The Swing Jazz of Duke Ellington

Duke Ellington

Source: Pre-Party

Born on 29 April 1899 in Washington D.C., seriously talented pianist and big band leader, Duke Ellington, was a major swing musician thought good enough to entertain white America, but not to eat in its dining rooms or sleep in its hotels. Ellington was father to trumpeter and bandleader, Mercer Ellington (1919-1996). He married a girl named Edna in 1918 who remained with him throughout his life.

The Duke had been a sign painter before beginning his recording career in 1924 in NYC with Wilbur Sweatman and his Acme Syncopators, two unissued titles of 'Battleship Kate' and 'She Loves Me'. Ellington's first to go to issue were possibly the same titles the same year recorded a month later on 18 September 1924 toward Gennett 5584. This, however, is yet a matter of dubiety. Tom Lord also suggests Walter Hall. Scott Alexander lists George Rickson though dated on 20 September 1924. References listing Ellington are the Duke Ellington Music Society and Masarykovy Univerzity.

'Battleship Kate'   Wilbur Sweatman's Acme Syncopators

Recorded 24 Sep 1924   Gennett 5584

Piano: Duke Ellington or Walter Hall or George Rickson

Cornet: Eugene Bud Aiken / Davis   Trombone: Calvin Jones

Clarinet: Sweatman   Alto sax: Percy Green   Tenor sax: Raymond Hernandez

 Banjo: Clyde Johnson or Mike Danzi   Tuba: Romy Jones

 Composition: Sweatman / Ada Rives

Ellington more certainly backed vocalist, Florence Bristol, with Otto Hardwick at C melody sax circa November 1924 toward 'How Come You Do Me Like You Do?. Hardwick would play reed with Ellington to 1928, again from 1931 to as late as 1946. Ellington's debut recordings as a leader with his Washingtonians arrived in November of 1924. That operation was composed of Bubber Miley (trumpet), Charlie Irvis (trombone), Otto Hardwick (alto sax), George Francis (banjo) and Sonny Greer (drums) recording two tracks each of 'Choo Choo' and 'Rainy Nights'. Those were followed by sessions with Greer, Alberta Pryme ('Parlor Social De Luxe') and Jo Trent ('Deacon Jazz'), all for the Blu-Disc label. Greer was Ellington's drummer to as late as 1951. He would also perform on Ellington's 1961 soundtrack for 'Paris Blues'. Virtually all piano herein is by Ellington, so I don't repeat it in lists of personnel.

'How Come You Do Me Like You Do?'   Duke Ellington backing Florence Bristol

Nov 1924    Up-To-Date UTD2019 / Blu Disc T-1001

C melody sax: Otto Hardwick

 Composition: Gene Austin / Roy Bergere

'Choo Choo'   Duke Ellington w the Washingtonians

 From Ellington's first session as a leader

 Recorded Nov 1924 in NYC   Matrix T2005-2   Blue Disc T1002

Trumpet: Bubber Miley   Trombone: Charlie Irvis   Alto sax: Otto Hardwick

 Banjo: George Francis   Drums: Sonny Greer

 Composition: Bob Schafer / Dave Ringle / Ellington

'Rainy Nights'   Duke Ellington w the Washingtonians

 From Ellington's first session as a leader

 Recorded Nov 1924 in NYC   Matrix T2006-2   Blue Disc T1002

Trumpet: Bubber Miley   Trombone: Charlie Irvis   Alto sax: Otto Hardwick

 Banjo: George Francis   Drums: Sonny Greer

 Composition: Jo Trent / Vincent Lopez / Will Donaldson

'What Can a Poor Fellow Do?'   Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

 Recorded 3 Nov 1927 in NYC   Okeh 40955

 Composition: Billy Meyers / Elmer Schoebel

'East St. Louis Toodle-Oo'   Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

