Duke Ellington: Duke Ellington 1969: All-Star White House Tribute (2002)

Jim Santella

Senior Contributor since 1997

Jim Santella has been contributing CD reviews, concert reviews and DVD reviews to AAJ since 1997. His work has also appeared in Southland Blues, The L.A. Jazz Scene, and Cadence Magazine.

Recent articles (1,677 total)

Published: May 2, 2002

A big band with Gerry Mulligan and Milt Hinton at the bottom, Paul Desmond and Clark Terry at the top, and an all-star cast in the middle makes this previously unissued session quite special. At the end, Duke Ellington sits down at the piano and performs a solo improvisation that he dedicated to Mrs. Pat Nixon. The President awarded Ellington the Medal of Freedom that day. It was the maestro's 70th birthday: April 29, 1969. Preserved on tape and broadcast overseas on the Voice of America, this program has remained in seclusion.

Mulligan's unconventional arrangement of "Prelude to a Kiss" comes as quite a surprise. Emotional conversations between Mulligan and Desmond, Green and Johnson, and Terry with Mulligan, make the up-tempo affair rock heartily. Four of the songs are interpreted without the full ensemble, by piano trios. Special features include Jim Hall on "In a Sentimental Mood," Desmond on "Chelsea Bridge," Mulligan on "Warm Valley" and "Sophisticated Lady," Johnson on "Satin Doll," Terry on "Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me," Berry on "I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart," Joe Williams on two piercing, emotional pieces and one swinger, Mary Mayo on four lovely ballads and Louie Bellson on a romping "Caravan." The session has high points all through it. A little loose in places and yet highly recommended, this all-star program airs jazz the way it's supposed to be.

Track Listing: Take the 'A' Train; medley: I Got it Bad / Chelsea Bridge / Satin Doll / Sophisticated Lady / Just Squeeze Me / I Let a Song Go Out of my Heart / Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me / Don't Get Around Much Anymore / In a Mellotone; In a Sentimental Mood; Prelude to a Kiss; Ring Dem Bells; medley: Drop Me Off in Harlem / All Too Soon / It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing); Things Ain't What They Used To Be; Perdido; Warm Valley; Caravan; Mood Indigo; medley: Prelude to a Kiss / I Didn't Know About You; Praise God and Dance; Come Sunday; Heritage; Jump for Joy; Pat.

Personnel: Duke Ellington, Dave Brubeck, Earl Hines, Hank Jones, Billy Taylor- piano; Paul Desmond- alto saxophone; Gerry Mulligan- baritone saxophone; Jim Hall- guitar; Urbie Green, J.J. Johnson- trombone; Bill Berry, Clark Terry- trumpet; Milt Hinton- bass; Louie Bellson- drums; Joe Williams, Mary Mayo- vocal.

Record Label: Blue Note Records
Style: Straight-ahead/Mainstream