Most Duke Ellington tribute concerts and recordings rely on just a handful of his compositions (Mood Indigo, Satin Doll, In A Sentimental Mood, etc.). The Duke Ellington Society refers to these songs as “the usual suspects.” While they are worthy of their status as standards, Ellington wrote thousands of compositions; there is plenty of his oeuvre that is ripe for exploration!

Serenade to Sweden (CD: “The Complete 1933-1940 Brunswick, Columbia and Master Recordings of Duke Ellington and his Famous Orchestra” Mosaic Records #248)

Recorded 6 June 1939, New York City

Wallace Jones, Cootie Williams, Rex Stewart – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwick, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Billy Taylor – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Serenade to Sweden (CD: Duo Campion-Vachon, “Duke Ellington,” Analekta AN 2 9820)

Released 2005

Guy Campion, Mario Vachon – piano.

Lady of the Lavender Mist (Duke Ellington: The Columbia Years 1927-1962 [3 disk set] Columbia 5176872)

Recorded 14 August 1947 in Los Angeles

Shelton Hemphill, Dud Bascomb, Francis Williams, Harold Baker, Ray Nance – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Claude Jones, Tyree Glenn – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Al Sears, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Oscar Pettiford – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Lady of the Lavender Mist (CD: Anais Reno, “Lady of the Lavender Mist” Club44 Records – CL44-4207)

Recorded 2025

Anais Reno – vocal; Peter Bernstein – guitar; David Wong – bass, and Joe Farnsworth – drums.

Thanks for the Beautiful Land on the Delta (CD: “New Orleans Suite,” Warner Bros. 7411644)

Recorded 27 April 1970, New York City

Cootie Williams, Al Rubin, Mercer Ellington, Fred Stone – trumpets; Booty Wood, Julian Priester, Malcolm Taylor – trombones; Russell Procope, Norris Turney, Johnny Hodges, Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

Thanks for the Beautiful Land on the Delta (CD: Barrie Lee Hall, Jr., “The Duke Ellington Small Band”)

Recorded 2006

Barrie Lee Hall, Jr. – trumpet; Dion Tucker – trombone; Charlie Young – alto sax; Shelley Carrol – tenor sax; Robert Landham – baritone sax; Tommy James – piano; Hassan Shakur – bass; Quentin “Rocky” White – drums.

The Telecasters (LP/CD “Such Sweet Thunder” Columbia CL 1033/Columbia/Legacy 65568)

Recorded 15 April 1957, New York City

Willie Cook, Cat Anderson, Clark Terry, Ray Nance – trumpet; Britt Woodman, Quentin Jackson, John Sanders – trombones; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Jimmy Woode – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.

The Telecasters (CD: Brian Landrus,“Brian Landrus Plays Ellington & Strayhorn,” Palmetto Records)

Recorded 6/7 August 2023, Brooklyn

Brian Landrus – baritone sax, bass sax, bass clarinet, contra alto clarinet, piccolo, c flute, alto flute, bass flute; Dave Stryker – electric and acoustic guitar; Jay Anderson – acoustic bass; Billy Hart – drums.

The Single Petal of a Rose (from the Queen’s Suite) (CD:  “The Ellington Suites” Original Jazz Classics OJC 34614)

Recorded 5 October 1972, New York City

Duke Ellington – piano; Jimmy Woode – bass.

Single Petal of a Rose (CD: Ben Webster, “See You at the Fair,” Impulse! – GRD-121)

Recorded 11 March 1964, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Ben Webster – tenor sax; Hank Jones – piano; Richard Davis – bass; Osie Johnson – drums.

Lotus Blossom (CD: Paul Gonsalves/Ray Nance, “Just A-Sittin’ And A-Rockin’,” Black Lion Records – BLCD760148)

Recorded 28 August 1970, New York City

Ray Nance – violin; Paul Gonsalves – tenor sax; Raymond Fol – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

Lotus Blossom (CD: Hank Jones, “West of 5th,” Chesky Records – SACD313)

Recorded 2006

Hank Jones – piano; Christian McBride – bass; Jimmy Cobb – drums.

Lotus Blossom (CD: Duke Ellington, “An Intimate Piano Session,” Storyville – 1018445)

Recorded 25 August 1972, New York City

Duke Ellington – piano

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

The Drum is a Wild Woman – Patricia G. Lespinasse

A Drum is a Woman/A Drum is a Woman – Part 2 (CD: “A Drum is a Woman” Sony Music Distribution COL4713202)

Recorded 25 September 1956, New York City

Willie Cook, Cat Anderson, Ray Nance – trumpet; Clark Terry – trumpet, flugelhorn; Britt Woodman, Quentin Jackson, John Sanders – trombones; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Rick Henderson, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano and narration; Jimmy Woode – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums; Margaret Tynes – vocal.