 Recorded 19 Dec 1927 in NYC   Victor 21703

 Composition: Bubber Miley / Ellington

'Jubilee Stomp'   Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

 Recorded 19 Jan 1928   Okeh 41013

Trumpet: Louis Metcalf / Bubber Miley   Trombone: Joe Nanton

Clarinet or sax: Barney Bigard / Harry Carney / Otto Hardwick

 Banjo: Fred Guy   String bass: Wellman Braud   Drums: Sonny Greer

 Composition: Cootie Williams / Johnny Hodges / Ellington

'The Mooche'   Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

 Recorded 1 Oct 1928   Okeh 8623

Trumpet: Arthur Whetsol / Bubber Miley / Louis Metcalf   Trombone: Joe Nanton

Clarinet: Barney Bigard   Tenor sax: Johnny Hodges   Baritone sax: Harry Carney

Guitar: Lonnie Johnson   Banjo: Fred Guy

String bass: Wellman Braud   Drums: Sonny Greer

 Composition: Ellington / Irving Mills

Irving Mills, also a music publisher, had became Ellington's agent from 1925 to 1939, replaced by the William Morris Agency [see also Berman]. Ellington began his residency at the Cotton Club in latter 1927. He would run all manner of bands by various names throughout his career, maintaining his flagship Washingtonians only to 1929, their last session before their retirement yielding 'Doin' the Voom Voom', 'Flaming Youth' and 'Saturday Night Function'. String bassist, Wellman Braud, had joined Ellington's band in 1926 in time to record 'Washington Wobble' on 6 October 1927. Braud performed with Ellington to as late as 1935. It was with the Washingtonians that Ellington had first employed Johnny Hodges in 1928 who remained Ellington's man at clarinet or sax for the next four decades until his death in 1970. Ellington followed his last Washingtonians session with another with his Jungle Band with which he'd already recorded on a few occasions in 1929. Cootie Williams' first session with Ellington's operation was with his Jungle Band on 1 March 1929. Wiiliams played trumpet for Ellington into 1941. They worked together again with the Metronome All Stars in 1946.

'I Must Have That Man'   Duke Ellington w the Cotton Club Orchestra

 Recorded 15 Nov 1928 in NYC   Victor V38007

Trumpet: Bubber Miley / Arthur Whetsol / Freddie Jenkins   Trombone: Joe Nanton

Clarinet or sax: Harry Carney   Sax: Johnny Hodges / Barney Bigard / Otto Hardwicke

 Banjo: Fred Guy   String bass: Wellman Braud   Drums: Sonny Greer

 Composition: Jimmy McHugh / Dorothy Fields

'High Life'   Duke Ellington w the Cotton Club Orchestra

 Recorded 16 Jan 1929 in NYC   Victor V-38036A

 Composition: Ellington

Ellington appeared in his first film, 'Black and Tan', directed by Dudley Murphy toward release on 8 December 1929:

'Black and Tan Fantasie'   Duke Ellington w His Orchestra   Film

 Recorded Aug 1929 in NYC   Film directed by Dudley Murphy released December 8, 1929

Soundtrack personnel:

Trumpet: Arthur Whetsel / Freddy Jenkins / Cootie Williams

Trombone: Joe Nanton / Juan Tizol

Clarinet or sax: Barney Bigard / Harry Carney / Johnny Hodges

 Banjo: Fred Guy   String bass: Wellman Braud   Drums: Sonny Greer

Vocals: Hall Johnson Choir

 Composition: Jimmy McHugh / Dorothy Fields

'Shout 'Em Aunt Tillie'   Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

 Recorded 4 June 1930 in NYC   Victor 23041

 Composition: Ellington / Irving Mills

'Ring Dem Bells'   Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

 Recorded 26 Aug 1930 in Hollywood   Victor 22528

 Vocal: Cootie Williams   Composition: Ellington / Irving Mills

'Old Man Blues'   Duke Ellington w the Cotton Club Orchestra

 From the film 'Check and Double Check' directed by Melville Brown

Recorded August-Sept 1930 in Hollywood   Film released 25 Oct 1930

 Soundtrack personnel:

