Duke Ellington discography

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This is the discography of Duke Ellington. The majority of these recordings are listed under the year they were recorded, rather than released. Reissues are listed for most of the recordings released before the 1950s, as the original 78s are rare. A full discography up to the 1942 recording ban is available at http://www.ellingtonia.com. The US chart listing information should be taken as being very tentative, since sources like the Joel Whitburn "Pop Memories" book does not take the cheaper dime-store records into account. During this period, records sold by song title, not specifically by artist, although there are exceptions. Based on many years of research by scores of collectors, the general opinion is that the easier it is to find an old record at a second hand shop that sells 78's the more likely it was a good seller. Many of the below titles are fairly easy to find.

A much more comprehensive discography is available at http://www.ellingtonia.com and at http://ellingtonweb.ca/.

Hit records

Year Single Chart positions
US US
R&B
UK
1927 "East St. Louis Toodle-Oo" 10
1928 "Black and Tan Fantasy" 15
"Creole Love Call" 19
"Doin' the New Low Down" 20
"Diga Diga Doo" 17
"The Mooche" 16
1930 "Three Little Words" 1
"Ring Dem Bells" 17
1931 "Blue Again" 12
"Mood Indigo" 3
"Rockin' In Rhythm" 19
"Creole Rhapsody Parts 1 & 2" 18
"Limehouse Blues" 13
1932 "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" 6
"Creole Rhapsody"(new version) 19
"Rose Room (In Sunny Roseland)" 15
"Moon Over Dixie" 14
"Blue Ramble" 16
1933 "Drop Me Off At Harlem" 17
"Sophisticated Lady" 3
"Stormy Weather" 4
"I'm Satisfied" 11
"In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" 13
1934 "Daybreak Express" 20
"Cocktails For Two" 1
"Moon Glow" 2
"Solitude" 2
"Saddest Tale" 9
1935 "Merry Go Round" 6
"In a Sentimental Mood" 14
"Accent On Youth" 6
"Cotton" 4
1936 "Isn't Love the Strangest Thing?" 12
"Love Is Like a Cigarette" 8
"Clarinet Lament" 12
"Echoes of Harlem" 19
"Oh Babe! Maybe Someday" 8
"Jazz Lips" 20
"Yearning For Love" 16
1937 "The New East St. Louis Toodle-Oo" 16
"There's a Lull In My Life" 12
"Scattin' At the Kit Kat" 9
"Caravan" 4
"Azure" 13
"All God's Chillun Got Rhythm" 14
1938 "Harmony In Harlem" 15
"If You Were In My Place (What Would You Do?)" 10
"I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart" 1
"The Gal From Joe's" 20
"Lambeth Walk" 7
"Prelude To a Kiss" 18
1940 "You, You, Darlin'" 28
"Ko Ko" 25
"At a Dixie Roadside Diner" 27
"Sepia Panorama" 24
1941 "Flamingo" 11
"Take the A Train" 11
"I Got It Bad and That Ain't Good" 13
1942 "Hayfoot, Strawfoot" 10
1943 "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" 8 1
"Perdido" 21
"Take the A Train"(re-entry) 19
"Bojangles" 19
"A Slip of the Lip" 19 1
"Sentimental Lady" 19 1
1944 "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me" 10 1
"Main Stem" 23 1
"My Little Brown Book" 4
"Someone" 7
"I Don't Mind" 9
1945 "I'm Beginning To See the Light" 6 4
"Don't You Know I Care" 10
"I Ain't Got Nothin' But the Blues" 4
1946 "Come To Baby, Do" 13
1948 "Don't Be So Mean To Baby" 15
1953 "Satin Doll" 27
"Boo Dah" 30
1954 "Skin Deep" 7

1920s

During the late 1920s and early 1930s, Ellington and his band recorded for almost every label (BluDisc, Pathe, Perfect, Victor, Brunswick, Columbia, Okeh, Vocalion, Cameo, Romeo, Lincoln, Banner, Domino, Jewel, and Hit Of The Week). Some labels, such as RCA-Victor, Okeh and Brunswick, have collected Ellington's early recordings into box sets, while material from other labels is scattered. The most comprehensive source for Ellington's early work are the Classics releases, although note that these records omit alternate takes, which may be found in other collections.

