latin American Suite."

1960

  • ”Three Suites” (Columbia)
  • ”Piano in the Background” (Columbia)
  • ”Piano in the Foreground” (Columbia)
  • ”The Nutcracker Suite”
  • ”Peer Gynt Suite/Suite Thursday”
  • ”Swinging Suites by Edward E. and Edward G.”
  • ”Paris Blues”
  • ”Reminiscing in Tempo” (1928-1960) (Columbia)
  • ”Unknown Session” (French Columbia)
  • ”Hot Summer Dance” (Red Baron)
  • ”Live At Monterey” 1960 (Status)

1961

  • Louis Armstrong & Duke Ellington (Roulette)
  • ”Together for the First Time! The Count Meets the Duke”
  • ”S.R.O.”
  • The Girl's Suite & The Perfume Suite (Columbia)
  • Paris Blues (Ryko)

1962

  • Duke Ellington & John Coltrane
  • Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins
  • Money Jungle
  • Afro-Bossa
  • ”Midnight in Paris” (Columbia)
  • ”All American in Jazz” (Columbia)
  • ”Will the Big Bands Ever Come Back?”
  • ”Duke Ellington Featuring Paul Gonsalves”
  • ”Studio Sessions, New York, 1962” (Saja)
  • ”Recollections of the Big Band Era” (Atlantic)
  • ”The Feeling of Jazz” (Black Lion)
  • ”Duke 56/62” (in three volumes) (CBS)

1963

  • The Great Paris Concert (released 1973)
  • A Morning in Paris (released 1996, reissue 2007/08)
  • ”Jazz Violin Session”
  • ”Studio Sessions, New York, 1963” (Saja)
  • ”In The Uncommon Market” (Pablo)
  • ”Serenade to Sweden” (Telstar)
  • ”My People” (Red Baron)
  • Wise Woman Blues” (Rosetta)

1964

  • ”Hits of the Sixties: This Time By Ellington”
  • ”Duke Ellington Plays Mary Poppins”
  • ”Jazz Group 1964” (Jazz Anthology)
  • ”Live at Carnegie Hall 1964” (Jazz Up)
  • ”Harlem” (Pablo)
  • ”All-Star Road Band” (CBS)
  • ”At Basin Street East” (Music & Arts)
  • ”London: The Great Concerts” (MusicMasters)
  • ”New York Concert” (Musicmasters)

1965

  • Concert in the Virgin Isles
  • Ella at Duke's Place (Verve)
  • The Symphonic Ellington (1985 reissue)
  • The Duke at Tanglewood
  • Jumpin’ Pumkins
  • ”'65 Revisited” (Affinity)
  • ”Two Great Concerts” (1949 and 1965) (Accord)
  • ”A Concert of Sacred Music From Grace Cathedral” (Status)

1966

1967

  • ...And His Mother Called Him Bill (Bluebird)
  • The Popular Duke Ellington
  • Intimacy of the Blues (Fantasy)
  • Johnny Come Lately
  • North of the Border in Canada
  • Live at the Rainbow Grill
  • ”Beyond Category: The Musical Genius of Duke Ellington” (1927-1967) (Smithsonian)
  • ”Live in Italy” (Jazz Up)
  • ”1967 European Tour” (Lone Hill)
  • ”Berlin '65 / Paris '67” (Pablo)
  • Collages
  • The Greatest Jazz Concert In The World (Pablo)
  • The Jaywalker* (Storyville)

1968

  • The Famed Fieldcup Concert
  • Francis A. & Edward K. (Reprise)
  • Latin American Suite (Fantasy)
  • Yale Concert (issued 1973) (Fantasy)
  • Second Sacred Concert (live) (Prestige)
  • ”Studio Sessions, New York, 1968” (Saja)
  • ”Live in Mexico” (Tring)

1969

  • 70th Birthday Concert (Blue Note)
  • The Intimate Ellington
  • Up in Duke’s Workshop
  • Pretty Woman
  • Standards: Live at at Salle Pleyel
  • ”April in Paris” (West Wind)

[edit] 1970s

Ellington remained active to the end of his life, recording three final major suites in the 1970s, his "Third Sacred Concert," the "New Orleans Suite," 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

  • New Orleans Suite (Atlantic)

1971

  • The Afro-Eurasian Eclipse (Fantasy)
  • Toga Brava Suite (Storyville)
  • ”The English Concerts: 1969 and 1971” (Sequel)
  • ”Up in Duke’s Workshop” (Pablo)

1972

  • Live at the Whitney (issued 1995) (Impulse)
  • This One's for Blanton (with Ray Brown)
  • ”The Ellington Suites” (Pablo)

1973

  • Duke's Big 4 (Pablo)
  • Collages
  • Third Sacred Concert
  • Duke Ellington & Teresa Brewer: It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing (Columbia)
  • ”Rugged Jungle” (Lost Secret Records)

1974

  • ”Eastbourne”

[edit] Box Sets

  • The Centennial Edition: The Complete RCA-Victor Recordings (1999) (24 discs)
  • Complete Works: 1924-1947 (Proper UK) (2003) (40 discs)
  • The Complete Capitol Recordings (Blue Note) (1999) (5 discs)
  • The Duke Box (Storyville) (2007) (8 discs)

  • 1936-40 Small Group Sessions (Mosaic, 7 discs)
  • Early Ellington: The Complete Brunswick And Vocalion Recordings Of Duke Ellington, 1926-1931
  • The Private Collection (1956-1971) (Saja) (10 discs)
  • ”The Reprise Studio Recordings” (Mosaic) (5 discs)

Ellington's 78-rpm recordings from 1924 to 1926, can be found on countless CDs, but often with very bad sound quality. The Centennial Edition, The Complete Brunswick And Vocalion Recordings and the Small Group Sessions stand out, being the most complete sets with far superior sound, often drawn from masters and mint condition records. Most of the remaining 78-rpm recordings for labels such as Okeh and Pathe, can be found on the French Classics series and the Complete Works: 1924-1947 box set.

[edit] Other

  • Duke Ellington's Incidental Music for Shakespeare's Play Timon of Athens, adapted by Stanley Silverman (1993). Ellington does not perform on this recording, but it includes previously unreleased compositions.

[edit] See also

[edit] Sources

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.