Trumpet: Cootie Williams / Arthur Whetso / Freddie Jenkins

Trombone: Joe Nanton / Juan Tizol

Clarinet or sax: Johnny Hodges / Barney Bigard / Harry Carney

Banjo: Fred Guy   String bass: Wellman Braud   Drums: Sonny Greer

Composition: Ellington

'Keep a Song In Your Soul'   Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

Recorded 16 Jan 1931   Victor 22614

Trumpet: Cootie Williams / Arthur Whetso / Freddie Jenkins

Trombone: Joe Nanton / Juan Tizol (valve)

Clarinet: Harry Carney   Alto sax: Johnny Hodges   Tenor sax: Barney Bigard

Banjo: Fred Guy   String bass: Wellman Braud   Drums: Sonny Greer

Vocal: Chick Bullock

Music: Fats Waller   Lyrics: Alexander Hill

Ellington first backed, vocalist, Ivie Anderson, on 2 February 1932 including 'It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)' with music by Ellington and lyrics by Irving Mills. It was also 2 February 1932 when the Mills Brothers recorded 'It Don't Mean a Thing' to reach the Top Ten at #7. This was the first of numerous titles composed by Ellington to perform highly on the popularity charts and probably entered "swing" into the vernacular thereat firmly commencing the musical genre. As for Anderson, she was a steady feature with Ellington's operation for another decade to as late as 1942.

'It Don't Mean a Thing'   Duke Ellington w His Famous Orchestra

Recorded 2 Feb 1932   Brunswick 6265

Trumpet: Cootie Williams / Arthur Whetso / Freddie Jenkins

Trombone: Joe Nanton / Juan Tizol / Lawrence Brown

Clarinet or sax: Barney Bigard / Harry Carney   Sax: Johnny Hodges

Banjo: Fred Guy   String bass: Wellman Braud   Drums: Sonny Greer

Vocal: Ivie Anderson

Music: Ellington   Lyrics: Irving Mills

'It Don't Mean a Thing'   Mills Brothers

Recorded 2 Feb 1932   Brunswick 6377   Charts #7

Music: Ellington   Lyrics: Irving Mills

Ben Webster's first session on tenor sax with Ellington's orchestra had been on 19 August 1935 in New York City, again in 1936. Webster sat in Ellington's orchestra steadily from 1940 into 1943 with reunions in 1945, 1948, 1949 and 1966.

Among Ellington's major credits was the hiring of pianist, Billy Strayhorn, in 1939 whom he had met the year before. Strayhorn arranged, composed and otherwise collaborated with Ellington until his death (Strayhorn's) of cancer in 1967. Strayhorn's first composition for Ellington was 'Something to Live For' recorded on 21 March 1939. He also composed 'Take the 'A' Train' recorded in 1939.

It was 1 November 1939 that Jimmy Blanton had first recorded in Ellington's orchestra. Blanton performed string bass for Ellington through December of 1941.

Ellington had first backed vocalist, Herb Jeffries, on 9 January 1940 in Boston. Jeffries continued with Ellington's orchestra to 1942.

Ellington had recorded 'Never No Lament' in May 1940 in Hollywod. This would become his more famous 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore':

'Never No Lament'   Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

Recorded 4 May 1940 in Hollywood   Victor 26610

Original title of 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore'

Music: Ellington   Lyrics: Bob Russell

Ray Nance joined Ellington's orchestra in time for a session on 7 November 1940 in Fargo, North Dakota. Nance distinguished himself as both a trumpeter and violinist with Ellington's operation continuously for another quarter century to 1966 with a reunion in 1973.

In December 1940 Ellington recorded 'Flamingo' which reached Billboard's R&B at #13 in 1941 [Music VF]. Ellington's most popular title overall has probably been 'Take the 'A' Train' which version in February of 1941 for Victor is presumed to be what reached #13 in July 1941 though he recorded this multiple times that year and repeatedly for the rest of his career. Ellington's first title to top Billboard's R&B was 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore' reaching #1 in July 1943. Twelve of Ellington's issues reached the Top Ten of Billboard from 1942 to 1945. A decade later his release of 'Skin Deep' composed by Louis Bellson reached #7 in the United Kingdom.

