Essence of Ellington

Essence of Ellington
Live album by William Parker Orchestra
Released September 11, 2012
Recorded February 5, 2012 at the Teatro Manzoni in Milano, Italy
Genre Jazz
Length 132:39
Label Centering
CENT1008/9
Producer William Parker
William Parker chronology

The Gowanus Session
(2012)
Essence of Ellington
(2012)
Wood Flute Songs
(2012)

Essence of Ellington (subtitled Live in Milano) is a double live album by bassist and composer William Parker's Orchestra, which was recorded in Italy in 2012 and released on the Centering label.[1][2]

Reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source Rating
AllMusic [3]

AllMusic awarded the album 4 stars.[3] The All About Jazz review noted "Parker has delivered a unique take on the Ellington repertoire which pulls of the trick of being both stridently modern and affectionately reverent".[4] JazzTimes noted "You know that an orchestra organized by William Parker to pay tribute to Duke Ellington is going to result in something sprawling and stupendous, and Essence of Ellington doesn’t disappoint".[5]


Track listing

All compositions by William Parker except as indicated

Disc One:

  1. Introduction by William Parker - 3:12
  2. "Portrait of Louisiana" - 20:15
  3. "Essence of Sophisticated Lady / Sophisticated Lady" (Parker / Duke Ellington) - 26:38
  4. "Take the Coltrane" (Ellington) - 21:09

Disc Two:

  1. "In a Sentimental Mood" (Ellington) - 7:28
  2. "Take the "A" Train / Ebony Interlude" (Billy Strayhorn / Parker) - 16:35
  3. "Caravan" (Juan Tizol) - 23:16
  4. "The Essence of Ellington" - 14:13

Personnel

References

  1. Lopez, R., William Parker discography, accessed June 6, 2014
  2. AUM Fidelity catalog, accessed June 6, 2014
  3. 3.0 3.1 Allmusic listing, accessed June 6, 2014
  4. Sharpe, J., All About Jazz Review, October 22, 2012
  5. Robson, B., JazzTimes Review, December 2012