Sax Expat Don Byas – Con Chapman

Diminuendo in Blue (LP: “Paris Jazz Party” Affinity AFF 57)

Recorded 1 November 1969, Paris

Cootie Williams, Cat Anderson, Mercer Ellington, Ambrose Jackson, Harold “Money” Johnson – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Francois Guin, Chuck Connors – trombone; Don Byas, Russell Procope, Norris Turney, Johnny Hodges, Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Victor Gaskin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

Duke Ellington’s Symphonic Visions – Luca Bragalini

La Scala, She Too Pretty to be Blue (CD: “The Reprise Studio Recordings” Mosaic Records #193)

Recorded 21 February 1963, Milan

Cootie Williams, Roy Burrowes, Cat Anderson, Ray Nance – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors – trombone; Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Jimmy Hamilton, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Ernie Shepard – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums; La Scala Symphony Orchestra.

A Tone Parallel to Duke Ellington, The Man in the Music – Jack Chambers

Soul Soothing Beach (CD: “Duke Ellington Live at the Whitney” Impulse! IMP 11732)

Recorded 10 April 1972, Whitney Museum, New York City

Duke Ellington – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

Soul Soothing Beach (CD: “Togo Brava Suite” Blue Note Records 7243 8 30082)

Recorded 22 October 1971, Bristol, UK

Cootie Williams, Johnny Coles, Harold “Money” Johnson, Eddie Preston, Mercer Ellington – trumpet; Booty Wood, Malcolm Taylor, Chuck Connors – trombone; Russell Procope, Norris Turney, Harold Minerve, Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds ; Duke Ellington – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

Concerto for Cootie – The Life and Times of Cootie Williams – Steven C. Bowie

Charade (CD: “The Reprise Studio Recordings” Mosaic Records #193)

Recorded  19 May 1964, New York City

Cootie Williams, Cat Anderson, Herbie Jones, Rolf Ericson – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Peck Morrison – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.

Bateau (LP: “Up In Duke’s Workshop” Pablo 2310-815)

Recorded 9 December 1970, New York City

Cootie Williams, Al Rubin, Cat Anderson, Harold “Money” Johnson – trumpet; Booty Wood, Malcolm Taylor, Chuck Connors – trombone; Norris Turney, Russell Procope, Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Wild Bill Davis – organ; Joe Benjamin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

“At least one day out of the year all musicians should just put their instruments down, and give thanks to Duke Ellington.”

-Miles Davis

My Love (LP: “Duke Ellington’s Third Sacred Concert, The Majesty of God” RCA APL 1-0785)

Recorded 24 October 1973, Westminster Abbey, London

Mercer Ellington, Harold “Money” Johnson, Barry Lee Hall, Johnny Coles – trumpet; Vince Prudente, Art Baron, Chuck Connors – trombone; Russell Procope, Harold Minerve,  Harold Ashby, Percy Marion, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Quentin “Rocky” White – drum; Alice Babs – vocal.

My Love (CD: “Who Knows? The Uncovered Ellington” 33 Records 33 Jazz 104)

Recorded 21 July/8 October 2003 Bexley, UK

Brian Priestley – piano; Bruce Adams – trumpet; Frank Griffith – clarinet, tenor sax; Simon Woolf – bass; Steve Brown – drums.

Warm Valley (CD: “Brian Landrus Plays Ellington & Strayhorn” Palmetto Records)

Recorded 6/7 August 2023, Brooklyn

Brian Landrus – baritone sax, bass sax, bass clarinet, contra alto clarinet, piccolo, c flute, alto flute, bass flute; Dave Stryker – electric and acoustic guitar; Jay Anderson – acoustic bass; Billy Hart – drums.

Moonbow (CD: “Blues to Be There” Bandcamp)

Recorded  June 13/14 & July 19, 2022 Ferndale, MI

RJ Spangler, congas, bandleader ; James O’Donnell, Charlie Miller – trumpet; Tbone Paxton – trombone; Alex Colista, Goode Wyche III, Ryan Bills, Kasan Belgrave – reeds; Michael Zaporski, piano; Trevor Lamb, string bass; Sean Perlmutter, drums.