   Nov 1942 #10   Hayfoot, Strawfoot   McGrane / Lenk / Drake
   May 1943 #1   Don't Get Around Much Anymore   Ellington / Russell
   Aug 1943 #1   A Slip of the Lip   Henderson / Mercer Ellington
   Sep 1943 #1   Sentimental Lady   Ellington
   Jan 1944 #1   Do Nothin' Till You Hear from Me   Ellington / Russell
   March 1944 #1   Main Stem   Ellington
   June 1944 #4   My Little Brown Book   Billy Strayhorn
   June 1944 #7   Someone   Ellington
   Dec 1944 #9   I Don't Mind   Ellington
   Jan 1945 #4   I'm Beginning to See the Light   Ellington / George / Hodges / James
   Jan 1945 #10   Don't You Know I Care   Ellington / David
   March 1945 #4   I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues   Ellington / George
   March 1954 #7 United Kingdom    Skin Deep   Louis Bellson
  

'Take the 'A' Train'   Duke Ellington w His Famous Orchestra

Recorded 15 Feb 1941 in Hollywood   Victor 27380   Charts #13

Cornet: Rex Stewart   Trumpet: Wallace Jones / Ray Nance (violin)

Trombone: Joe Nanton / Juan Tizol / Lawrence Brown

Clarinet or sax: Barney Bigard / Otto Hardwick / Harry Carney

Alto sax: Johnny Hodges   Tenor sax: Ben Webster

Banjo: Fred Guy   String bass: Jimmy Blanton   Drums: Sonny Greer

Composition: Billy Strayhorn

Mercer Ellington had arranged a session for his father as early as 21 January 1942. The Duke contributed piano to 'Set 'Em Up' in Mercer's orchestra backing Sarah Forde in 1950. Mercer performed in his father's orchestra continuously from 1965 to 1974.

'Moon Mist' ('Atmosphere')   Duke Ellington w His Famous Orchestra

Recorded 21 Jan 1942 in Chicago   Victor 27856

Cornet: Rex Stewart   Trumpet: Wallace Jones / Ray Nance (violin)

Trombone: Joe Nanton / Lawrence Brown / Juan Tizol (valve)

Clarinet or sax: Barney Bigard / Otto Hardwick / Harry Carney

Alto sax: Johnny Hodges   Tenor sax: Ben Webster

Guitar: Fred Guy   String bass: Junior Raglin   Drums: Sonny Greer

Arrangement: Duke & Mercer Ellington

Composition: Mercer Ellington

'Take the 'A' Train'   Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

From the film 'Reveille with Beverly" directed by Charles Barton   Released 4 Feb 1943

Cornet: Rex Stewart   Trumpet: Shorty Baker / Wallace Jones / Ray Nance

Trombone: Joe Nanton / Lawrence Brown / Juan Tizol (valve)

Alto sax: Johnny Hodges / Otto Hardwick

Tenor sax: Chauncy Haughton / Ben Webster   Bass sax: Harry Carney

Guitar: Fred Guy   String bass: Junior Raglin   Drums: Sonny Greer

Vocal: Betty Roché

Composition: Billy Strayhorn

Al Hibler was another vocalist whom Ellington backed, their first session on 27 June 1943. Hibler was a steady feature with Ellington's orchestra to as late as 1951.

'Don't Get Around Much Anymore'   Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

Issued 1949 on Columbia 38464

Vocal: Al Hibbler

Music: Ellington   Lyrics: Bob Russell

'Satin Doll'   Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

First recording of 'Satin Doll'

