Mercer Ellington - Digital Duke

Digital Duke is a collection of digitally mixed and mastered compositions written by and usually associated with Duke Ellington. Mercer Ellington, the younger half of the father-and-son team, conducts the Duke Ellington Orchestra complete with former members of Duke's orchestra -- Louis Bellson, Chuck Connors, Clark Terry, Norris Turney and Britt Woodman. Special guest performances by Branford Marsalis, Eddie Daniels, Roland Hanna and Gerry Wiggins add to the excitement of the newly mastered collaborations. Produced by Michael Abene and Mercer Ellington, the three days spent at Clinton Recording Studio in New York City, sets out to improve the relationship between the generations and their long-term appreciation of the swing era. Executive producers Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen decided to concentrate on Ellington pieces that became standards in the jazz repertory. Digitally updating the Duke's music, which always was defined by common musical threads, distinctive harmonies, unique piano playing, and unusual combinations of instruments, would require only the best musicians. The result is a timeless tribute to one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. The essence of traditional and contemporary concepts come together on "Cottontail." It showcases an extraordinary Branford Marsalis saxophone solo honed in the Ellington style. He satisfies us again, at just the right tempo, with his impeccable tenor saxophone on "Take the 'A' Train." The easy pace is exactly right, as Gerry Wiggins' piano intros the time-honored ode that soon became Duke's trademark. Eddie Daniels adds a new, velvet-like, clarinet solo to the timeless three horn favorite, "Mood Indigo." Louis Bellson, who was Duke's drummer in the early 1950s and again on many reunions, is in great form on "Perdido" and "In a Mellotone." Digital Duke is a very special project, thoughtfully executed by Mercer Ellington and company. ~ Paula Edelstein, All Music Guide

Name Credits Al Grey Trombone Andy Baltimore Creative Director Barry Hall Flugelhorn, Trumpet Branford Marsalis Sax (Tenor) Britt Woodman Trombone Bucky Pizzarelli Guitar Charles Owens Clarinet, Sax (Baritone), Clarinet (Bass) Chuck Connors Trombone (Bass) Clark Terry Flugelhorn, Trumpet Dan Serrano Cover Design, Graphic Design Dave Grusin Executive Producer Dave Kunze Artwork David Gibb Artwork Duke Ellington Performer Duke Ellington Orchestra Performer Ed Rak Engineer Eddie Daniels Sax (Tenor), Clarinet Gerry Wiggins Piano Herman Riley Clarinet, Sax (Tenor) Ivan Salgado Artwork J.J. Wiggins Bass Josiah Gluck Digital Mixing, Editing Kamau Adilifu Trumpet, Flugelhorn Larry Rosen Executive Producer Lew Soloff Flugelhorn, Trumpet Louie Bellson Drums Mercer Ellington Producer, Conductor Michael Abene Producer Norris Turney Sax (Alto) Rebecca Everett Assistant Engineer Rocky White Drums Roland Hanna Piano Ron Tooley Flugelhorn, Trumpet Ted Jensen Digital Mastering