The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra - Ellington Masterworks (2026) [Hi-Res]

The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, led by Charlie Young, has released a live album titled Ellington Masterworks, recorded in Pittsburgh. The release is based on rare, lesser-known Duke Ellington compositions spanning 1940–1968, sourced from the Smithsonian archives. The program demonstrates a wide stylistic range, moving from energetic swing and New Orleans blues to complex lyrical and avant-garde structures. By combining meticulous scholarship with expressive performance, the ensemble reimagines Ellington's legacy, proving its enduring relevance and transforming historical material into a living, contemporary work of art.

Tracklist:
1-1 The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra - The Flaming Sword [3:41]
1-2 The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra - Tattooed Bride [12:10]
1-3 The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra - Race [4:57]
1-4 The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra - Madness in Great Ones [4:31]
1-5 The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra - Ad Lib on Nippon [11:59]
1-6 The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra - Oclupaca [5:07]
1-7 The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra - Shepherd [7:49]
1-8 The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra - Jack the Bear [5:41]