Ellington '55
Ellington '55 is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington, recorded for the Capitol label in 1953 and 1954 and released in 1955. The album features the Ellington Orchestra's performances of popular big band compositions and was reissued on CD with two bonus tracks in 1999.
Reception
The AllMusic review by Bruce Eder stated: "The tunes represented on this album were precisely what the band was playing at its dance dates... and it was material like this that was keeping the band going, filling those dates. So it is hard to argue with the album's programming, which reflected the taste of the most visible part of Ellington's audience. Additionally, what's here is quite fine in the playing".Track listing
All compositions by Duke Ellington except as indicated- "Rockin' in Rhythm" – 4:30
- "Black and Tan Fantasy" – 5:10
- "Stompin' at the Savoy" – 5:04
- "In the Mood" – 5:59
- "One O'Clock Jump" – 5:12
- "Honeysuckle Rose" – 4:17
- "Happy Go Lucky Local" – 5:33
- "Flying Home" – 6:08
- "Body and Soul" – 4:47 Bonus track on CD reissue
- "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" – 10:17 Bonus track on CD reissue
- Recorded at Capitol Studios, New York, on December 21, 1953, December 28, 1953, December 29, 1953 and at Universal Studios, Chicago on January 1, 1954, January 2, 1954, January 17, 1954, June 17, 1954, and May 18, 1955.
Personnel
- Duke Ellington – piano
- Cat Anderson, Willie Cook, Ray Nance, Clark Terry – trumpet
- Alfred Cobbs, Quentin Jackson, George Jean, Britt Woodman – trombone
- John Sanders – valve trombone
- Russell Procope – alto saxophone, clarinet
- Rick Henderson – alto saxophone
- Paul Gonsalves – tenor saxophone
- Jimmy Hamilton – clarinet, tenor saxophone
- Harry Carney – baritone saxophone, bass clarinet
- Wendell Marshall – bass
- Dave Black – drums
- Jimmy Grissom – vocal
- Billy Strayhorn – celeste