1926

  • 1924-1926: The Birth of A Band Vol. 1 (EPM Musique) (released 1988)
  • The Birth of Big Band Jazz (Riverside) (EP) (released 1956)
  • Complete Edition (1924–1926) (Masters of Jazz)

1927

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1924-1927 (Classics)
  • Complete Edition (1926–1927) (Masters of Jazz)

1928

  • Duke Ellington and His Orchestra: 1927-1928 (Classics) (Released 1996)
  • Duke Ellington and His Orchestra: 1928 (Classics)
  • Complete Vol. 1: 1925-1928 (Columbia - France) (released 1973)
  • Duke Ellington: The Beginning 1926-1928 (Decca Jazz Heritage Series)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1927-1928 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1928 (Classics)
  • Complete Edition (1927–1928) (Masters of Jazz)
  • Complete Edition (1928) (2 discs) (Masters of Jazz)

1929

  • Flaming Youth (1927–1929) (RCA Victor) (Released 1965)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1928-1929 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1929 (Classics)
  • Complete Edition (1929) (2 discs) (Masters of Jazz)

1930s

1930

  • The OKeh Ellington (Columbia) (1927–1930) (released 1991)
  • The Works of Duke: Vol. 1 - Vol. 5 (RCA) (1927–1930)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1929-1930 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1930 (2 volume) (Classics)
  • Complete Edition (1929–1930) (Masters of Jazz)
  • Complete Edition (1930) (2 discs) (Masters of Jazz)

1931

  • Early Ellington: The Complete Brunswick Recordings (3 discs) (Decca) (1926–1931) (released 1994)
  • Jazz Heritage Brunswick/Vocalion Rarities (1926–1931) (MCA) (released 1983)
  • Mood Indigo (1927–1931) (Columbia) (released 1992)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1930-31 (Classics)
  • Complete Edition (1930–1931) (Masters of Jazz)

1932

  • Jungle Nights in Harlem (1927–1932) (Bluebird) (released 1991)
  • Jazz Cocktail (AVS/Living Era) (1928–1932)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1931-32 (Classics)

1933

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1932-33 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1933 (Classics)

1934

  • Early Ellington: 1927-1934 (Bluebird) (released 1954; CD release 1990 on RCA)
  • Duke Ellington 1927-1934 (Nimbus) (1991)
  • Great Original Performances 1927-1934 (Mobile Fidelity (released 1989)
  • Jubilee Stomp (Bluebird) (1928–1934)

1935

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1933-35 (Classics)

1936

  • Rockin’ in Rhythm (1927–1936) (Jazz Hour) (Released 1996)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1935-36 (Classics)

1937

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1936-37 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1937 (2 volumes) (Classics)

1938

1939

  • Duke Ellington Playing the Blues (1927–1939) (Black and Blue) (Released 2002)
  • The Duke’s Men: Small Groups vol. 2, 1938-1939 (Columbia/Vocalion)
  • The Blanton–Webster Band (1939–1942) (RCA/BlueBird)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1938-39 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1939 (2 volumes) (Classics)

1940s

The early 1940s saw limited output due to the recording ban, but Ellington did make annual visits to Carnegie Hall, listed below. In the January 1943 concert, Ellington introduced his first extended suite, "Black, Brown and Beige." This era also saw the appearance of the "Liberian Suite" and his highly regarded recordings featuring Jimmy Blanton and Ben Webster, "the best Ellington band" according to critic Bob Blumenthal.[1]

1940

  • On the Air
  • Duke Ellington at Fargo, 1940 Live (Vintage Jazz Classics)
  • The Duke in Boston (Jazz Unlimited)
  • The British Connection: 1933-1940 (Jazz Unlimited)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1939-40 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1940 (2 volumes) (Classics)

1941

  • Take the ‘A’ Train (Vintage Jazz Classics)
  • The Great Ellington Units (Bluebird)
  • "1941 Classics - Live in Hollywood" (Alamac)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1940-41 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1941 (Classics)

1942

1943

1944

1945

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1944-45 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1945 (2 volumes) (Classics)
  • The Treasury Shows 1943-1945 (13 double LPs) (D.E.T.S.)
  • Duke's Joint (1943–1945) (Buddha)
  • The Duke Ellington World Broadcasting Series (Circle)

1946

  • The Carnegie Hall Concerts: January 1946 (Prestige - released 1977)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1945-46 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1946 (2 volumes) (Classics)
  • The Great Chicago Concerts (Music Masters)
  • Happy Go Lucky Local (Musicraft)

1947

  • The Carnegie Hall Concerts: December 1947 (Prestige - released 1977)
  • Daybreak Express
  • Live at the Hollywood Bowl
  • Duke Ellington Vol. 4: April 30, 1947
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1946-47 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1947 (2 volumes) (Classics)
  • Duke Ellington at Ciro's (Dems)
  • Liberian Suite (Columbia)

1948

  • Live at Click Restaurant Philadelphia Vol. 1
  • Live at Click Restaurant Philadelphia Vol. 2
  • Carnegie Hall 30 November 1948
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1947-48 (Classics)
  • Cornell University (Music Masters)

1949

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1948-49 (Classics)
  • Duke Ellington at the Hollywood Empire (Storyville)

1950s

Ellington began the 1950s losing Johnny Hodges, Sonny Greer and Lawrence Brown. The second half of the 1950s, however, feature his famous "comeback" appearance at the 1956 Newport Jazz Festival, with Paul Gonsalves running through 27 choruses of "Diminuendo and Crescendo in Blue."

