Duke Ellington - The Great London Concerts

This previously issued material (released on a single CD by Music Masters) features the Duke Ellington Orchestra during a very busy era. The veteran musicians were getting older but their very individual voices were still powerful, and Ellington was far from running out of gas at this point. The five standards taken from the earlier performance date from the brief period when both Cootie Williams and Ray Nance were in the trumpet section while the later pieces are highlighted by "Caravan" (featuring the mighty Williams), an early version of "Isfahan," a rare Ernie Shephard vocal on "Take the 'A' Train," and a fine rendition of "Harlem." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Name Credits Buster Cooper Trombone Cat Anderson Trumpet Chuck Connors Trombone Cootie Williams Trumpet Duke Ellington Piano Ernie Shepard Vocals, Bass Harry Carney Reeds Herb Jones Trumpet Herbie Jones Trumpet Jimmy Hamilton Reeds Johnny Hodges Reeds Kristen Stephen Design Lawrence Brown Trombone Mercer Ellington Producer, Photography Milt Grayson Vocals Paul Gonsalves Reeds Ray Nance Cornet, Violin Rolf Ericson Trumpet Roy Burrowes Trumpet Russell Procope Reeds Sam Woodyard Drums Stanley Dance Liner Notes