Moonbow ((CD: “The Reprise Studio Recordings” Mosaic Records #193)

Addi (CD: “Live in Poland (1971)” Squatty Roo Records – SR-0268)

Recorded 30 October 1971, Warsaw

Harold “Money” Johnson, Johnny Coles, Cootie Williams, Eddie Preston, Mercer Ellington – trumpet; Booty Wood, Malcolm Taylor, Chuck Connors – trombone; Russell Procope, Norris Turney, Harold Minerve, Harold Ashby, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

Addi (CD: “Echoes of Harlem” Bandcamp)

Recorded January 3, 4 & 7 2024 Ann Arbor, MI

RJ Spangler, congas, bandleader ; James O’Donnell, Charlie Miller – trumpet; Tbone Paxton – trombone; Alex Colista, Goode Wyche III, Christopher Tabaczynski – reeds; Michael Zaporski, piano; Trevor Lamb, string bass; Sean Perlmutter, drums.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/the-magazine-suite.mp3

“The Magazine Suite is an entirely new three-part composition. The band played it a few more times in 1945 and 1946 but never thereafter. It is remarkable how many Ellington compositions were allowed to sink without trace like this, suggesting that the Duke wrote much more than he could keep in his orchestra’s repertoire. This is a shame, as pieces like The Magazine Suite are full of invention.”

 – Tony Augarde

Down Beat Shuffle/Esquire Swank/Metronome All Out (CD: “Duke Ellington and his Orchestra, Volume Five” Circle CCD-105)

Recorded 31 July 1945, New York City

Shelton Hemphill, Rex Stewart, Taft Jordan, Cat Anderson, Ray Nance – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Claude Jones – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Otto Hardwick, Johnny Hodges, Al Sears, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Junior Raglin – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Metronome All Out (CD: “Duke Ellington, The Centennial Edition” RCA Victor ‎– 09026-63386-2)

Recorded 15 January 1946, New York City

Harry Edison, Pete Candoli, Neal Hefti, Sonny Berman – trumpet; Tommy Dorsey, Bill Harris, J C Higginbotham – trombone; Buddy De Franco, Herbie Fields, Johnny Hodges, Flip Phillips, George Auld, Harry Carney – reeds; Teddy Wilson – piano; Red Norvo – vibes; Tiny Grimes, Billy Bauer – guitar; Chubby Jackson – bass; Dave Tough – drums; Duke Ellington – conductor.

For more information, visit this link.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

“The Latin-American Suite was unusual in that it was written while we were actually touring Latin America for the first time in 1968. I had originally agreed with impresario Gary Keys, who was responsible for the Mexican part of the tour, to present a new work in Mexico City. Some importance was attached to this, for he was making a film of the trip.”

-Duke Ellington, Music is my Mistress

The Mexican Suite (CD: “Duke Ellington Live in Mexico” Tring JHD016)

Recorded September 1968, Palacio de Bellas Artes, Mexico City

Cootie Williams, Cat Anderson, Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones, Willie Cook – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors – trombone; Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harold Ashby, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Jeff Castleman – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

Eque/Brasilliance (CD: “Latin American Suite” Fantasy OJCCD-469-2)

Recorded 5 November 1968, New York City

Cootie Williams, Cat Anderson, Mercer Ellington, Willie Cook – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors – trombone; Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harold Ashby, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Jeff Castleman – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

Tina

Recorded 7 January 1970, Las Vegas

Duke Ellington – piano; Jeff Castleman – bass; Rufus Jones – drums.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

In 1994, Mercer appeared on an episode of Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz  – On this 1994 episode of Piano Jazz, Mercer Ellington joins host Marian McPartland to discuss working for his famous father, composing and Billy Strayhorn, and to play a piano duet of “C Jam Blues.” Mercer Ellington’s own composition skills shine in “Moon Mist.”

https://www.npr.org/2015/03/13/392842995/mercer-ellington-on-piano-jazz

Here’s the link to make a donation to USC Arcadia Hospital: https://www.uscarcadiahospital.org/foundation/make-a-donation/

Portrait for Pea (CD: “New Mood Indigo” Doctor Jazz FDD 5002)

Recorded 5 January 1966, New York City

Ray Nance – cornet; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Paul Gonsalves – tenor sax; Harry Carney -baritone sax; Chick Corea – piano; Aaron Bell – bass; Louis Bellson – drums.

