Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » Duke Ellington And His Orchestra: The Treasury Shows, Volume 19

5

Duke Ellington And His Orchestra: The Treasury Shows, Volume 19

By

Sign in to view read count
Duke Ellington And His Orchestra: The Treasury Shows, Volume 19
In 1946 the uneasy truce between industry and organized labor in the U.S.A which had persisted for the duration of World War Two came to an abrupt end. Coal miners and railroad workers came out on strike and jazz bands were banned by the American Federation of Musicians under its autocratic boss James C. Petrillo from broadcasting live.

In such acrimony, the swing era was over. The big bands of Benny Goodman, Woody Herman, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, Les Brown, Harry James, Jack Teagarden and Benny Carter all called it a day. That the Duke Ellington Orchestra was able to survive was largely as a result of the special exemption it was granted by Petrillo to play a series of radio shows promoting the sale of US Treasury bonds.

As part of the deal, The American Broadcasting Company had its announcers repeat like a mantra references to "the cooperation of the American Federation of Musicians, James C. Petrillo, president."

Transcriptions of these literally passée shows on CD provide modern listeners with a unique opportunity to hear Ellington earning his living, demonstrating his patriotism by plugging the Treasury bonds and building his band's future.

For, as William McFadden points out in his informative sleeve note, Ellington was in the process of creating three bands in one. There would be a concert band to play his longer "works"; a jazz band boasting some of the best soloists of the day; and a dance band for any survivors of the swing era who still felt like cutting a rug.

The embryonic concert band is represented here with "Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blue," as two movements either side of "Transblucency," featuring Kay Davis's marvellous wordless vocal. American Broadcasting Company announcer Bernie Mack, while never once mispronouncing the hallowed name of James C. Petrillo, manages to rename Ellington's works, "Diminuendo And Crescendo In Blues."

The jazz band plays a swinging arrangement of the Earle Warren number "9:20 Special" by ex-Basie sideman, trumpeter Buck Clayton. And there are plenty of numbers for people who remember how to dance, "Three Cent Stomp" and "Fancy Dan" to name but two.

Whenever things threaten to flag, there's always Ray "Floor Show" Nance. His relaxed vocal on "Just A-Sittin' And A- Rockin'" puts to shame Al Hibbler, Ellington's regular male vocalist. Hibbler managed to sound stiff and pompous no matter what he sang. Here his vocal on "Flamingo" is mercifully cut short as the tape runs out.

Let's not forget the real star of the show, Edward Kennedy Ellington. Duke's in great form here, and when it comes to plugging the Treasury bonds, he adds a human touch by describing how "Sally Brown's father" is buying them to give to his daughter on her wedding day, while "a guy called Joe" is handing out cigars to celebrate the birth of his son then buying the bonds that will pay for the boy's education.

Ah yes, those were the days... and all thanks to the American Federation Of Musicians, James C. Petrillo, president.

Track Listing

Take The A Train; Just A-Sittin' And A-Rockin'; 9:20 Special; I Can't Get Started; Flamingo; Fancy Dan; Diminuendo in Blue; Transblucency; Crescendo In Blue; Someone; Three Cent Stomp; I'm Just A Lucky So- And-So; Barzallai Lew; The C Jam Blues; Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me; Subtle Slough; Take The A Train.

Personnel

Duke Ellington And His Orchestra
band / ensemble / orchestra

Ray Nance, Shelton Hemphill, Taft Jordan, Francis Williams, Cat Anderson, Reunald Jones: trumpets; Joe Nanton, Lawrence Brown, Claude Jones, Wilbur De Paris, Bernard Archer: trombones; Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope, Al Sears, Harry Carney, Nat Jones, Elbert “Skippy” Williams: reeds; Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn: piano; Fred Guy: guitar; Oscar Pettiford, Junior Raglin: bass; Sonny Greer: drums; Kay Davis, Al Hibbler: vocals.

Album information

Title: The Treasury Shows, Volume 19 | Year Released: 2015 | Record Label: Storyville Records

Comments

Tags


For the Love of Jazz
Get the Jazz Near You newsletter 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.
View events near New York City
Jazz Near New York City
Events Guide | Venue Guide | Local Businesses | More...

More

What Was Happening
Bobby Wellins Quartet
Laugh Ash
Ches Smith
A New Beat
Ulysses Owens, Jr. and Generation Y

Popular

Eagle's Point
Chris Potter
Light Streams
John Donegan - The Irish Sextet

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.