Piano in the Background


Piano in the Background is an album by American pianist, composer and bandleader Duke Ellington, recorded and released on the Columbia label in 1960.

Reception

The AllMusic review by Thom Jurek stated: "designed to showcase a series of new arrangements for the Ellington Orchestra, it also offers the composer and bandleader as a pianist leading the band... In all, this and the two discs that were reissued as companions to this one, Piano in the Foreground and Blues in Orbit, mark a highly creative and productive time in Ellington's long career."

Track listing

All compositions by Duke Ellington except as indicated
  1. "Happy Go Lucky Local" – 3:02
  2. "What Am I Here For" – 4:08
  3. "Medley: Kinda Dukish/Rockin' in Rhythm" – 5:52
  4. "Perdido" – 6:49
  5. "I'm Beginning to See the Light" – 2:06
  6. "Midriff" – 4:29
  7. "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" – 4:33
  8. "Main Stem" – 4:15
  9. "Take the 'A' Train" – 5:33
  10. "Lullaby of Birdland" – 5:23 Bonus track on CD reissue
  11. "The Wailer" – 4:25 Bonus track on CD reissue
  12. "Dreamy Sort of Thing" – 3:56 Bonus track on CD reissue
  13. "Lullaby of Birdland" – 5:27 Bonus track on CD reissue
  14. "Harlem Air Shaft" – 4:03 Bonus track on CD reissue
Recorded at Radio Recorders, Los Angeles, on May 31, 1960, June 2, 1960, June 20, 1960, June 22, 1960, June 28, 1960, June 29, 1960, June 30, 1960, and March 3, 1961

Personnel