I received an odd response when I asked the avant-garde free saxophonist Peter Brotzmann what his favorite records were. He responded with a list of Duke Ellington titles. Funny, no strange that someone who practices so free from melody should admire Duke Ellington, a true composer’s composer. During this centenary celebration of Duke’s birth, when everyone is releasing every Ellington recording ever made, Telarc Jazz has compiled a tribute by their stable of artists. Of the tracks heard, eleven are drawn from previous releases, and two are unreleased tracks by Dave Brubeck. The collection gets started with Mel Torme’s “I’m going Fishin’” from the movie Anatomy of a Murder, he also covers “It Don’t Mean A Thing, If It Ain’t Got That Swing” and he plays the drums on “Rockin’ In Rhythm.” Oscar Peterson make an appearance on two tracks. But maybe the most impressive efforts here are by the guitarists. Joe Pass, Jim Hall, and Ulf Wakenius. Guitarists interpretations of the Ellington/Strayhorn piano lines sound delicate and so beautiful. Crooner Bobby Short covers “Take Love Easy” and two trios Ahmad Jamal and Andre Previn work out on “Do Nothing ‘Till You Hear From Me” and “ I Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good.” As the millennium approaches Duke Ellington’s place in jazz and American history seems secure. This release is a fitting tribute, but I’m holding out for an Ellington tribute by Peter Brotzmann.
Track List:I’m Gonna Go Fishing; In A Mellow Tone; Cotton Tail; Take The ‘A’ Train; In A Sentimental Mood; Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me; Rockin’ In Rhythm; I’ve Got It Bad And That Ain’t Good; Take Love Easy; Satin Doll; Things Ain’t What They Used To Be; Azure; It Don’t Mean A Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing.
All About Jazz has been a pillar of jazz since 1995, championing it as an art form and, more importantly, supporting the musicians who create it. Our enduring commitment has made "AAJ" one of the most culturally important websites of its kind, read by hundreds of thousands of fans, musicians and industry figures every month.
You Can Help
To expand our coverage even further and develop new means to foster jazz discovery and connectivity we need your help. You can become a sustaining member for a modest $20 and in return, we'll immediately hide those pesky ads plus provide access to future articles for a full year. This winning combination will vastly improve your AAJ experience and allow us to vigorously build on the pioneering work we first started in 1995. So enjoy an ad-free AAJ experience and help us remain a positive beacon for jazz by making a donation today.
We sent a confirmation message to . Look for it, then click the link to activate your account. If you don’t see the email in your inbox, check your spam, bulk or promotions folder.