(CD: “Continuum” Fantasy FCD-24765-2)

Blue Serge

Recorded 16-17 July 1974, New York City

 Mercer Ellington – conductor; Cootie Williams, James “Buddy” Bolden, Harold “Money” Johnson, Barrie Lee Hall, Jr. – trumpet; Art Baron, Vince Prudente, Chuck Connors – trombone; Harold Minerve, James Spaulding, Maurice Simon, Harold Ashby, Harry Carney – reeds; Lloyd Mayers – piano; Larry Ridley – bass; Quentin “Rocky” White – drums.

Harlem Air Shaft

Recorded 6-7 January 1975, Chicago 

Mercer Ellington – conductor; Cootie Williams, James “Buddy” Bolden, Harold “Money” Johnson, Barrie Lee Hall, Jr., Calvin Ladner – trumpet; Art Baron, Vince Prudente, Chuck Connors – trombone; Harold Minerve, Maurice Simon, Harold Ashby, Ricky Ford, Anatole Gerasimov, Joe Temperley – reeds; Lloyd Mayers – piano; Edward Ellington II – guitar; J. J. Wiggins – bass; Freddie Waits – drums.

The Duke’s Suite / Danske Onje (Danish Eyes) – (CD: “Music is my Mistress” Music Masters CIJD 60185K)

Recorded

East St. Louis Toodle-oo (LP: “Hot and Bothered (A Re-creation)” Doctor Jazz FW40029)

Recorded 22 June 1984, Los Angeles

Caravan / Osceola / Calyph (CD: “Only God Can Make a Tree” Music Masters 01612-65117-2)

Moon Mist (CD: “Unheard Bird” Arbor Records ARCD 19489)

Recorded 2023, New York City

Ken Peplowski – clarinet, tenor saxophone; Terell Stafford – trumpet, Glenn Zaleski – piano; Peter Washington – bass; Willie Jones III – drums; Kow Xiu Yi, Tia Allen – violin; Kayla Williams – viola; Robin Park – cello; Elizabeth Steiner – harp; Keve Wilson – oboe.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

“[Duke Ellington] has set forth a restlessness, a music that has made for progress over three decades. Devoting myself to the things he has come to represent, doing what I can to enlarge on such a solid basis, I fell that I can perpetuate ‘the tradition,’ and eventually find myself.” – Mercer Ellington, 1958

Here’s the link to make a donation to USC Arcadia Hospital: https://www.uscarcadiahospital.org/foundation/make-a-donation/

Messy Bessie / She’s Got Blues for Sale

Recorded 18 March 1946, New York City

Mercer Ellington Octet With Jacques Butler : Jacques “Jack” Butler – trumpet, vocal; Mercer Ellington – trumpet; Lawrence Brown – trombone; Al Sears – tenor sax; Harry Carney – baritone sax; Leonard Feather – piano; Mary Osborne – guitar; Bill Pemberton – bass; Heyward Jackson – drums.

Summertime

Recorded Spring 1947, New York City

Al Hibbler Acc By Mercer Ellington And His Orchestra : Al Hibbler (vcl) Probable personnel — Abdul Salaam, Dave Burns, Kenny Dorham, Bennie Roy – trumpet; Candy Ross, Charley Johnson – trombone; Jackie Fields, Morris Lane, Alva McCain, Henry Richards – reeds; Luther Henderson – piano; Joe Benjamin – bass; Heyward Jackson – drums.

Pass Me By / Metronome All Out

Recorded 17 May 1946, New York City

Mercer Ellington And His Orchestra : Kenny Dorham, Bobby Williams, Ray Copeland, Eddie Boozier – trumpet; Ted Kelly, Dan Minor, Charles Stovall – trombone; Curby Alexander, Jackie Fields, Fred Williams, Alva McCain, Harry Webster – reeds; Luther Henderson – piano; Bill Pemberton – bass; Heyward Jackson – drums; Carmen Clarke – vocal.

My, My, My / Baby, Where’d you go

Recorded 2 July 1951, New York City

The Cabineers and the Mercer Ellington Quartet : Billy Taylor – piano; Sal Salvador – guitar; Sam Bell – bass; Mercer Ellington – drums.

CD: Stepping into Swing Society, Mercer Ellington and his Orchestra (Fresh Sound Records FSR-CD 531)

Indelible / Ruint / Be Patient

Recorded 17 July 1958, New York City

Cat Anderson, Harold “Shorty” Baker, Clark Terry – trumpet; Quentin Jackson, Britt Woodman, John Sanders – trombone; Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope, Jimmy Hamilton, Ben Webster, Harry Carney – reeds; Jimmy Jones – piano; Carl Lynch – guitar; George Duvivier – bass; Sam Bailey – drums.