1950

  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1949-50 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1950 (Classics)
  • Live In Zurich, Switzerland 2.5.1950 (TCB Music)
  • Great Times! (Riverside)

1951

  • Johnny Hodges, Duke Ellington, and Billy Strayhorn All Stars (Prestige)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1950-51 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1951 (Classics)
  • Masterpieces by Ellington (Columbia)

1952

  • Ellington Uptown
  • Duke on the Air
  • The Seattle Concert
  • Live at the Blue Note (Bandstand)
  • Duke Ellington at Birdland (Jazz Unlimited)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1952 (Classics)

1953

  • The Pasadena Concert (GNP)
  • Duke Ellington Plays the Blues
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1952-53 (Classics)
  • The Chronological Duke Ellington & His Orchestra 1953 (2 volumes) (Classics)
  • Premiered by Ellington (Capitol)
  • The Duke Plays Ellington (Capitol) released on CD as Piano Reflections

1954

  • Ellington ‘55 (Capitol)
  • Dance to the Duke! (Capitol)
  • Duke Ellington Plays
  • Happy Birthday Duke! April 29 Birthday Sessions (Laserlight)
  • 1954 Los Angeles Concert (GNP)

1955

  • Ellington Showcase (Capitol)
  • Duke's Mixture (Columbia)
  • Here's the Duke (Columbia)
  • The Duke and His Men
  • Jazz Masters: 1953-1955 (EMI)
  • The Washington, D.C. Armory Concert (Jazz Guild)
  • The Complete Capitol Recordings of Duke Ellington
  • The Carnegie Hall Concerts: March 1955

1956

1957

1958

1959

1960s

In the 1960s, Ellington made recordings with a number of top stars, including Count Basie, Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald and Coleman Hawkins. He also wrote and recorded a number of suites, such as his religious "Sacred Concerts", the "Perfume Suite" and the "Latin American Suite."

1960

1961

The above two were later re-released together in 2001 by Blue Note Records as The Great Summit.

1962

1963

1964

  • Ellington '65 (Reprise)
  • Duke Ellington Plays Mary Poppins (Reprise)
  • Jazz Group 1964 (Jazz Anthology)
  • Live at Carnegie Hall 1964 (Jazz Up)
  • Harlem (Pablo)
  • All-Star Road Band (CBS)
  • At Basin Street East (Music & Arts)
  • London: The Great Concerts (MusicMasters)
  • New York Concert (Musicmasters)

1965

1966

1967

1968

1969

1970s

Ellington remained active to the end of his life, recording three final major suites in the 1970s, the "New Orleans Suite", his "Third Sacred Concert", the "Toga Brava Suite", and "The Afro-Eurasian Eclipse", his most explicit venture into what would be called "world music." His concert at Eastbourne was Ellington's final recording.

1970

1971

1972

1973

1974

Compilations

  • Complete Works: 1924-1947 (Proper UK) (2003) (40 discs)
  • Early Ellington: The Complete Brunswick And Vocalion Recordings Of Duke Ellington, 1926-1931 (GRP Records/ Verve Music Group) (3 discs)
  • The Best of Early Duke Ellington (GRP Records/ Verve Music Group) (1 disc) [1926-1931]
  • Masterpieces, 1926-1949 (Proper) (4 discs)
  • The Beginning Vol. 1 (Decca Jazz Heritage Series) (1 disc, DL 9224) [1926-1928]
  • Hot in Harlem Vol. 2 (Decca Jazz Heritage Series) (1 disc) [1928-1929]
  • Rockin' In Rhythm Vol. 3 (Decca Jazz Heritage Series) (1 disc, DL 79247) [1929-1931]
  • The Duke Box (Storyville) (2007) (8 discs)
  • The Gold Collection, 40 Classic Performances (Proper/Retro) (2 discs)
  • 1936-40 Small Group Sessions (Mosaic) (7 discs)
  • The Centennial Edition: The Complete RCA-Victor Recordings (1999) (24 discs)
  • The Complete RCA-Victor Mid-Forties Recordings (2000)
  • The Complete Capitol Recordings (Blue Note) (1999) (5 discs) [mid-1950s]
  • The Private Collection (1956–1971) (Saja) (10 discs)
  • The Reprise Studio Recordings (Mosaic) (5 discs) [early 1960s]
  • Duke Ellington's Incidental Music for Shakespeare's Play Timon of Athens, adapted by Stanley Silverman (1993). Ellington does not perform on this recording, but it includes previously unreleased compositions.

References

  1. The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide, 70.

External links