Recorded 6 April 1953    Capitol 2458

Trumpet: Clark Terry / Willie Cook / Cat Anderson / Ray Nance

Trombone: Quentin Jackson / Britt Woodman / Juan Tizol

Clarinet / sax: Russell Procope / Jimmy Hamilton / Harry Carney

Alto sax: Rick Henderson   Tenor sax: Paul Gonsalves

String bass: Wendell Marshall   Drums: Butch Ballard

Music: Ellington / Billy Strayhorn   Lyrics: Johnny Mercer

'All of Me'   Duke Ellington w His All Star Road Band

Recorded June 1957 at the Sunset Ballroom in Carrolltown PA

First issued on 'All Star Road Band' per Doctor Jazz W2X39137 in 1983

See also 'Duke Ellington' on Jazzy J304

Cornet: Ray Nance   Trumpet: Clark Terry / Harold Baker / Willie Cook

Trombone: Britt Woodman / John Sanders / Quentin Jackson

Clarinet / sax: Russell Procope / Jimmy Hamilton / Harry Carney

Alto sax: Johnny Hodges   Tenor sax: Paul Gonsalves

String bass: Joe Benjamin   Drums: Sam Woodyard

Music: Seymour Simons / Gerald Marks

'Shakespeare Suite'   Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

Radio broadcast on 1 July 1957 at the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park IL

 Trumpet: Cat Anderson / Willie Cook / Clark Terry / Ray Nance (violin)

Trombone: Quentin Jackson / Britt Woodman / John Sanders (valve)

Clarinet: Russell Procope / Jimmy Hamilton / Harry Carney

Sax: Johnny Hodges / Paul Gonsalves / Russell Procope / Jimmy Hamilton

Piano: Billy Strayhorn (also Ellington)

String bass: Jimmy Woode   Drums: Sam Woodyard

The fourth and final 'Timex All Star Jazz Show' titled 'The Golden Age of Jazz' was recorded on 7 January 1959. This featured multiple bands including Duke's orchestra and Louis Armstrong's All Stars. There were four broadcasts of the 'Timex All Star Jazz Show' from 1957 to 1959. The Duke and Armstrong would record together on multiple occasions in 1961. Coleman Hawkins was also part of the fourth 'Timex All Star Jazz Show' performing with the Timex All Stars. Hawkins and Ellington would record the album 'Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins in 1962.

'Things Ain't What They Used to Be'   Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

'Timex All Star Jazz Show' titled 'The Golden Age of Jazz' recorded on 7 January 1959

 Trumpet: Cat Anderson / Harold Baker / Clark Terry / Ray Nance

Trombone: Quentin Jackson / Britt Woodman / John Sanders

Alto sax: Johnny Hodges   Tenor sax: Paul Gonsalves

Other reeds: Jimmy Hamilton / Russell Procope / Harry Carney

String bass: Jimmy Woode   Drums: Gus Johnson

Composition: J.J. Johnson / Al Grey

Drummer, Max Roach, joined Louis Armstrong in Ellington's orchestra to record the soundtrack to 'Paris Blues' in May 1961.

'Paris Blues'   Duke Ellington w His Orchestra   Soundtrack

Recorded 2-3 May 1961 featuring Louis Armstrong

 Trumpet: Cat Anderson / Harold Baker / Ed Mullens / Willie Cook / Ray Nance

Trombone: Britt Woodman / Lawrence Brown / Louis Blackburn / Murray McEachern

Valve trombone: Juan Tizol

Alto sax: Johnny Hodges / Oliver Nelson   Tenor sax: Paul Gonsalves

Other reeds: Russell Procope / Jimmy Hamilton / Arthur Clark / Harry Carney

Oboe: Harry Smiles   Flute/ guitar: Les Spann

Drums: Jimmy Johnson / Sonny Greer / Max Roach / Dave Jackson / Philly Joe Jones

Conducted by Lawrence Brown

In July of 1961 Ellington and Count Basie joined one another at piano with combined orchestras toward the album, 'First Time! The Count Meets the Duke'.

