Duke Ellington - Duke Ellington Presents… (Remastered 2014) (2024) [Hi-Res]

This is a little-known piece of the Duke discography mosaic. Surprisingly, there are only four original compositions among the eleven tracks, otherwise standards from ‘Summertime’ to ‘Laura and “My Funny Valentine” to “Deep Purple” are given the typical Ellington touch. The album's concept, which explains the title, is that one member of the orchestra gets the spotlight in each number. Sometimes Cat Anderson, sometimes Ray Nance (who first sings and then takes up the violin in ‘I Can't Get Started’), Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope or (the second vocal number) Jimmy Grissom; Jimmy Hamilton and Paul Gonsalves are each allowed to take the lead twice. At the end, there is a grand finale with the seven-minute ‘Blues’, to which most of those mentioned contribute another solo. Definitely worth discovering.

"This unusual set only has four Duke Ellington compositions among the 11 songs. He features a different soloist on most of the songs (which include seven standards not associated with Ellington's music). There are showcases for trumpeter Cat Anderson, Ray Nance (who sings and plays violin on "I Can't Get Started"), singer Jimmy Grissom, baritonist Harry Carney, and the altos of Johnny Hodges and Russell Procope, as well as two apiece for clarinetist Jimmy Hamilton and tenor saxophonist Paul Gonsalves. The closing "Blues" gives many of the players an additional opportunity to be heard. Although this set is not essential, the music is quite enjoyable and it is interesting to hear Duke Ellington playing such tunes as "Laura," "My Funny Valentine," and "Indian Summer." (Scott Yanow, AMG)

Duke Ellington, piano
Cat Anderson, trumpet
Willie Cook, trumpet
Ray Nance, trumpet
Clark Terry, trumpet
Quentin Jackson, trombone
Britt Woodman, trombone
John Sanders, valve trombone
Jimmy Hamilton, clarinet, tenor saxophone
Johnny Hodges, alto saxophone
Russell Procope, alto saxophone, clarinet
Paul Gonsalves, tenor saxophone
Harry Carney, baritone saxophone
Jimmy Woode, bass
Sam Woodyard, drums
Ray Nance, vocals, violin (track 3)
Jimmy Grissom, vocals (track 5)

Digitally remastered

Tracklist:
1 Summertime
2 Laura
3 I Can't Get Started
4 My Funny Valentine
5 Everything But You
6 Frustration
7 Cotton Tail
8 Day Dream
9 Deep Purple
10 Indian Summer
11 Blues