WHY PEOPLE LOVE SHOPPING WITH US
NO DROP SHIPPING
In stock = ready to send
SECURE PACKAGING
Records arrive safe & sound
CLICK AND COLLECT
Simply select at checkout
WE'RE HERE TO HELP
Friendly customer support
The Duke. Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz, transcended the boundaries of time with his incomparable contributions to music. His career spanned more than five decades, during which he not only left a lasting mark on jazz, but also became a cultural icon. As a pianist, he was one of the most important inventors of the stride piano. As a composer, he wrote almost 2000 compositions (songs and suites), 100 of which soon became jazz standards. As a bandleader, he contributed to the development of swing as a big band style. Ellington's genius lay in his ability to elevate jazz from a danceable popular music form to a sophisticated art form that embraced complexity and nuance. His arrangements were intricate, emphasizing the individuality of each instrument while blending into a cohesive, harmonically rich tapestry. His compositions such as "Mood Indigo" or "Take the 'A' Train" are characterized by rich textures, harmonies and a sense of drama. Ellington's world tours as a cultural ambassador not only introduced audiences to jazz, but also challenged stereotypes about African-American musicians. His orchestra's performances were not just concerts, but cultural events that celebrated diversity and demonstrated the power of music as a universal language. In addition to countless awards, including Grammys and the Pulitzer Prize, he was also posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the United States.
Track list:
Side A
Take the "A" Train
In A Sentimental Mood
Mood Indigo
St. Louis Blues
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) [with Rosemary Clooney]
Solitude
Side B
Tenderly
Perdido
Prelude to a Kiss
Satin Doll
Haupe
Dancing in the Dark