Style: Live jazz
Primary Emotions/Themes: Listening to one of the best to ever do it in a live setting
Thoughts: It's 1956. Duke Ellington's big band is scheduled to appear that Newport Jazz Festival. What I wouldn't give to have been there to see this live - often considered one of the best performances of Ellington's career. I guess this record will have to do.
Ellington is known for his piano work, but for a long while he was the leader of a big band... and this live album showcases that band to the fullest. A full horn section, complimented by clarinet and saxophone. The rhythm section has both a bass and double upright bass along with the drums. In all there are eighteen musicians credited on the album.
The songs range from bombastic to gentle, subtle to overt, complex to simplistic. The variety here is phemoninal, and listening to the way that one instrument will take the lead then gracefully pass it on to the next is some of the best things that could be gracing my ears at any given moment.
The second track Blues To Be There is probably my favorite. Unsurprisingly it has a strong blues tone to it, led by Duke's piano noodling. He will play the main melody and then put his own flare into it only to pass it off to the horn section to do the same. They eventually volley the melody back to Duke and he then graciously passes it on for another musician to solo over. It's a perfect representation of how big band music is supposed to work and it's executed flawlessly... in a live setting no less.
When I was reading up on the history of this release I found that Duke Ellington didn't even have a record deal going into this concert. It was here that he got his Columbia deal that vaulted the rest of his career. I had no idea about all of this when I picked up the record. I just knew that I liked Duke's playing and wanted some more in my collection. What a wonderful record with a rich history behind it. I think I'm going to be adding some more Duke in the near future again.
Written July 3rd 2024
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