As well as the Duke's skills as pianist, composer and arranger, key sidemen, such as 'Bubber' Miley, Joe 'Tricky Sam' Nanton and Johnny Hodges were recognised as major jazz soloists. This collection spans March 1929 to February 1940, a key period for jazz in general and Ellington in particular. We concentrate on the orchestra's performances, mainly instrumental, along with some featuring singer Ivie Anderson. In late 1929, there had been a major change: Bubber Miley had gone. In his place came 'Cootie' Williams, a powerful blues player in his own right. In July 1929, the Ellington Orchestra provided the music for a Ziegfeld revue, 'Showgirl', which featured the debut of George Gershwin's, An American In Paris. The revue quickly closed, panned by critics. Ziegfeld said of Duke's contribution, "... The finest exponents of syncopated music in existence. Irving Berlin went mad about them and some of the best exponents of modern music who have heard them almost jumped out of their seats with excitement over their extraordinary harmonies and exciting rhythms." Shortly after 'Showgirl' closed, the Ellington Orchestra made it's screen debut in 'Black And Tan Fantasy', a short film. A year later, the band spent their summer break in Hollywood, filming 'Check And Double Checks' featuring radio stars Amos 'n' Andy, character's played by two white actors who appeared in blackface. The best thing about the film was the number Double Check Stomps heard here in the studio version. In February 1931, Ellington left the Cotton Club. No longer restricted to serving the club's floorshows, Ellington could explore wider musical horizons. Recorded in two parts and released as a double-sided 12 inch 78 rpm disc, Creole Rhapsody, from June 1931, represented his most ambitious work to date. From 1943 until 1948, the Ellington Band performed annually at Carnegie Hall - confirmation, if any were needed, that the Duke and his band had reached the pinnacle of showbiz success

Tracklist:

Rent Party Blues
Paducah
Harlem Flat Blues
Hot Feet
Sloppy Joe
Stevedore Stomp
Cotton Club Stomp
Arabian Lover
Saratoga Swing
Jungle Jamboree
Snake Hip Dance
Jazz Convulsions
Duke Steps Out, The
Haunted Nights
Lazy Duke
Blues of the Vagabond
When You're Smiling
Maori
Double Check Stomp
Cotton Club Stomp
Jungle Nights in Harlem
Shout 'Em Aunt Tillie
Ring dem Bells
Old Man Blues
Big House Blues
Rocky Mountain Blues
Mood Indigo
Rockin' in Rhythm
Creole Rhapsody, Pt. 1 - (Part 1)
Creole Rhapsody, Pt. 2 - (Part 2)
Mystery Song, The
It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing
Jazz Cocktail
Delta Bound
Diga Diga Doo
I Can't Give You Anything But Love
Eerie Moan
Merry-Go-Round
Sophisticated Lady
I've Got the World Upon a String
Down a Carolina Lane
Slippery Horn
Drop Me off at Harlem
Get Yourself a New Broom (And Sweep Those Blues Away)
Bundle of Blues
Stormy Weather
Hyde Park
Ain't Misbehavin'
Jive Stomp
In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree
Daybreak Express
Solitude
Troubled Waters
Moonglow
In a Sentimental Mood
Merry Go Round - (2nd Version)
Clarinet Lament (Barney's Concerto)
Echoes of Harlem (Cootie's Concerto)
Kissin' My Baby Goodnight
Oh Babe! Maybe Someday
In a Jam
I've Got to Be a Rug Cutter
Caravan
All God's Chillun Got Rhythm
Diminuendo in Blue
Crescendo in Blue
Gal from Joe's, The
I Let a Song Go out of My Heart
Braggin' in Brass
I'm Slappin' Seventh Avenue (With the Sole of My Shoe)
You Gave Me the Gate (And I'm Swingin')
Rose of the Rio Grande
When My Sugar Walks Down the Street
Gypsy Without a Song, A
Blues Serenade, A
Old King Dooji
Pussy Willow
Subtle Lament
Smorgasbord and Schnapps
Portrait of the Lion
Solid Old Man
Cotton Club Stomp
Doin' the Voom Voom
Way Low
Serenade to Sweden
In a Mizz
I'm Checkin' out Goo'm Bye
You Can Count on Me
Bouncin' Bouyancy
Sergeant Was Shy, The
Grievin'
Little Posey
I've Never Felt This Way Before
Grievin'
Tootin' Through the Root
Weely (A Portrait of Billy Strayhorn)
Killin' Myself
Your Love Has Faded
Country Girl
Solitude

UPC: 788065903626
Label: Jsp Records
Release Date: 9.25.07
Format: CD

Duke Ellington - Volume 2: From the Cotton Club to Sweden (4 CD)