Posted on 08/19/2024 12:21:58 PM PDT by nickcarraway
On August 18, 1962, The Duke Ellington Octet featuring Coleman Hawkins were in a New York recording studio, busy making an album for the Impulse! label. Impulse! was still a relatively new imprint at the time, having issued its first four albums in early 1961. Joining Ellington and Hawk were Ray Nance (cornet, violin), Lawrence Brown (trombone), Johnny Hodges (alto sax), Harry Carney (baritone sax, bass clarinet), Aaron Bell (bass), and Sam Woodyard (drums). The result was Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins, an album the New York Times described as “one of the great Ellington albums, one of the great Hawkins albums, and one of the great albums of the 1960s.”
Hawk had been an admirer of Duke for well over 30 years by this time, but this was the first (and only) time that the two giants actually recorded together. It’s a record made up of old songs and new songs. The new songs were written by Ellington, with two of them penned by his bandleader and long-time saxophonist Johnny Hodges.
Of the Ellington/Hodges compositions, “Wanderlust” is one of the highlights of the record – bluesy jazz at its very best. Ray Nance, in particular, shines. The wonderfully exuberant “The Jeep is Jumpin,” full of fabulous flourishes and flair is another standout.
“Self Portrait (of the Bean),” referencing one of Hawkins’s nicknames, is sublime mellow jazz. The album closes with a standard, the gorgeous “Solitude,” which opens with Nance’s lovely violin. In just under six minutes, you’ll understand the sheer beauty of jazz.
And then there’s the brilliance of Duke Ellington himself. He’s been called the Renaissance Man of jazz, and while this album doesn’t stray much from what the composer and bandleader does best, it should not be overlooked. The New York Times was right.
Released in January 1963, Billboard gave Duke Ellington Meets Coleman Hawkins “Special Merit” status in its review section, saying, “Here’s one for collectors. It’s a brand new recording by Duke surrounded by king-size sidemen, playing with the indefatigable Hawk.” All true, and then some.
What is higher, a duke or a count? A Mr. Basie would like to know.
In European courts, Dukes were above Counts.
Noble Family member
King of Arms (Knights)
Hereditary Nobleman (Lords)
Baronet
Baron
Viscount
Count/Earl
Marchess (Marquis)
Duke
Younger Princes
Crown Prince
King
Took it from this: https://mavink.com/post/3AF9A271B916CB074B27557C0B09132A0AAM79AD31/medieval-noble-ranks
But there is some dispute on specifics based on specifics here (though not Duke/Count): https://mavink.com/explore/Medieval-Noble-Ranks
I used to prefer instrumental albums when I was quite young. Amazing how many songs were from Duke Ellington as done by others. So much of the foundation of jazz and big band music.
This list was on NextBop website as his best known:
Take the A Train
Mood Indigo
It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)
Sophisticated Lady
Caravan
In a Sentimental Mood
Satin Doll
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
Prelude to a Kiss
Solitude
C Jam Blues
I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good)
Perdido
East St. Louis Toodle-Oo
Black and Tan Fantasy
Creole Love Call
The Mooche
Concerto for Cootie
Cotton Tail
Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue
I will always remember the late Great Willis Conover at the Voice Of America kicking off Time For Jazz with Take the A Train...Goose bumps!!!!God Bless you, Mr Conover!
I saw him at Disneyland several times between the mid 60’s and early 70’s. It seems like he played there quite a bit. And to be honest, when I say I saw him, I saw the board with his name, listened to his music for a minute then moved on. It was old people music.
Absolutely right.
Nice selection, thanks!
YW. I got this in the 90’s and love it.
YW. I got this in the 90’s and love it.
Duke Ellington? Coleman Hawkins was mostly in Europe by then.
Actually, it looks like they had a lot of big bands. I don’t remember any of them except for Duke Ellington, and in my memory, it seemed like he was always there.
http://www.bigbandlibrary.com/bigbandsatdisneyland.html
I’ll have to look it up, but I think he played at the White House when Nixon was there.
That’s great!
I couldn’t find any Disney videos.
Thanks :)
Please send in the Earl of Sandwich
Thanks for that post made my day. Made me think of Count Basie.
YW.
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