Duke Ellington Will Big Bands Ever Come Back? CD

Personnel: Duke Ellington (piano).
Liner Note Author: Charles Champlin.
Recording information: 11/29/1962-01/04/1963.
In addition to its reputation as a cultural and artistic phenomenon, the Duke Ellington orchestra was also one of the finest dance bands of the Swing era. Though the big band roster had been decimated throughout the 1950s, Ellington managed to keep his outfit intact by constant national and international touring. First released in 1962, after Ellington had signed to Frank Sinatra's Reprise label, this salute to the big band era features classics like "Woodchopper's Ball," "One O'Clock Jump," and "Tuxedo Junction," made famous by Ellington's contemporaries, including Stan Kenton, Count Basie, and Woody Herman. The set displays Ellington's orchestra in relaxed mood, demonstrating both its technical prowess and effortless swing.
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