Broadway Babe

Recorded 22 July 1958, New York City

Cat Anderson, Harold “Shorty” Baker, Clark Terry – trumpet; Quentin Jackson, Britt Woodman, John Sanders – trombone; Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope, Jimmy Hamilton, Ben Webster, Harry Carney – reeds; Jimmy Jones – piano; Skeeter Best – guitar; Wendell Marshall – bass; Sam Bailey – drums.

Maroon /Coral Rock / Blue Serge/ Dawn of a Greenhorn

Recorded July 1959, New York City

Cat Anderson, Harold “Shorty” Baker, Clark Terry – trumpet; Quentin Jackson, Britt Woodman, John Sanders – trombone; Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope, Jimmy Hamilton, Harold Ashby, Harry Carney – reeds; Jimmy Jones – piano; Les Spann – guitar; Wendell Marshall – bass; Gus Johnson – drums.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

https://ellingtonreflections.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/happy-birthday-podcast.mp3

Happy Birthday, Duke!

 Duke Ellington was born on this date 125 years ago. Today also marks the 7th anniversary for podcast/blog Ellington Reflections.

 I’m currently editing my Cootie Williams biography and securing the necessary image permissions, so it may be a few months before the podcast episodes return. In the meantime, please enjoy 2019’s birthday episode which can be found above. (Sidenote – the Cootie Williams CD compilation has received its first review.)

 There are several fine Ellington birthday print celebrations. Start with John Edward Hasse’s WSJ article. Duke’s place of birth weighs in with this Washington Post tribute. The Chicago Tribune published a critic’s personal Ellington journey here. And finally, Daily Kos remembers Duke at the end of Jazz Appreciation Month (April).

Love you madly!

“At Columbia University’s New College, where I was studying engineering, my instructors constantly inquired whether I had written any songs. I was persuaded to sit down and play several of my compositions for them. Next they demanded why I wasn’t studying music formally. Their insistence convinced me that I ought to take a try.”

Mercer Ellington, Negro Digest, May 1951

Mercer Kennedy Ellington

Mercer Ellington can be seen briefly as part of one of the dancing couples in this 1941 video

Pigeons and Peppers (CD: “The Complete 1936-1940 Variety, Vocalion and Okeh Small Group Sessions” Mosaic Records #235)

Recorded 7 October 1937, New York City

Cootie Williams – trumpet; Juan Tizol – valve trombone; Barney Bigard – clarinet; Otto Hardwick – alto sax; Harry Carney – baritone sax; Duke Ellington – piano; Billy Taylor – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

The Girl in my Dreams (CD: “The Webster Blanton Band,” Bluebird 74321131812)

Recorded 28 December 1940, Chicago

Wallace Jones, Ray Nance –trumpets; Rex Stewart – cornet; Lawrence Brown, Juan Tizol, Joe “Tricky Sam” Nanton – trombones; Otto Hardwicke, Johnny Hodges, Ben Webster, Barney Bigard, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Jimmie Blanton – bass; Sonny Greer – drums; Herb Jeffries – vocal.

Blue Serge / John Hardy’s Wife (CD: “The Webster Blanton Band,” Bluebird 74321131812)

Recorded 15 February 1941, Los Angeles

Wallace Jones, Ray Nance –trumpets; Rex Stewart – cornet; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol -trombone; Barney Bigard, Johnny Hodges, Otto  Hardwicke, Ben Webster, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Jimmie Blanton – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Jumpin’ Punkins / Moon Mist (LP: “The Hollywood Bowl Concert” Unique Jazz UJ-001)

Recorded 31 August 1947 Live at the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles

Shelton Hemphill, Dud Bascomb, Francis Williams, Harold Baker – trumpets; Ray Nance – trumpet, violin; Lawrence Brown, Claude Jones, Tyree Glenn – trombones; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Al Sears, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Oscar Pettiford – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

Brown Suede (CD: “Duke Ellington, The Centennial Edition” RCA Victor ‎– 09026-63386-2)

Recorded 29 September 1941, Los Angeles

Ray Nance – trumpet; Juan Tizol – trombone; Barney Bigard – clarinet; Harry Carney – baritone sax; Billy Strayhorn – piano; Jimmie Blanton – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

A Slip of the Lip (CD: “World Broadcasting Series, Volume 1” Circle ‎ CCD-101)

Recorded 9 November 1943, New York City

Wallace Jones, Rex Stewart, Taft Jordan – trumpet; Ray Nance – trumpet, vocal; Lawrence Brown, Joe Nanton, Juan Tizol – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwicke, Skippy Williams, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington – piano; Fred Guy – guitar; Junior Raglin – bass; Sonny Greer – drums.

