Jazz Party


Jazz Party is a 1959 album by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra which contains a "formidable gallery of jazz stars" guesting, including Dizzy Gillespie and Jimmy Rushing. It also featured a 9-strong percussion section on two tracks.
The recording was first digitally remixed by Larry Keyes and remastered by Vlado Meller in 1987 and released on CD in the CBS Jazz Masterpieces series. A new remastering by Bernie Grundman in the early 2000s was first issued by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab.

Critical reception

Described as "an example of the ever-surprising repertoire that became characteristic of late Ellington", Jazz Party has been praised particularly for its unique percussion pieces. Village Voice reviewer Gary Giddins stated that the percussion song "Malletoba Spank" "will rattle in your brain until you die". The multi-part "Toot Suite" has been described as intriguing, though underrated, featuring strong statements from Ellington regulars and guests. Dizzy Gillespie's guest solo on "U.M.M.G." attracts much attention as well, and has been labeled both "enterprising" and "inspired".

Track listing

''"Satin Doll" and "Fillie Trillie" are included on the Columbia reissues, not on the original LP, nor on the Mobile Fidelity CD release.''

Personnel

Performance

;Guests
  • Dizzy Gillespie – trumpet on "U.M.M.G." and "Hello Little Girl"
  • Jimmy Jones – piano on "Hello Little Girl"
  • Jimmy Rushing – vocals on "Hello Little Girl"
  • Percussion section on "Malletoba Spank" and "Tymperturbably Blue"
  • *Elden C. Bailey – percussion
  • *Harry Breuer – percussion
  • *George Gaber – percussion
  • *Morris Goldenberg – percussion
  • *Chauncey Morehouse – percussion
  • *Walter Rosenberg – percussion
  • *Bobby Rosengarden – percussion
  • *Milton Schlesinger – percussion
  • *Brad Spinney – percussion

    Production

  • Irving Townsend – producer, liner notes
  • Larry Keyes – digital remix
  • Vlado Meller – remastering
  • Bernie Grundman – remastering
  • Amy Herot – production coordination