Duke Ellington Far East Suite CD

Duke Ellington & His Orchestra: Duke Ellington (arranger, piano); Billy Strayhorn (arranger); Russell Procope (alto saxophone, clarinet); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Jimmy Hamilton (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Paul Gonsalves (tenor saxophone); Harry Carney (baritone saxophone); Cootie Williams, William "Cat" Anderson (trumpet), Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones (trumpet, flugelhorn); Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors (trombone); John Lamb (bass); Rufus Jones (drums).

Duke Ellington & His Orchestra: Duke Ellington (arranger, piano); Billy Strayhorn (arranger); Russell Procope (alto saxophone, clarinet); Johnny Hodges (alto saxophone); Jimmy Hamilton (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Paul Gonsalves (tenor saxophone); Harry Carney (baritone saxophone); Mercer Ellington, Herbie Jones (trumpet, flugelhorn); Cootie Williams, William "Cat" Anderson (trumpet); Lawrence Brown, Buster Cooper, Chuck Connors (trombone); John Lamb (bass); Rufus Jones (drums).

The 1995 CD release of this great 1967 Duke Ellington-Billy Strayhorn suite provided an opportunity for reissue producer Orrin Keepnews to correct certain tape speed anomalies which marred the initial LP by going back and remixing the original multi-track tapes. The sparkling result can perhaps be compared to a cleanup of the Sistine Chapel or at least The Last Supper. For THE FAR EAST SUITE is not only one of the Duke Ellington Orchestra's greatest sessions, it is one of the greatest jazz records of the '60s, not bad for a band that made its first significant recordings exactly 40 years before.

Sinewy, chromatic, Eastern-flavored compositions like "Isfahan" and "Agra" provide utterly fresh-sounding showcases for veteran Ellingtonians like alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges and the apparently ageless baritone saxophonist Harry Carney. All the Duke's men rise to this special occasion however, especially the fluent and witty clarinetist Jimmy Hamilton and the piano player himself, whose lush ruminations on the 11-minute-plus "Ad Lib On Nippon" closed the original set.

Sinewy, chromatic, Eastern-flavored compositions like "Isfahan" and "Agra" provide utterly fresh-sounding showcases for veteran Ellingtonians like alto saxophonist Johnny Hodges and the apparently ageless baritone saxophonist Harry Carney. All the Duke's men ris

By 1966 when Far East Suite was released, Duke Ellington was an international celebrity. As such, He led several U.S. State Department cultural exchange tours, including trips to places like Japan, India and Iran. Ellington's experiences from those trips became the basis for one of most memorable albums. Features 16 remastered tracks including 7 bonus tracks, 'Tourists Point Of View' (unissued alt. take), 'Amad' (unissued alt. take), 'Bluebird Of Delhi (Mynah)' (previously issued alt. take), 'Bluebird Of Delhi (Mynah)' (unissued alt. take), Isfahan' (previously issued alt. take), 'Depk' (unissued alt. take) & 'Mount Harrison' (unissued alt. take). Packaged in digipak format featuring original cover art & session photographs as well as original & newly commissioned liner notes. Bluebird. 2003.

Recorded at RCA-Victor Studio "A", New York, New York on December 19-21, 1966. Originally released on RCA-Victor (3782). Includes liner notes by Stanley Dance and Orrin Keepnews.

Personnel: Duke Ellington (piano); Johnny Hodges, Russell Procope (clarinet, reeds, saxophone, alto saxophone); Jimmy Hamilton, Paul Gonsalves (clarinet, reeds, saxophone, tenor saxophone); Harry Carney (clarinet, reeds, saxophone, baritone saxophone); Herbie Jones, Mercer Ellington (trumpet, flugelhorn); Cootie Williams, Herb Jones, William Cat Anderson, Cat Anderson (trumpet); Lawrence D. Brown, Chuck Conners, Lawrence Brown , Chuck Connors, Buster Cooper (trombone); Rufus "Speedy" Jones (drums).

Audio Remasterer: Jen Wyler.

Audio Remixer: Jen Wyler.

Liner Note Authors: Stephanie Stein Crease; Orrin Keepnews; Stanley Dance.

Recording information: RCA Victor's Studio A, NeJazziz (3/93, p.62) - "...this 1966 session is full of fresh melodies and new ideas..."
Jazziz (3/93, p.62) - "...this 1966 session is full of fresh melodies and new ideas..."