He Should’a flip’d when he flop’d (CD: “Cootie Williams and his Orchestra 1945-1946” Classics 981)

Recorded 29 January 1946, New York City

Cootie Williams, Bob Merrill, Ermit V. Perry, George Treadwell, Billy Ford, Gene Redd – trumpet; Ed Burke, Bob Horton, Edward “Jack Raggs” Johnson – trombone; Rupert Cole, John Jackson– alto sax; Everett Gaines, Sam Taylor – tenor sax; Bob Ashton – baritone sax; Arnold Jarvis – piano; Sam “Christopher” Allen – guitar; Norman Keenan – bass; Butch Ballard – drums, Johnny Mercer – vocal.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.

“Jimmy Jones is a close member of our musical family. Outside of our original version, he and Toby Hardwick were the first to do “Come Sunday.” I have had many different associations with him, the most notable being when we did My People in Chicago in 1963. I could not be there during the entire run, and he took over many of my responsibilities, played the piano and directed the orchestra. Then, when we were touring with Ella Fitzgerald, he was acting as her pianist, conductor, and orchestrator.”

Duke Ellington, Music is my Mistress

(CD: “Jimmy Jones 1946-1947,” Classics 1301)

Old Juice on the Loose/A Woman’s Got a Right to Change her Mind

Recorded 10 January 1946, New York City

Joe Thomas – trumpet; Lawrence Brown – trombone; Otto Hardwick – alto sax; Ted Nash – tenor sax; Harry Carney – baritone sax; Jimmy Jones – piano; Billy Taylor – bass; Shelly Manne – drums.

Come Sunday

Recorded 4 March 1947, New York City

Otto Hardwick – alto sax; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Casey – guitar; Al Hall – bass.

New World A’ Coming

Recorded 4 March 1947, New York City

Jimmy Jones – piano; John Levy – bass; Denzil Best – drums.

New York City Blues/On a Turquoise Cloud/Bakiff

Recorded 1947, New York City

Jimmy Jones – piano

Hello Little Girl (CD: “Jazz Party” Columbia CK-40712)

Recorded 19 February 1959, New York City

Dizzy Gillespie, Cat Anderson, Harold Baker, Clark Terry, Ray Nance – trumpet; Britt Woodman, Quentin Jackson, John Sanders – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Jimmy Jones – piano; Jimmy Woode – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums, Jimmy Rushing – vocal.

Satin Doll/The Old Circus Train (CD: “The Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington Cote d’Azur Concerts on Verve,” Verve 314 539 033-2 QS01)

Recorded 28 July 1966, Cote d’Azur, France

Ella Fitzgerald – vocal;  Cat Anderson, Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones, Cootie Williams – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Duke Ellington, Jimmy Jones – piano; John Lamb – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums. Jimmy Jones – piano; Joe Comfort – bass; Gus Johnson – drums.

I Like the Sunrise (CD: “Francis A. & Edward K.” Reprise Records 1024-2)

Recorded 11/12 December 1967, Los Angeles

Frank Sinatra – vocal; Cootie Williams, Cat Anderson, Herbie Jones, Mercer Ellington – trumpet; Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors – trombone; Jimmy Hamilton, Russell Procope, Johnny Hodges, Paul Gonsalves, Harry Carney – reeds; Jimmy Jones – piano; Jeff Castleman – bass; Sam Woodyard – drums.

Orson (LP: “Ellington is Forever, Volume 2” Fantasy F-79008)

Recorded November/December 1975, Berkeley, California

Jimmy Jones – piano.

In a Mellotone (LP: “Ellington is Forever, Volume 2” Fantasy F-79008)

Recorded July/August 1976, Berkeley, California

Nat Adderley – cornet; Quentin Jackson – trombone; Gary Bartz – soprano sax; Jimmy Jones – piano; Kenny Burrell – guitar; Monk Montgomery – bass; Philly Joe Jones – drums.

— Our closing music—-

It’s Something You Ought To Know (Paul Gonsalves – “Ellingtonia Moods and Blues,” RCA Victor / RCA63562)

Recorded 29 February 1960, New York City

Paul Gonsalves- tenor sax; Johnny Hodges – alto sax; Ray Nance – cornet; Mitchell “Booty” Wood – trombone; Jimmy Jones – piano; Al Hall – bass; Oliver Jackson – drums.