'First Time! The Count Meets The Duke'   Duke Ellington w His Orchestra   Album

Recorded 6 July 1961 in NYC

 Trumpet: Cat Anderson / Willie Cook / Ed Mullens / Ray Nance

 Trumpet: Sonny Cohn / Lennie Johnson / Thad Jones / Snooky Young

Trombone: Lou Blackburn / Lawrence Brown / Henry Coker / Quentin Jackson / Benny Powell

Valve trombone: Juan Tizol   Oboe: Harry Smiles

Alto sax: Johnny Hodges   Tenor sax: Paul Gonsalves

Baritone sax: Harry Carney / Charlie Fowlkes

Other reeds: Russell Procope / Marshal Royal / Jimmy Hamilton

Sax / flute: Frank Wess   Guitar: Freddie Green

String bass: Aaron Bell / Eddie Jones   Drums: Sam Woodyard / Sonny Payne

On 18 August 1962 Ellington performed piano with Coleman Hawkins (saxophone) and Max Roach (drums) toward the album, 'Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins'.

'Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins'   Duke Ellington   Album

Recorded 18 Aug 1962

Cornet / violin: Ray Nance   Trombone: Lawrence Brown

Alto sax: Johnny Hodges   Tenor sax: Coleman Hawkins

Baritone clarinet / baritone sax: Harry Carney

String bass: Aaron Bell   Drums: Sam Woodyard

On 17 September 1962 Ellington performed piano with Charles Mingus (upright bass) and Max Roach toward the album, 'Money Jungle':

'Money Jungle'   Duke Ellington

From the album 'Money Jungle' recorded 17 Sep 1962

String bass: Charles Mingus   Drums: Max Roach

Composition: Ellington

On 26 September 1962 Ellington joined saxophonist, John Coltrane, toward the album 'Duke Ellington & John Coltrane'.

'Take The Coltrane'   Duke Ellington   Album

From the album 'Duke Ellington & John Coltrane' recorded 26 Sep 1962

Album personnel:   Saxophone: John Coltrane

String bass: Aaron Bell / Jimmy Garrison   Drums: Elvin Jones / Sam Woodyard

Composition: Ellington

Ellington himself considered his most important works to be the three Sacred Concerts that he composed in 1965, 1968 and 1973.

'Sacred Concert'   Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

Recorded 16 Sep 1965 at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco CA

 Trumpet: Cootie Williams / Cat Anderson / Herbie Jones / Mercer Ellington

Trombone: Lawrence Brown / Buster Cooper / Chuck Connors (bass)

Alto sax: Johnny Hodges   Tenor sax: Paul Gonsalves

Other reeds: Russell Procope / Harry Carney

String bass: John Lamb   Drums: Louie Bellson

Vocals: Esther Marrow / Jimmy McPhail / Jon Hendricks

Herman McCoy Choir / Grace Cathedral Choir

'Mood Indigo'   Duke Ellington   Video

Recorded 23 Jan 1967 in Denmark

String bass: John Lamb   Drums: Rufus Jones

Music: Barney Bigard / Ellington 1930   Lyrics: Irving Mills

First recorded by Ellington w the Harlem Footwarmers in NYC on 14 Oct 1930

'Portrait of Wellman Braud'   Duke Ellington w His Orchestra

From the album 'New Orleans Suite' recorded 13 May 1970

 Album personnel:

Trumpet: Cootie Williams / Cat Anderson / Fred Stone / Money Johnson / Al Rubin

Trombone: Booty Wood / Julian Priester / Dave Taylor / Chuck Connors

Alto sax: Johnny Hodges   Tenor sax: Paul Gonsalves

Other reeds: Russell Procope / Norris Turney / Harry Carney

Organ: Wild Bill Davis   String bass: Joe Benjamin   Drums: Rufus Jones

Composition: Ellington

Upon a remarkably full career Ellington published his autobiography, 'Music Is My Mistress', in 1973. Tom Lord traces Ellington at piano to as late as Georgetown University in Washington DC on 10 February 1974 but shows no issues except Ellington's introduction. He is thought to have given his final concert in March 1974 at Northern Illinois University, the year he died that May on the 24th of lung cancer and pneumonia. His last words before his funeral were reportedly, "Music is how I live, why I live and how I will be remembered." His son, Mercer, assumed leadership of Ellington's band until his own death in 1996. Among countless honors such as multiple doctorates Ellington won a Pulitzer Special Award in 1999. In 2009 the U.S. Mint issued the Duke Ellington coin.