Will Big Bands Ever Come Back?

• Artist: Duke Ellington
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1963
• Genre: Jazz

Review

In general the '60s were not a good period for big bands and many veteran jazz artists. The labels often pressured musicians to play the more faddish tunes of the day or to come up with gimmicks that would increase their record sales. In Duke Ellington's case, he largely avoided the traps that were set for so many others of his era, with the exception of four albums. This one found him playing 11 tunes from the swing era and, although not that painful (at least there were no note-for-note recreations), the results are also not all that stimulating. It's interesting to hear Ellington play such material as "Smoke Rings," "Artistry in Rhythm" and "Sentimental Journey," once. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Tuxedo Junction	Erskine Hawkins	Duke Ellington & His Orchestra	(3:31)
Smoke Rings	Glen Gray	Duke Ellington & His Orchestra	(2:56)
Artistry in Rhythm	Stan Kenton	Duke Ellington & His Orchestra	(3:20)
The Waltz You Saved for Me	Wayne King	Duke Ellington & His Orchestra	(2:31)
Woodchopper's Ball	Woody Herman	Duke Ellington & His Orchestra	(3:17)
Sentimental Journey	Les Brown	Duke Ellington & His Orchestra	(2:32)
When It's Sleepy Time Down South	Louis Armstrong	Duke Ellington & His Orchestra	(3:20)
One O'Clock Jump	Count Basie	Duke Ellington & His Orchestra	(7:21)
Good-Bye	Benny Goodman	Duke Ellington & His Orchestra	(3:07)
Sleep, Sleep, Sleep	Fred Waring	Duke Ellington & His Orchestra	(2:48)
Rhapsody in Blue	Paul Whiteman	Duke Ellington & His Orchestra	(4:51)
Don't Get Around Much Anymore	Duke Ellington	Duke Ellington & His Orchestra	(2:35)

Credits

Charles Champlin (Liner Notes), Duke Ellington (Piano)