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Album Description: Producer: Irving Townshend.Reissue producer: Nedra Olds-Neal.Recorded from 1947 to 1960 in New York, New York and Hollywood, California. Originally released on Columbia (9629). Includes liner notes by Gil McKean.Digitally remastered by Mark Wilder & Rob Schwarz (... read more Producer: Irving Townshend. Reissue producer: Nedra Olds-Neal. Recorded from 1947 to 1960 in New York, New York and Hollywood, California. Originally released on Columbia (9629). Includes liner notes by Gil McKean. Digitally remastered by Mark Wilder & Rob Schwarz (Sony Music Studios, New York, New York). Personnel: Duke Ellington (piano). Recording information: Hollywood, CA (11/18/1947-05/31/1960); New York, NY (11/18/1947-05/31/1960). Duke Ellington's contribution to the legacy of jazz (and therefore American music in general) is inestimable. He virtually defined the concept of "jazz orchestra," liberating it from the constraints of the big band swing era without losing any of that style's visceral punch. Ellington was a painter of sonic canvases with sophisticated textures, elaborately constructed and yet completely organic sounding. The flowing, luxurious tones of "Mood Indigo" belie the complex harmonic structure underneath the melody. The utterly singable (there are words to it, after all) "Satin Doll" contains unusual melodic twists and jumps, but never seems less than totally natural. In all of his arrangements and compositions, Ellington and his right hand man Billy Strayhorn strove to use the individual styles of the band members as guides for their explorations. It's impossible to limit the greatest works of a giant like Ellington to one disc, but if you've got to start somewhere, this collection contains some of the main ingredients in his sonic stew. minimize Album Information
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