Duke Ellington & His World-Famous Orchestra Collection: '46-47 Recordings CD

Recorded in New York, New York on March 28, 1946, January 7 and June 9-10, 1947 and in Hollywood, California on July 11, 16 and 17, 1946. Includes liner notes by Brad McCuen and song annotations by Patricia Willard.

This is a collection of tracks from the mid-1940s which are, in fact, transcriptions of recordings made for radio station broadcasts. These 64 tunes, originally available on a five record set, are now compiled on three compact discs. Because the musicians weren't in a studio setting, and were therefore freed from certain time constraints (most songs on record from that era were limited to the two-to-four minute mark), they could stretch out more. Further, what makes these recordings invaluable--aside from the excellent, crisp, clear sound quality--is the presence of eight tunes never commercially available.

"Tip Toe Topic," a trio with Ellington, drummer Greer and the legendary Oscar Pettiford, may be available nowhere else but here! All the master composer/bandleader's hits are here, along with some more obscure gems and the occasional pop/jazz standard ("Come Rain or Come Shine," George Gershwin's "Embraceable You"). This is music that comes from one of the peak periods in the Orchestra's history, in terms of both musical output and popularity. Swing that's easygoing or driving, colorful orchestrations, inventive, concise and soulful soloing--it's all here! Recommended for fans and neophytes alike.

& His World-Famous Orchestra.

Personnel: Duke Ellington (piano); Ray Nance (vocals, trumpet); Al Hibbler, Kay Davis (vocals); Otto Hardwicke, Johnny Hodges, Jimmy Hamilton, Al Sears, Harry Carney, Russell Procope (reeds); Shelton Hemphill, Taft Jordan, Cat Anderson, Francis Williams, Bernard Flood, Harold Baker, Wallace Jones, Francis Jones, Wilbur Bascomb (trumpets); Joe "Tricky Sam" Nanton, Lawrence Brown, Claude Jones, Wilbur DeParis, Tyree Glenn (trombone); Bily Strayhorn (piano); Fred Guy (guitar); Oscar Pettiford, Wilson Meyers (bass); Sonny Greer (drums).

Producer: Wally Heider.

Compilation producer: Pete Kline.

Personnel: Duke Ellington (piano); Ray Nance (vocals, trumpet); Kay Davis, Al Hibbler (vocals); Fred Guy (guitar); Jimmy Hamilton (clarinet, reeds); Al Sears (reeds, tenor saxophone); Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwick, Russell Procope (reeds); Cootie Williams, Dud Bascomb, Bernard Flood, Wilbur Bascomb, Sr., Harold Baker, Taft Jordan, Shelton Hemphill, Francis Williams, Wallace Jones, Cat Anderson (trumpet); Joe Tricky Sam Nanton, Lawrence Brown , Tyree Glenn, Wilbur DeParis, Claude Jones (trombone); Billy Strayhorn (piano); Sonny Greer (drums).

Audio Remixer: John Jungklaus.

Liner Note Authors: Patricia Willard; Brad McCuen.

Recording information: 1946-1947.

Editor: Tom Shallcross.

Photographers: Dave Dexter, Jr.; Duncan P. Schiedt.

Unknown Contributor Roles: Duke Ellington; Harry Carney; John Jungklaus; Johnny Hodges; Kay Davis; Al Hibbler; Al Sears; Lawrence Brown ; Pete Kline; Ray Nance; Russell Procope; Sonny Greer; Taft Jordan; Tyree Glenn; Billy Strayhorn; Cat Anderson.

Arrangers: William Alonzo; Billy Strayhorn.

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