Ellington Vinyl

This 1959 Verve record is a collaboration between Ellington and saxophonist Johnny Hodges. Hodges takes the lead on most of the tracks, backed by Ellington and Billy Strayhorn on piano and well-known jazz musicians like Ben Webster, Roy Eldridge, Harry "Sweets" Edison and Jo Jones.

Repress of the 2014 200 gram vinyl but this version is only 180 grams. Recorded December 19, 1950. Remastered at Sterling Sound from the original analog tapes. Recorded on an Ampex 200, using 3M-111 magnetic tape running at 15 inches per second. Gatefold old-school "tip-on" jacket by Stoughton Printing. Plated and pressed at Quality Record Pressings.

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life.

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life.

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life.

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life.

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life.

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (* April 29, 1899 in Washington, D.C.; † May 24, 1974 in New York City) was one of the most influential American jazz musicians. As a pianist, he was one of the most important innovators of the Stride piano. As a composer, he composed almost 2000 compositions (songs and suites), a hundred of which soon became jazz standards. As a bandleader, he contributed to the development of swing as a big band style.

Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life.

What we have here is the welcome memento of Duke Ellington and his band’s 1959 European tour. Berlin’s Sportpalast is not a concert hall and during the cursed Nazi reign often was the site of speeches by Hitler and his fellow criminals, but the hall can be said to have been thoroughly purified by sounds of jazz by the time of this concert.