Kentucky Jazz Repertory Orchest Ellington Celebration CD

Another of the many recorded tributes to honor Duke Ellington in his centennial year, Miles Osland and his Kentucky Jazz Repertory Orchestra take a different route than most of the other CDs released for this happy occasion. The orchestrations are transcribed from the original scores either by narrator/co-director Dick Domek or by other Ellington scholars like Gunther Schuller and David Berger. The outcome is that one hears the way Ellington originally played his creations, with members of the Repertory Orchestra assuming the respective roles assigned each member of that particular version of the Duke's orchestra. The effect is marvelous. Next to hearing the original Ellington recording, this is as good it gets in terms of combining authenticity with artistry. Most of the songs are pre-1941 -- although there are a few from the later years (e.g., "Anatomy of a Murder") -- recognizing that many of the Ellington masterpieces came during the years 1929 through 1941 when his creativity was at its apex. On "The Mooche," one of the compositions from Ellington's jungle period, Osland and group replicate the October 1928 recording that featured a clarinet chorus against the wah-wah trumpet of Bubber Miley. One of Ellington's more haunting and enduring melodies, "Mood Indigo," is recalled, when Barney Bigard's haunting clarinet low notes played against the high notes of a trombone. On "Concert for Cootie (Don't Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me)" Cootie Williams' muted and open trumpet styling comes from Vince DiMartino. Johnny Hodges is brought back through the alto of Miles Osland on "Prelude to a Kiss." Ellington's longtime affection for and preoccupation with the train comes through on the 1933 "Daybreak Express" and the 1958 "Track 360." Some of Ellington's lesser-known, but no less enterprising, works have been included on the program. One of the attractive features of the album is the occasional narration explaining a particular facet of the work the group is about to play. Even if in possession of the original recordings, this album is still worth having, if for no other reason than the commanding musicianship displayed by this well-rehearsed group during the almost 80 minutes of Ellington's grand music. This album is recommended. ~ Dave Nathan

Recorded at Singletary Center Recital Hall, Lexington, Kentucky. Includes liner notes by John Edward Hasse.

Personnel: Dan Brock (guitar, banjo); Zach Brock (violin); Miles Osland (clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Hunt Butler (clarinet, alto saxophone); David Anderson, Gordon Towell (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Dave Anderson (tenor saxophone); Terry Everson, Steve Bottom, Rick Cook, Josh Thompson, Vince DiMartino (trumpet); Dale Warren (trombone); Dr. Richard Domek (piano).

Liner Note Author: John Edward Hasse .

Recording information: Singletary Center Recital Hall.

Editor: Miles Osland.

Personnel includes: Dick Domek (vocals, piano); Miles Osland (soprano & alto saxophones, clarinet); Terry Everson, Vince DiMartino (trumpet); Louis "Hap" Bourgois, Dale Warren (trombone); Zach Brock (violin); Dan Brock (guitar, banjo); Jason Tiemann (drums, percussion).

Orchestra

JazzTimes (5/00, p.196) - "...Perpetuates the whole spectrum of Ellington's music....doing a remarkably good job....[in their] faithfully recreated numbers..."