In April 1945, to promote the sale of war bonds, the Treasury Department contracted Duke Ellington to do a series of 55 min public broadcasts. This double CD contains a series of recordings from Paramount Theatre and the famous Hurricane Club complete with radio speaks and encouragements to buy bonds + bonus material and extensive liner notes.
CD 1 contains a radio broadcast from The Rehearsal Hall at Paramount Theatre, New York, June 1, 1946 plus bonus tracks from The Hurricane Club in New York, September 10, 1943.
CD 2 features a broadcast from WEEU Studios, Reading, P.A., June 8, 1946. The last tracks are again from The Hurricane Club but from September 7, 1943.
“Big bands were dying off like the dinosaurs, but Ellington transcended Swing and its era. Television was in its developmental stage and by the 1950s would supersede radio. Duke Ellington would outlive the reign of the medium that he so well mastered”, writes Ken Steiner, author of the extensive liner notes, and concludes: ”The band must have been saving its best for this broadcast, which finds them in top form.”
It is also worth noting that 2015 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of composer and pianist William “Billy” Strayhorn. His contribution to the Ellington organization can hardly be overstated and is evident on this CD, which also serves as a tribute to his genius. Not just artistically was he influential —Ellington described Strayhorn as “the eyes in the back of his head”!
CD 1 – Duke Ellington and His Orchestra
Track 1-12: Shelton Hemphill, Taft Jordan, Francis Williams, Cat Anderson, Reunald Jones (tp), Ray Nance (tp, vln, vo), Joe Nanton, Lawrence Brown, Claude Jones, Wilbur DeParis (tb), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, ts), Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwick (as), Al Sears (ts), Harry Carney (bs, cl, bcl), Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn (p1), Fred Guy (g), Oscar Pettiford (b), Sonny Greer (dr).
Broadcast, Rehearsal Hall, Paramount Theatre, NYC, June 1, 1946
Track: 13-17: Taft Jordan, Wallace Jones, Harold Baker (tp), Ray Nance (tp, vln), Joe Nanton, Lawrence Brown, Juan Tizol (tb), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, ts), Johnny Hodges (as, ss), Nat Jones (cl, as), Ben Webster (ts), Harry Carney (bs, cl, bcl), Duke Ellington (p), Fred Guy (g), Junior Raglin (b), Sonny Greer (dr), Al Hibbler (vo2).
Broadcast, Hurricane Restaurant, NYC, September 10, 1943
CD 2 – Duke Ellington and His Orchestra
Track 1-20: Shelton Hemphill, Taft Jordan, Francis Williams, Cat Anderson, Reunald Jones (tp), Ray Nance (tp, vln, vo), Joe Nanton, Lawrence Brown, Claude Jones, Wilbur DeParis (tb), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, ts), Johnny Hodges, Otto Hardwick (as), Al Sears (ts), Harry Carney (bs, cl, bcl), Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn (p1), Fred Guy (g), Oscar Pettiford (b), Sonny Greer (dr), Kay Davis, Al Hibbler (vo).
Broadcast, WEEU Studios May 4, Reading, PA., June 8, 1946
Track: 21-25: Taft Jordan, Wallace Jones, Harold Baker (tp), Ray Nance (tp), Joe Nanton, Lawrence Brown, Juan Tizol (tb), Jimmy Hamilton (cl, ts), Johnny Hodges (as, ss), Nat Jones (cl, as), Ben Webster (ts), Harry Carney (bs, cl, bcl), Duke Ellington (p), Fred Guy (g), Junior Raglin (b), Sonny Greer (dr), Betty Roché (vo1).
Broadcast, Hurricane Restaurant, NYC, September 7, 1943
Take The “A” Train
A Flower Is A Lovesome Thing
Duke Ellington Bond Promo
Main Stem
A Ghost of A Chance
Interview
In A Jam
I’m Just A Lucky So And So
Stomp, Look and Listen
Come Rain Or Come Shine
Duke Ellington Bond Promo
Things Ain’t What They Used To Be
Summertime
Jack The Bear
Sentimental Lady
In A Mellotone
Rockin’ In Rhythm
Take The “A” Train
Mood to be Wooed
Duke Ellington Bond Promo
Johnny Come Lately
They Say It’s Wonderful
Strange Love
Honeysuckle Rose
Don’t Take Your Love From Me
Duke Ellington Bond Promo
Blue On The Double
Take The “A” Train
Take The “A” Train
Come Sunday
Light
Duke Ellington Bond Promo
Lover Man
Riff Staccato
Mood Indigo
Duke Ellington Bond Promo
Riff’N’Drill
Johnny Come Lately
Emancipation Celebration
Go Away Blues
Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
Things Ain’t What They Used to Be
Related products
The Treasury Shows Vol. 8
The Treasury Shows Vol. 15
Duke At Fargo 1940
